It makes more sense for White Rock to join Surrey.
White Rock has historically been a part of Surrey and it would be just returning to its Motherland.
White Rock residents would benefit from access to greater civic programs, services, and lower taxes if they join Surrey because of the larger tax base Surrey has.
White Rock already depends on Surrey for essential services such as the K-12 education system where White Rock has one seat on the Surrey Board of Education. If White Rock joined Surrey it could theoretically elect more than one representative to the school board and Surrey council through our at-large electoral system.
Surrey is on the rise and will soon be the largest city in the province. This will bring additional benefits for the city as it flexes its muscle in Victoria and Ottawa.
Last, splitting wealthy parts of the city from poorer areas is an American socio-economic disaster that we don’t need in Canada. The poorer areas don’t have a sufficient tax base to provide basic services while the wealthy areas attract more crime and social problems from the surrounding areas.
It makes more sense for White Rock to join Surrey because it will bring more safety and security to the region and reduce inequality. It will also bring administrative efficiencies and greater civic programs, services, and lower taxes for White Rock residents.
The province should pass legislation to return White Rock to the City of Surrey sooner rather than later.
Alex Sangha, Delta
