Can someone explain to me how I live approximately ten minutes from Canada and am apparently just now learning that we're about to be living in two different time zones?
Because here on the Washington side of the border, we're turning our clocks back an hour on November 1. You know, that wonderful annual tradition where we mess with our clocks twice a year and somehow convince ourselves this is perfectly reasonable. Meanwhile, British Columbia has apparently decided they're done participating in this nonsense. They're keeping daylight saving time year-round.
Excuse me. What?
And apparently this has been in the works since 2019. They actually passed legislation back then, but held off because they wanted to coordinate with Washington, Oregon, and California. Washington ALSO passed legislation in 2019 to make daylight saving time permanent, but we're still waiting on the federal government to allow it. British Columbia finally decided they'd waited long enough and announced back in March that they were going ahead without us.
So basically, Canada got tired of waiting for the Americans to figure out what time it is.
Fair enough, I suppose.
But here's where this gets personal. I live close enough to the Canadian border that my phone occasionally thinks I've left the country, and I often listen to a radio station that is broadcasted in both the USA and Canada while driving to the farm. Which means I regularly get to hear the traffic reports for Vancouver. Do I need to know what's happening on the Port Mann Bridge? Absolutely not. Do I know that the Lougheed Highway apparently has traffic problems? Yes. Have I ever needed this information to get to the calf barn? Not once. But at this point, I'm emotionally invested in the traffic situation of a metropolitan area in another country.
And now I know that when we turn our clocks back, I'm going to miss my Canadian traffic report on the drive to the farm. Because when it's 7 a.m. here, it'll already be 8 a.m. in Vancouver. Which means the traffic report I've become accustomed to hearing will have happened an hour earlier according to my clock. What am I supposed to do with that? Drive to work without knowing whether there's congestion on a bridge I have absolutely no intention of crossing? I've spent years being kept informed about traffic conditions in a metropolitan area I never drive through, and now Canada is just going to take that away from me? I feel like this is something that should have been discussed with those of us who are emotionally invested in the Port Mann Bridge.
Also, can we discuss how ridiculous this is going to be for those of us who live along the border? You can drive ten minutes north, cross an international boundary, and suddenly it's an hour later. Drive back home and you've traveled backward in time. Apparently the Canadian border is now also a time machine. Which, considering how long you can occasionally spend waiting at the border crossing, might actually be useful.
And then in March, we'll spring forward again and magically rejoin British Columbia in the same time zone. For approximately eight months, we'll all agree what time it is before Washington decides to go back an hour and Canada refuses to participate.
I realize there are much bigger problems in the world. I also realize that Canada is an entire country and it's specifically British Columbia making this change, not all of Canada. But when you live this close to the border, Canada isn't exactly some distant foreign land. It's practically the neighborhood. We share weather, radio stations, mountains, and occasionally cell phone service.
Apparently we just can't share a clock anymore.
Anyway. To my Canadian friends, congratulations on escaping the twice-yearly clock-changing nonsense.
And if someone could please keep me updated on the Port Mann Bridge situation this winter, I'd appreciate it. I'm concerned about losing touch with a traffic problem that has absolutely no effect on my life.
If anyone has ever wondered what the USA/Canada border looks like, the road I am on is in the USA.
The other road is in Canada. Which will soon be a different time zone.
The City of White Rock's annual Water Main Flushing Program will take place from November 2 to December 4, 2026. Water main flushing is an essential proactive measure to maintain the City's water distribution system and ensure a consistent supply of high-quality water for residents.
The 2026 Flushing Program will be carried out between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday to Friday. Timing is subject to change, and signage will be placed in areas where flushing is taking place. Benefits of the program include:
Cleaning sediment from water distribution pipes
Improving water quality and helping prevent corrosion
Identifying and addressing issues such as leaks and broken valves
Residents may notice temporary water discolouration or reduced water pressure while flushing is taking place in their area. Please contact the City's Engineering & Municipal Operations Department at 604-541-2181 if low water pressure or a water outage lasts longer than three hours.
For more information and frequently asked questions about the Water Main Flushing Program, visit whiterockcity.ca/water.
October 29, 2026
How High's The Water Mama?
During the recent civic election here in White Rock a candidate asked several questions related to water and development.
Questions and the answers below:
Has the City completed a study showing how much additional water will be required to service the number of new housing units currently proposed or anticipated under the City's growth plans?
The City’s Water Master Plan update was finalized in 2024. This document is updated every 5 years. The 2024 document used a 2050 population and ICI growth in line with Metro’s 2050 regional planning document. The 2050 population estimate for White Rock used was 27,870 and was a 2.1% increase in population from the previous (2017) water master plan. Every time this document is updated, the growth projections are updated based on most recent assumptions to ensure the City’s water infrastructure keeps up with growth.
A great population chart that staff presented to Council when updated DCCs were brought forward can be found below. It shows the growth projections assumed in each of the City’s master plans in comparison to the 2050 Metro mid and high range growth projections:
At what point would additional wells, treatment capacity, reservoirs, or water mains be required if White Rock continues to increase its population and building density?
The Water Master Plan informs the City’s capital plan allowing the City to stay ahead of growth from an infrastructure perspective. Section 7.1 in the Water Master Plan (linked above) has a table that shows supply capacity of our groundwater wells and section 7.3 speaks to storage capacity of our reservoirs. I have included snippets of the two relevant tables below. Please note that the groundwater well capacity analysis uses the conservative assumption that the largest well is out of service on the hottest day of the year, assuming climate change.
Is the City's water supply considered sustainable over the long term, particularly during periods of drought or reduced groundwater recharge?
The City has taken many steps to manage demands and promote water conservation, including:
•White Rock is universally metered and recovers costs of water service based on consumption.
•The phasing in of a new water rate structure that better rewards customers for reducing water use.
•White Rock implements seasonal watering restrictions, including escalation in response to drought conditions.
•The City tracks water distribution system leakage and watermain breaks to prioritize planned replacement of aging cast iron watermains, targeted leak detection and repair, and other measures to manage water losses.
•The recently updated Water Master Plan and Development Cost Charge Bylaw both reflect the impacts of effective demand management.
Additionally, while the Water Master Plan makes assumptions for climate change, the water conservation plan is scheduled for an update early next year. A component of that study will focus on decreasing peak usage to alleviate stress on the system that is experienced during hot/dry summers.
Will developers be required to contribute toward the additional water infrastructure required to service new high-density development, or will these costs primarily be borne by existing taxpayers and water users?
Yes, developers are required to construct frontage improvements and pay DCCs. DCCs are fees to help municipalities recover the costs of off-site infrastructure needed to support growth and are one of the many tools the City uses to fund capital projects. The City recently updated our DCCs earlier this year.
The City has previously stated that the original Well #5 had to be decommissioned because of saltwater intrusion, and that a replacement Well #5 is now being connected to the City's water system.
Yes, Well #5 was replaced and is now constructed at Centennial Park.
What is the City doing to prevent further saltwater intrusion into our aquifer, and how confident is the City that our groundwater supply will remain safe and sustainable as White Rock's population and development continue to grow?
All wells are located north of Thrift Avenue and at elevations significantly higher than the ocean. Additionally, the water conservation plan work scheduled for next year will review opportunities for demand-side management (water conservation), installation of an observation well to facilitate long-term aquifer monitoring, and collection and analysis of groundwater samples to improve understanding of groundwater recharge. The project will also review the hydraulics of the current well pumps and transmission system to identify opportunities to improve efficiency and increase infrastructure supply capacity.
October 26. 2026
UPDATE: Marine Drive Parking Lot Closure:
The closed parking lot on Marine Drive just west of the museum is scheduled to be opened OCT 30th 2026.
As a bonus, final paving is done ahead of schedule so it will NOT be closed again in Spring.
The next lot further West by Oxford will re-open later in November in time for Bright Walk.
No More Falling Back
B.C. is saying goodbye to the fall clock change, but could this Sunday November 1 bring some unexpected confusion?
For the first time, most of British Columbia won’t turn its clocks back when much of North America returns to standard time on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
B.C. will remain on permanent daylight time, meaning the time difference with several other provinces and U.S. states willÂ
October 25, 2026
The CONSERVATIVE party of BC swept last night's election.
Locally TREVOR HALFORD returns as MLA for White Rock/South Surrey.
ALL the ridings in Surrey turned CONSERVATIVE BLUE
Planning to purchase a Resident Parking Decal or Permit?
Sales for 2027 Resident Parking Decals and Permits begin next week Monday (November 02. 2026.)
Decals and permits can be purchased online, or at White Rock City Hall at 15322 Buena Vista Ave.
October 23, 2026
$275,00.00 Raised - RIDE ON!
Photo of Constable Godlien with Caitlyn
CONGRATULATIONS to White Rock RCMP Constable Carly Godlien who participated in the 2026 Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast.
Cst. Carly Godlien rode in support of Caitlyn Sears, daughter of Cst. Sears, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year, as well as in memory of Cameron Bulger, the grandson of a Community Policing Volunteer who passed away
CARLY was one of 19 lower mainland RCMP officers and first responders who rode to raise funds to fight childhood cancers. The riders weaved their ways through the Fraser valley back in September over 5 days and raised $275,000.00.
In all, $1.75 million has been raised in communities across British Columbia through the Tour de Valley, Tour de Coast, Tour de North, Tour de Rock and Pedal for Hope, with the total expected to climb as more donations are counted.
When NICKELBACK decided it was time for a new record, world tour and new videos, the first stop was an airport hanger at Delta Air Park, then the b reel (lady with the dog) was filmed in South Langley @ MARTINI TOWN.
Thought for the Day
Night Owl
Halloween Style - This year the hallowed eve falls on a Saturday and most of the local music outlets are celebrating big time.
City of White Rock The railroad helped shape White Rock, but who built it?
This photo from 1906 shows the construction of the Great Northern Railway along White Rock’s coastline.
Completed in 1909, the railway helped spur growth in the area.
Many of the workers were newcomers to Canada from East Asia, Europe, and beyond, seeking a new life in British Columbia.
As they built their futures, they helped build the community we know today.
Every train passing through White Rock is a reminder of their lasting impact.
Well that didn't take long.
A group of men displayed the white nationalist slogan ‘Remigration saves our nation’ on the steps of the legislature Sunday morning after the Provincial election.
I must admit, many people including myself were mystified and mortified that NDP Premier David Eby would call a snap election in B.C. with this election overlapping with the ongoing civic campaign Having the election dates only a week apart meant confusion over party messaging, whether candidates were running for City Hall or the B.C. Legislature, not to mention the plethora of election signs on our streets, many of which were illegally posted. It was truly ridiculous hearing Eby trying to rationalize why the election was needed only two years into his mandate with the NDP enjoying a majority in the Legislature. His initial speech trying to put the blame on US President Trump and tariffs while mentioning "The Donald" nineteen times was laughable. If you look up "TDS - Trump Derangement Syndrome" you will likely see Eby's picture with a frowning face.