White Rock City Council Accomplishments (2022–2025)
A Message from Elaine
Oct 31, 2025
Over the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on White Rock Council with colleagues who shared a commitment to getting things done. Together, we focused on delivering meaningful results for our city, always guided by one principle: govern for all of White Rock. That means making decisions that support families, seniors, businesses, and young people, and planning not just for today, but for the future.
As we enter a new chapter with fresh perspectives at the Council table, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what’s been accomplished. From housing and infrastructure to community spaces, climate action, and transparent governance, we tackled long-standing challenges and laid the foundation for a stronger, more vibrant White Rock.
Affordable Housing Strategy Finally Delivered
As Chair of the Housing Advisory Committee, I led the development of White Rock’s first Affordable Housing Strategy after the previous council failed to get it done. We spent over 18 months crafting this 10-year action plan, which Council approved in early 2025.
Why it matters: It provides a clear roadmap with concrete actions (21 in total) to encourage diverse and affordable housing options for seniors, families, and workers. In a city with high housing costs, this strategy is crucial; it shows we are serious about helping people who want to live, work, or retire in White Rock find a place to call home. By filling this policy gap, we positioned the city to leverage provincial and federal housing programs and to guide developers toward providing more rental and affordable units.
Enabling Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH)
In response to BC’s new housing legislation, Council updated White Rock’s zoning bylaw in June 2024 to allow gentle density – duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes – in traditional single-family areas. These changes were adopted ahead of the provincial deadline and included adjustments to the Official Community Plan’s design guidelines to streamline approvals. This work ensures White Rock aligns with provincial housing goals while supporting more diverse, attainable housing options in our community.
Why it matters: This change opens the door to more diverse housing options, like duplexes and triplexes, for young families, couples, and downsizers, while respecting the character of existing neighbourhoods. By setting clear size and design guidelines, Council ensured that new multiplexes would integrate well and enhance the community. It’s a thoughtful way to gently increase housing supply without relying on high-rises. And by updating our policies ahead of the provincial deadline, White Rock retained control over how these changes are implemented, balancing provincial goals with local values.
Reducing Permit Wait Times (from Years to Weeks)
Under the previous council, development permits were backlogged 2+ years due to poor staff morale and turnover. People saw White Rock as a difficult place to work and do business. Our council turned this around in 2023. We improved workplace culture at City Hall (leadership sets the tone, and we made sure staff felt respected and supported), brought in consultants to help process the backlog, and hired new staff to fill vacancies as our reputation recovered. By late 2023, the backlog was largely cleared. Now, many permits that once took 24+ months are being issued in a matter of weeks or a few months.
Why it matters: Getting housing and renovation projects approved faster keeps our city moving forward. It reduces frustration for residents and builders, and it shows that White Rock is open for responsible, well-planned growth. Just as important, by restoring a positive workplace, we attracted and retained talented staff – resulting in better service for everyone. This transformation proved that respectful leadership and adequate resources lead to real results: shorter wait times, happier staff, and a “City Hall that works” for the community.
North Bluff Corridor Planning
In late 2024, Council unanimously prioritized a strategic study of future growth along North Bluff Road. Staff worked tirelessly for months, with public meetings, surveys, and coordination with Surrey, to craft a comprehensive plan focusing on new development near the Town Centre and the hospital (where transit and services are close). By October 2025, a detailed North Bluff Corridor Plan was ready as part of a broader OCP amendment. It considered potential zoning for higher buildings along the North Bluff Corridor and where mixed-use or residential projects could go in synergy with Surrey’s Semiahmoo Town Centre across the street.
Why it matters: Growth is coming, and responsible growth means directing it to the right places. By focusing on potential new housing and businesses along North Bluff (a major road and transit route) and near our hospital, we can protect our quiet residential neighbourhoods from overdevelopment. This approach supports small businesses uptown, plans infrastructure upgrades where they’ll be needed, and keeps our hillside and waterfront from being shadowed by towers. In short, it’s proactive planning to ensure any density increases happen in a smart, targeted way, preserving the charm and liveability of White Rock’s other areas. (This study was integrated with the OCP update below to meet regional and provincial planning requirements.)
Official Community Plan (OCP) Update 2025 – (Deferred by New Council)
In 2025, Council undertook a major update of White Rock’s Official Community Plan (OCP), as mandated by the Province of BC. All municipalities were required to align with new provincial housing targets by December 31, 2025. Over seven months, City staff led a comprehensive review, incorporating public feedback, expert input, and key housing and infrastructure policies, to produce this amendment.
The proposed update included new policies for affordable rental and seniors’ housing, a dedicated “Hospital Zone” around Peace Arch Hospital, integration of the Affordable Housing Strategy, and updated infrastructure plans. It laid out a vision for White Rock to 2045, complete with land-use maps and growth projections.
At the first meeting for two newly elected councillors on October 20, 2025, the Council voted to defer the amendment, requesting a two-page summary and additional public engagement, despite extensive consultation already completed.
Why it matters: This OCP update was designed to guide White Rock’s growth responsibly and sustainably, while keeping planning decisions local and community-informed. It addressed housing diversity, height limits, transit-oriented development, park expansion, and infrastructure funding in one cohesive plan. Deferring it at this stage risks missing the provincial deadline, which could result in the Province stepping in to impose changes.
The work is done. The public was consulted. The path forward is clear. Picking this plan back up would ensure White Rock grows with the services, amenities, and vision needed to support future generations.
Dogs on the Promenade – Early Morning Access
Why it matters: This policy directly responds to residents who, for years, have asked to enjoy our beautiful waterfront with their dogs. Now, responsible pet owners can take their morning walks by the sea, while the promenade remains dog-free during the busier daytime hours for those who prefer it that way. It’s a thoughtful compromise that makes our public spaces more inclusive without causing conflict. By showing flexibility and running a pilot first, we demonstrated that evidence-based, balanced policy can create win-win solutions. Many dog owners have expressed their gratitude, and early mornings on the promenade are now a joyful time for both people and pups, all without detracting from others’ enjoyment the rest of the day.
Generations Playground Splash Pad
I voted to approve the construction of the new splash pad at Generations Playground in Centennial Park, which officially opened in August 2025. This interactive water play area was made possible through community support: the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation and White Rock Firefighters Charity each contributed funding, so the City didn’t shoulder the full cost.
Why it matters: The splash pad is a wonderful new amenity for families and kids in White Rock. It provides a fun, safe, and free way to cool off in the summer, right in our largest park. Because it’s wheelchair-accessible and designed for all ages, it embodies our values of inclusivity and active living. Importantly, by partnering with community groups to fund it, we delivered this project without heavily burdening taxpayers. It’s a win on all fronts: healthier play options for residents, a more attractive city for young families, and a great example of how collaboration can bring new facilities to life.
Arts & Culture Infrastructure Concept Plan
Bringing Back the Night Market
I proudly supported the return of White Rock’s Friday Night Market in 2025. After a small trial run in 2024, we held five Night Market events monthly from May to September 2025, turning Memorial Park (by the pier) into a lively marketplace with food trucks, local vendors, live music, and a beer garden.
Why it matters: Events like the Night Market make our city more vibrant and fun. They stimulate the local economy, giving entrepreneurs a platform and drawing customers to nearby restaurants and shops, and they create a community gathering space that was much needed, especially after the pandemic years. On warm summer Friday evenings, thousands of people (residents and visitors alike) strolled the waterfront, enjoying diverse foods and entertainment. That’s good for business and for community spirit. It shows that by supporting and permitting innovative events, we can energize public spaces and reinforce White Rock’s reputation as a lively seaside destination.
White Rock Culture Crawl – Growing Our Arts Scene
A major cultural initiative that flourished under our Council is the annual White Rock/South Surrey Culture Crawl. It began in 2022 as a small studio tour and expanded each year. By 2025, it featured over 28 local galleries, studios, and pop-up art venues across the city. I actively supported and promoted this event, which stems from the Cultural Strategic Plan, a document I helped create as a committee member from 2018 to 2022.
Why it matters: Arts and culture are the heart of a vibrant community. The Culture Crawl showcases local artists and performers, turning the entire city into an art gallery for a weekend. It attracts visitors in the fall (boosting tourism in the shoulder season) and gives residents a chance to discover the creative talent in their own backyard. Its rapid growth – more venues and attendees every year – shows that there’s a strong appetite for the arts in White Rock. By executing this idea from our Cultural Plan, we’ve strengthened White Rock’s identity as a cultural hub and provided opportunities for artists to thrive. The success of the Culture Crawl demonstrates our commitment to implementing existing cultural strategies instead of leaving them on a shelf.
Public Art Murals on the Waterfront
As Vice-Chair of the Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee (PACAC), I helped drive a project to add three new murals along our waterfront. Our committee selected local artists’ designs (including the “City by the Sea” mural by Rory Doyle) and recommended them to Council, which approved the installations in 2025. Now, colourful murals adorn the West Beach parkade and the East Beach Balsam Comfort Centre.
Why it matters: Public art adds colour, character, and a sense of place to our city. These murals celebrate White Rock’s heritage and natural beauty. They’ve turned walls into beloved landmarks that residents point out with pride. They also create a more engaging experience for visitors (many people stop to take photos with the art, which in turn promotes our city on social media). This initiative shows our follow-through on the Cultural Strategic Plan and Waterfront Enhancement Strategy. We took concrete action to enhance the visual appeal of Marine Drive, rather than just talking about it. Supporting local artists and beautifying our city at the same time is a big win in my books.
Wayfinding Improvements & Plan Execution
One of our guiding philosophies was to execute existing plans, not endlessly create new ones. A great example: the City’s Marine Drive Waterfront Enhancement Strategy (2019) and Economic Development Strategy both called for better signage and amenities to support tourism and walkability. Rather than commissioning another study, our Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee (PACAC) formed a Wayfinding Working Group in 2024 to act on those recommendations.
By summer 2025, new wayfinding signs were installed at key hillside walkway entrances, including Helen Fathers Centre Street Walkway, Cypress Street Walkway, Foster Street Walkway, and Vidal Street Walkway, helping residents and visitors navigate between Uptown and the waterfront.
We also advanced other quick wins: a pilot decorative utility box wrap and ongoing support for the Pop-Up Town Art Gallery. Work on pop-up storefront galleries continues with the BIA.
Exploration of a Community Recreation Space
Winter Warming Shelter (Challenges Faced)
In late 2023, Council opened a daytime winter warming centre at Centennial Park to support vulnerable residents during the coldest months. The shelter operated from November 2023 through March 2024 and provided over 3,800 person-visits of warmth and safety. Initially funded with support from Surrey, the second year’s costs fell entirely on White Rock taxpayers, despite this being a provincial responsibility. The shelter faced challenges: many users came from outside the city, some caused safety concerns, and local homeless residents reported avoiding the site. RCMP also noted difficulties policing inside the privately run facility. Due to these factors, Council chose not to reopen the shelter for winter 2024/25 until a better model or location could be found.
Why it matters: We took bold action to address a humanitarian need. For those winters, people who would otherwise be outside had a warm place to go, likely preventing tragedies. It showed compassion and regional leadership. At the same time, we faced the realities and listened to community feedback when problems arose. A key learning is that any future shelter must be carefully planned for both client safety and neighbourhood impact. I include this here because it illustrates our Council’s willingness to try innovative solutions to help those in need, even if the first try isn’t perfect. We didn’t shy away from a complex issue; we tackled it, learned from it, and remained transparent about the outcome. That’s how progress is made on tough social challenges.
Semiahmoo First Nation Drainage MOU
In August 2025, White Rock and the Semiahmoo First Nation signed a historic Drainage Memorandum of Understanding, an agreement that had eluded previous Councils for years. This breakthrough paved the way for a $9.86 million joint infrastructure project to upgrade stormwater systems along Marine Drive, benefiting both communities. With federal, provincial, and city funding secured, the project will install larger storm drains and outfalls to address chronic flooding on Marine Drive and the adjacent SFN reserve. Work is set to begin soon, marking a major step forward in collaboration and infrastructure resilience.
Why it matters: This agreement is a milestone for White Rock, not just in infrastructure, but in relationship-building. It will reduce flooding, improve water quality in the bay, and protect our waterfront as climate impacts intensify. Just as importantly, it signals a new era of trust and teamwork between White Rock and the Semiahmoo First Nation. By working together, we unlocked nearly $10 million in funding, something neither community could have achieved alone. This project reflects our Council’s commitment to reconciliation, collaboration, and long-term planning that benefits residents, businesses, and the environment.
Johnston Road Infrastructure Upgrade
We fast-tracked the long-delayed replacement of aging water and sewer lines under Johnston Road (between Russell and Thrift Ave). The previous council had postponed this critical work, which only increased costs and the risk of a major failure. Early in our term, we gave the go-ahead to get it done in 2024. Crews dug up Johnston Road, replaced decades-old pipes, and then fully repaved and restored the street within months. We made sure to coordinate this so it happened in one go, rather than repeated disruptions.
Why it matters: Johnston Road is the heart of our city. If those 60-year-old pipes had burst, it would have been a disaster for businesses and residents (imagine a flood on our main street and emergency road closures). By acting proactively, we protected taxpayers from catastrophe and liability. We also saved money in the long run, doing it now avoided even higher construction costs later or costly emergency repairs. Plus, the new pavement and crosswalks have made the street smoother and safer. This was about taking responsibility rather than kicking the can down the road. The successful completion of this project means our Uptown core is now on solid footing, infrastructure-wise, for decades to come.
Traffic Safety Improvements (Oxford & More)
Our Council made pedestrian safety a priority, implementing several small but important fixes:
- We installed a much-needed pedestrian crosswalk with flashing beacons at Oxford Street & Russell Avenue in 2024, near the Evergreen retirement home. This was cost-shared with TransLink and now provides a safe crossing for seniors and transit riders on that busy stretch.
- After hearing from many residents about near-misses and speeding concerns, we approved converting the Thrift Avenue & George Street intersection into a full 4-way stop in mid-2024. Previously, only George Street had stop signs, making it difficult and risky for drivers and pedestrians to cross Thrift. Although a traffic study showed the intersection did not meet traditional volume “warrants” for an all-way stop, Council prioritized safety and acted on community feedback. Since then, traffic has noticeably slowed. It’s now safer and easier to cross the street, and residents have reported improved visibility and calmer driving behaviour.
- We partnered with the City of Surrey on plans to improve the Oxford Street & North Bluff Road intersection. This will add dedicated turn lanes and improved traffic signals at the White Rock-Surrey border, an upgrade currently in design. It’s a joint effort to tackle a congestion and safety hotspot that spans both cities.
Why it matters: Each of these changes responds to community safety needs. The Oxford crosswalk addressed a dangerous gap. The Thrift & George 4-way stop signs might have prevented a serious accident; it certainly calmed traffic in a dense pedestrian area. And working with Surrey on Oxford/North Bluff means we’re solving a border problem together, rather than each side ignoring it. Not every solution is a mega-project; sometimes, simple measures like a crosswalk or stop sign save lives and improve daily quality of life. We made sure not to overlook those.
Cycling/Walking Path – Buena Vista Active Transportation Project
Under our Council’s watch, White Rock secured a $500,000 grant from B.C.’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program to build a new bi-directional bike lane and multi-use path on Buena Vista Avenue. This project spans 400 metres between Johnston Road and Best Street, creating a safe east-west route for cyclists and pedestrians. It was identified as a high priority in our Integrated Transportation & Infrastructure Master Plan (ITIMP) and dovetails with upgrades to aging sewer and drainage lines under the roadway.
Why it matters: This project shows how smart planning and strategic funding can deliver multiple benefits at once. By securing a major provincial grant, we created a safer, more accessible east-west route for cyclists and pedestrians, while also upgrading aging underground infrastructure. It’s a textbook example of how our Council prioritized action: we didn’t just talk about sustainability and mobility, we built it into the street. And by aligning with our long-term Transportation Master Plan, we ensured this wasn’t a one-off; it’s part of a bigger vision for a connected, walkable, and climate-resilient White Rock.
Pier Accessibility Upgrades
In 2024, Council approved a project to make the iconic White Rock Pier more accessible for those using mobility aids. Originally scheduled for 2025, the initiative was accelerated after staff successfully secured a $25,000 accessibility grant, along with additional funding from other sources. This allowed us to move forward in June 2024 with installing a durable mat along one side of the pier’s wooden deck. By late summer, the mat was in place, creating a smooth surface for wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers. The total cost was approximately $115,000, covered through a mix of grants and city funds.
City-Wide Parking Strategy & Technology Upgrades
Greener Parks & Clean Beaches
We took several steps to make White Rock cleaner and greener:
- Partnered with the Lower Mainland Green Team on multiple habitat restoration events. Over the past three years, thousands of native trees and shrubs have been planted in city parks like Ruth Johnson Park. These volunteer-driven events not only expand our urban forest (providing shade and absorbing CO₂) but also educate and engage the community in environmental stewardship. We even joined forces for the city’s first Beach & Street Cleanup Day in July 2024, where volunteers removed litter from the waterfront, a practice now being continued to keep our beaches clean.
- Virtually all regular park maintenance is now done with electric-powered equipment. This transition was initially driven by our Climate Action commitments and a Council directive in 2022, and it has delivered tangible benefits: quieter parks, healthier working conditions, and a small reduction in emissions. Residents can literally hear and smell the difference in our parks now, and that’s a great advertisement for White Rock’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
- Expanded electric vehicle charging infrastructure. We installed new public EV charging stations at locations like Centennial Arena and the Uptown parkade, and updated older chargers to faster tech. This supports residents and visitors who drive EVs and aligns with our Master Transportation Plan’s sustainability goals. Additionally, we added two electric vehicles to the City’s own fleet for bylaw and parking enforcement, replacing older gas cars.
Why it matters: These initiatives might not grab headlines individually, but together they make White Rock a more sustainable, healthy city. Planting trees and restoring habitat help fight climate change and beautify our community, and because we involve volunteers, it builds community pride and knowledge of nature. Switching to electric equipment lowers our carbon footprint and eliminates the roar of gas engines in the morning (a small quality-of-life improvement neighbours immediately appreciated!). More EV chargers encourage the shift to cleaner cars by addressing “range anxiety,” contributing to provincial climate targets and cleaner air locally. In essence, we didn’t just talk about environmental action; we implemented practical changes to lead by example. These efforts ensure that White Rock is doing its part to protect the planet and preserve the beauty of our “City by the Sea” for future generations.
Regional Transit Advocacy – Bus Rapid Transit
Recognizing that traffic is a regional issue, our Council became a strong advocate for better transit. We supported and lobbied for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service to White Rock. In 2023, we endorsed TransLink’s plan for a rapid bus line from White Rock to Surrey Centre (connecting to SkyTrain) and made sure White Rock’s interests were represented at the Mayor’s Council and Metro Vancouver. Thanks in part to that advocacy, a BRT route linking White Rock via 152 Street/King George Blvd is now in TransLink’s ten-year priorities, bringing fast, frequent transit one step closer to our residents.
Why it matters: For too long, White Rock felt “off the beaten path” in terms of transit. Supporting BRT means giving our residents a fast, reliable alternative to driving, reducing local traffic and greenhouse gas emissions. When the BRT arrives, someone in White Rock will be able to reach the SkyTrain in Surrey in a fraction of the current bus time. That’s transformative for commuters, students, and seniors who don’t drive. By pushing for this, we ensured White Rock’s voice was heard and that we’ll benefit from the region’s move toward rapid transit. It underscores a theme of our work: think beyond our borders. Good transportation is key to our local economy and livability, and we weren’t content to be left out. BRT will be a game-changer, and I’m proud we laid the groundwork to make it happen.
Public Swimming Pool Initiative – Planning Aquatic Facilities
Modernizing the Development Process
In 2025, we passed a new Development Procedures Bylaw that overhauled and modernized how planning and permit applications are handled. This replaced an outdated patchwork of rules with a clear, transparent process. We set out definitive steps and timelines for each type of application and gave staff more authority to approve straightforward projects that comply with all bylaws (so that minor permits no longer wait for Council meetings). We also improved how the City consults the public on development, making notification areas more consistent and documents easier to access.
Why it matters: City Hall should be easy to navigate for everyone, whether you’re a homeowner building a deck or a company constructing a small apartment. The new bylaw brings clarity, consistency, and efficiency. Applicants know what information they need to provide and roughly how long each step will take, which reduces frustration and costly delays. By delegating routine approvals to staff, Council can focus on bigger policy issues, and projects that follow the rules aren’t needlessly held up. Overall, this boosts fairness and trust: decisions will follow a transparent process rather than feeling arbitrary. It’s a foundational change that will make development in White Rock more predictable and community-friendly.
Transparency & Accountability
Over the past term, Council strengthened transparency and public engagement at City Hall. We continued publishing Council voting records, making it easier for residents to see how each councillor voted on key decisions. While this began under the previous Council, we ensured it remained consistent and accessible.
We also improved communication. After each meeting, staff posted “Council Highlights” in plain language, and Mayor Knight released her “Your City Catchup” video series following every Council meeting to explain key decisions directly to the public. Livestreaming continued, and the video archive was enhanced to make it easier for residents to find and watch specific agenda items.
To encourage public participation, we maintained an online Q&A system for Council meetings, allowing residents to submit questions remotely. Through the Talk White Rock platform, we regularly sought input on issues like budget priorities and dogs on the promenade. The City also created a searchable log of Q&A exchanges, showing how questions were answered, reinforcing transparency and follow-through.
Why it matters: Democracy works best when people are informed and engaged. By making our debates and decisions more transparent, we built public trust. Citizens shouldn’t have to dig to find out what their Council is doing; we made it easy to follow along and hold us accountable. By inviting input and questions, we signalled that City Hall is open to the community. These practices lead to better decisions and a more empowered, knowledgeable public.
Financial Stewardship & Budget Awards
We kept a close eye on fiscal responsibility. Each year’s budget was carefully managed to maintain services while keeping tax increases reasonable (around inflation level). We built up our reserves for future infrastructure needs, avoiding those “surprise” tax jumps that can happen when projects aren’t planned for. Importantly, our commitment to transparency in budgeting earned White Rock the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the GFOA for both the 2023 and 2024 budgets. This national award recognizes that our budget documents are clear, detailed, and accessible to the average citizen, a first for White Rock.
Why it matters: Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going, and to trust that it’s managed wisely. By achieving back-to-back GFOA awards, we showed that our budgeting is not only sound but also understandable and transparent. We went the extra mile to link spending to Council’s priorities and to explain the numbers in plain terms. This builds trust and informed support for city projects. And on the money side, because we were prudent (saving surplus, applying for grants, sharing costs regionally), we could afford things like the infrastructure upgrades, the new splash pad, and other enhancements without excessive tax hikes. Essentially, we lived within our means and communicated openly, which is fundamental to good governance. That strong financial foundation will benefit the city long after our term.
Community Hub – Building a New Civic Heart
Council made replacing White Rock’s outdated civic buildings a top priority. The current City Hall, built in 1962 for a population of 8,000, is now inaccessible, seismically unsafe, and unable to meet the needs of nearly 22,000 residents, with another 10,000 expected in the coming decades. While previous Councils have explored this, we were the first to have the courage to act. In 2023, we formed a Steering Committee and endorsed a multi-use hub concept. After public consultation, Council selected the existing City Hall site and began detailed planning.
Advocacy & Regional Leadership
We consistently represented White Rock at the annual Lower Mainland Local Government Association (LMLGA) conferences, ensuring our city’s voice was heard on regional issues. Through active participation and voting on key resolutions, we supported policies that directly impact White Rock, including:
- Expanding the authority for municipalities to introduce a commercial vacancy tax, a tool that could help address empty storefronts on our waterfront.
- Calling for better mental health crisis response funding from the Province, including mobile crisis teams and support for police wait times in ERs, issues our own RCMP have repeatedly flagged.
- Advocating for fair revenue sharing from provincial gaming and cannabis taxes so cities like ours can fund local services even if we don’t host a casino.
- Supporting tax exemptions for non-profit housing providers to make it easier to build affordable housing in White Rock.
- Urging the Province to take back responsibility for coastal flood infrastructure and provide dedicated climate adaptation funding, critical for our waterfront and pier.
Mayor Knight took on roles in Metro Vancouver committees, influencing decisions on regional growth and infrastructure to reflect White Rock’s context. For example, we successfully got the Metro 2050 Regional Plan to acknowledge our limited capacity for growth and not impose unrealistic development targets on our small city.
We also strengthened partnerships. Our cooperation with Semiahmoo First Nation is a prime example, from co-hosting cultural events like Semiahmoo Days to the drainage project. We treated our First Nation neighbours as true partners, not afterthoughts, which has set a positive tone for years to come.
In matters like regional transit planning, RCMP resources, or opposing potentially harmful projects just outside our borders, we made sure to speak up clearly for White Rock. We didn’t hesitate to communicate with provincial ministers or neighbouring councils when our community’s well-being was on the line.
Why it matters: White Rock may be geographically small, but we didn’t let that sideline us. By being present and vocal in regional forums, we punched above our weight and secured tangible benefits (like transit commitments and infrastructure funds) for our residents. It’s crucial that our unique voice, as a standalone city in the Semiahmoo Peninsula, is heard, so that higher levels of government remember our needs. Our advocacy helped shape policies that directly affect us and built goodwill with partners. At the end of the day, this means better outcomes for our community on big-picture issues that no city can solve alone, such as transportation, housing affordability, and public safety.
Executing Existing Strategies (Action Over Plans)
In summary,
I’m incredibly proud of what Council accomplished from 2022 to 2025. Together, we tackled long-standing challenges, acted on community priorities, and made meaningful progress across housing, infrastructure, accessibility, arts and culture, climate action, and civic engagement. We focused on responsible decisions that benefit all of White Rock -families, seniors, businesses, and future generations.
Looking Ahead
There’s still more to do. Key projects like the Community Hub, the OCP update, and climate resilience initiatives are underway, and I remain committed to seeing them through. I’ll continue asking thoughtful questions, listening to the community, and making decisions that reflect the diverse needs of our city.
Let’s keep building a White Rock that’s strong, inclusive, and ready for the future.
Thank you for reading and for being an engaged part of our community. Let’s keep the momentum going.