Together for White Rock municipal election candidates couldn’t have asked for a better backdrop than the picture-perfect, blue sky, sunny day on Friday, when they announced their run for city council.
Gathered at the seaside city’s iconic pier, the team slate announcement drew a crowd of supporters, curious passers-by and three former mayors: Darryl Walker, Judy Forster and Gordie Hogg.
Walker introduced the candidates after an Indigenous welcome and blessing from Kweti Sel Kanem (Tyler Whitley) with Semiahmoo First Nation.
Current city councillor Susan Bains, who won her seat in a byelection last year along with Anthony Manning, announced that she is running for mayor, backed by a Together for White Rock slate that includes Manning as well as current councillors David Chesney and Christopher Trevelyan.
Former Laura’s Coffee Corner owner Laura Cornale and UBC political scientist Conrad King complete the slate.
Bains announced that her vision is for White Rock to become Canada’s most livable city, before sharing why she’s running for mayor.
“I believe in leadership that listens. As a city councillor, I have worked to ensure that residents are heard before decisions are made. When there was significant public concern about the official community plan, I paused the process to make sure that our residents had more time to understand it,” she told the gathered crowd. “I have worked to ensure that residents, youth, and seniors have a voice in shaping our community and have a seat, because representation matters. As your mayor, I will continue to ensure feedback is heard before major decisions are made. And that the city remains open, transparent, and responsive.”
She hopes to build a White Rock that is for everyone, she continued.
“To achieve (Canada’s most livable city), we must focus on three priorities: a vibrant city, a responsible community, and a White Rock that is for everyone,” she said.
Cornale spoke next, introducing herself and explaining she has experienced White Rock as a business owner and resident for years.
“I am not a politician. I’m a mother, a small business owner, a volunteer, and a resident who deeply cares about this community,” she said. “I believe in listening first, leading with integrity and putting residents at the centre of the decision-making.”
Chesney, who spoke right before a train passed, noted he’s a three-term councillor and has been the odd man out for those terms “by my own doing.”
“Lo and behold, a few months back something magical happened. We had a byelection … we had four votes at city council and I’ve seen what can happen with four votes at city council,” he said. “So that excited me and I said (to my wife) ‘You know what? I’m going to go one more term with your blessing.’ So, I’m very proud to stand here as the train rings … I couldn’t be prouder to stand with this group and together we will make White Rock everything that you and I believe it can be.”
King introduced himself and noted he’s a family man as well as a political scientist and lecturer who lives in the community.
“Over the last five years, I’ve learned that this is the place that I want to raise a family and live forever. I think White Rock is special. It’s special because of the place; it’s also special because of the people. And I think I can be of service to the people of White Rock,” he said, adding that, if elected, he would use “my expertise in public policy to help build a more sustainable and inclusive community.”
Manning, who served one term on council before being elected again in the 2025 byelection, said if elected, his goal would be to listen to the city’s residents and to work with his council colleagues.
“The six of us may not always agree, and you may not always agree with me, but it’s important to find that middle ground to make sure that we can move forward, because White Rock does desperately need to change,” Manning said. “What that change looks like is entirely up to you. So please, continue to support us through the summer and on to (the election).”
Trevelyan, a two-term councillor, noted he’s also a family man with young children.
“I fundamentally believe that residents have a right to have a say in their community, their city. I’ve got three kids. … This is where we live. This is our home,” he said. “I want to make the city a place where they can live, where I want to make (sure there’s) development that fits into White Rock. I want streets to be clean. I want safe.”
Trevelyan also noted that although Together for White Rock is a slate, they’re not bound to always vote the same way.
“This is very important for us. We’re not into vote-block voting. That’s not what we’re about,” he shared. “We’re joined together and we have different opinions. … We’re here united on the same slate because we all respect each other and we’re going to agree to disagree or agree to agree, and go home and be respectful to each other and be positive and supportive, because everyone here is running for you guys because we all really believe in White Rock.”