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Bill Lawrence brings decades of White Rock business and public service experience. A local entrepreneur and City Councillor, he has supported major community investments while staying focused on residents, responsible leadership and a stronger White Rock.
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Bill Lawrence
Independent for White Rock Council
Businesses & Jobs
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
The serge of AI is upon us. Let's take advantage of what it can bring, but make sure the quality of life for White Rock residents is not affected negatively.
Business Permitting
I will continue to work on getting the business permitting red tape and wait times reduced.
Economic Growth
As White Rock does not have any industrial base, the tourist economy is the sector of low hanging fruit. Expansion into the tech industry, where we attract small to medium size players should be explored.
Tourism
Doing the basics of cleaning up the city, increasing public safety and ability for residents and visitors to feel comfortable going to all of our merchants and all times of the day, is imperative.
Climate Change, Heat, Fires, & the Environment
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
The serge of AI is upon us. Let's take advantage of what it can bring, but make sure the quality of life for White Rock residents is not affected negatively.
Energy-Efficient Buildings
Having chaired the Community Hub Advisory Committee, the local professionals feel that energy efficiency should be the default position for the new structure. Energy efficiency reduces operating costs, period!
Flooding
Infrastructure upgrades that are happening as we speak on Marine Drive will help to mitigate the chances of flooding where we have seen it in the past.
Green Space
The more, the merrier. Being able to increase our parks and green spaces helps everyone in the community, both mentally and physically. I will be pushing for more green space in the city.
Private Vehicles & Parking
Ideally, we'd love to have more and more people taking public transit to get from A to B, but until that happens, more efficient use of our current parking stock should be implemented.
Neighbourhood resident parking should also be protected.
Urban Heat
Increasing our tree canopy is definitely a goal of mine. That would help significantly to reduce radiant heat caused by sunshine on pavement and asphault. Going in the opposite direction is not an option.
Walking & Cycling
Increased walking paths and opportunities to improve cycling right-of-way safety would enhance the overall getting around experience in the city.
Zoning
Zoning should follow the Official Community Plan guidelines.
Community Centres, Libraries, Parks, and Other Public Spaces
Culture & Events
Festivals & Events
I feel that our Culture and Recreation Team are doing a great job at providing festivals and events throughout the year. I'll continue to support their efforts.
Public Art
My extent of being an artist is my ability to draw stick figures, but I do have an appreciation of what good art looks like. If there are funds available to provide public art, then let's beautify the city.
Tourism
Doing the basics of cleaning up the city, increasing public safety and ability for residents and visitors to feel comfortable going to all of our merchants and all times of the day, is imperative.
Housing & Homelessness
Affordability
Some of the steps taken to provide some level of housing affordability have been reflected in the average housing prices coming down with year over year sales. Building more supply will continue the trend.
Building Maintenance & Occupant Health
Both of these items are paramount to be able to maintain the value of the asset as well as maintain the health of those who occupy the building asset. This one is pretty much a no-brainer.
Homelessness
People experiencing homelessness should be connected with housing and social supports. At the same time, our parks, sidewalks, businesses and other public spaces must remain safe and accessible for everyone.
Housing Accessibility
If this section deals with making sure housing in configured to provide easy manoeuvrability for disabled occupants, then the BC Building Code and White Rock Building Inspectors will take care of that.
Indigenous-Led Housing
As we've had an enriching relationship with Semiahmoo First Nation, there is nothing in the works to report on this topic.
Property Taxes
Property taxes take care of infrastructure, city labour costs, operational costs, etc. Having fiscal constraint and executing proper governance will keep both residential and commercial property taxes in check.
Public & Assistive Housing
Working with provincial and federal stakeholders will provide more of an opportunity to fulfill this objective. I am totally NOT in favour of mixing any type of substance use housing with seniors or families.
Rent & Rental Stock
Purpose built rentals have been a priority for the current council. I will continue the trend in order to have more rental housing units by systematically replacing our old (1960s & 1970s) stock.
Zoning
Zoning should follow the Official Community Plan guidelines.
Human Rights
Local Government, Planning, & Democracy
Artificial Intelligence & Data Centres
The serge of AI is upon us. Let's take advantage of what it can bring, but make sure the quality of life for White Rock residents is not affected negatively.
Budgeting
Being fiscally responsible and accountable to budgetary decisions should be the default position for all politicians. I have made sure that my has been keeping an eye on responsible spending.
Good Governance
Doing what is right for the community as a whole and not caving to the vocal minority, shows good governance in my opinion. Definitely hear what all have to say, but sometimes you have to make tough choices.
Long-Term Plan
Planning for twenty to fifty years down the road makes perfect sense. When the tone of the political pendulum swings from one extreme to another, diametrically opposed choices waste time and taxpayer money.
Public Engagement
I am all for more public engagement, especially in the initial stages of planning a project or program design. Taking the temperature of the public is key to getting buy-in on Council decisions.
Youth Engagement
Getting youth to get more involved in the political arena sets us all up for having future leadership that can take the political torch from us and run with it for the future.
Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction
Mental Health Crisis Response
The provincial government should've taken a more prominent and leadership role with the less than favourable treatment of this area.
Overdoses & the Contaminated Drug Supply
The provincial government should've taken a more prominent and leadership role with the less than favourable treatment of this area.
Treatment for Addiction
The provincial government should've taken a more prominent and leadership role with the less than favourable treatment of this area.
Public Safety & Policing
Non-Police-Based Public Safety
Community Policing where volunteers take on the tasks of block watch, bike patrols, speed monitoring on streets, etc. has been very successful in White Rock. Keeping a program like this has a lot of merit.
Police Funding
Safety in the community is high on the list of priorities for the majority of people in the community. Many are willing to spend more to increase the numbers of officers and their resources.
Police Wrongdoing & Accountability
Justice for all. Accountability for all.
Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations
Roads, Transit, & Getting Around
Private Vehicles & Parking
Ideally, we'd love to have more and more people taking public transit to get from A to B, but until that happens, more efficient use of our current parking stock should be implemented.
Neighbourhood resident parking should also be protected.
Walking & Cycling
Increased walking paths and opportunities to improve cycling right-of-way safety would enhance the overall getting around experience in the city.
Biography
submitted by the candidate or their team
Experience. Results. A Stronger White Rock.
For more than 38 years, Bill Lawrence has called White Rock home. Since arriving in 1988, Bill has built his life, his businesses, and his public service around one fundamental belief: White Rock is a community worth investing in—and its future must be protected and strengthened.
An entrepreneur, civic leader, and community advocate, Bill brings a unique combination of business experience, municipal government knowledge, and a proven record of getting things done.
For more than 20 years, Bill was a co-owner of the Sandpiper Pub on Marine Drive and the Sandpiper Liquor Store in the Five Corners business district. As a local business owner, he understands firsthand the challenges facing businesses, property owners, families, seniors, and working residents.
Bill has also dedicated years to public service. He served as a White Rock City Councillor from 2012 to 2018 and was elected again in 2022, bringing his experience and commitment back to Council.
During his years on Council, Bill supported investments that have helped shape the White Rock residents experience today — including:
* Memorial Park
* Waterfront Parkade
* Generations All-Ages and All-Abilities Playground and Splash Pad
* White Rock Water Treatment Plant
* Oceana PARC Independent Senior Retirement Residence
* Indoor Batting Cage at Centennial Park
* And numerous other infrastructure, recreational, and community improvements.
These projects represent more than buildings and infrastructure. They represent investments in families, seniors, children, businesses, recreation, public safety, and the long-term quality of life of our White Rock community.
I remain committed to listening, working hard, and putting our community first.
On the early voting days of October 7th, 8th, 13th, or on the main voting day October 17th, I’m asking you to vote for Bill Lawrence for City Councillor.
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