South Surrey—White Rock

South Surrey—White Rock is a federal riding in the southwestern corner of British Columbia's Lower Mainland, bordering the United States. The by-election was called following the resignation of Conservative MP Dianne Watts, who vacated the seat on September 30, 2017, after announcing she would seek the leadership of the British Columbia Liberal Party. Watts, a former longtime mayor of Surrey, had been elected to the federal seat in 2015.

Candidates

Gordie Hogg (Liberal) — Hogg was a veteran British Columbia politician who had served as the MLA for Surrey-White Rock in the BC Legislature from 1997 to 2017. During his provincial career, he served as Minister of Children and Family Development and held other cabinet roles under two premiers. He was acclaimed as the Liberal candidate.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay (Conservative) — Findlay was a former federal cabinet minister who had represented the neighbouring riding of Delta—Richmond East from 2011 to 2015. She served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice, Associate Minister of National Defence, and Minister of National Revenue in the Harper government.

Jonathan Silveira (NDP) — Silveira had previously run for school trustee as part of the Surrey Kids Matter party, which he founded. He had studied at Langara College and Simon Fraser University.

Larry Colero (Green Party) — Colero was the Green Party candidate in the by-election.

About the Riding

South Surrey—White Rock encompasses the southwestern portion of Surrey and the small seaside city of White Rock, located along Semiahmoo Bay just north of the Canada-United States border. The riding includes the Semiahmoo First Nation reserve and the communities of Crescent Beach, Ocean Park, and Grandview Heights. White Rock's iconic pier and beachfront promenade make it a popular recreational destination.

The riding has a notably older demographic profile compared to the rest of Metro Vancouver, with the largest concentration of residents over age 60 in all of Surrey. White Rock in particular is known as a retirement destination, home to numerous seniors' residences and care facilities. Peace Arch Hospital serves as both a major healthcare facility and a significant local employer. The local economy is driven by healthcare, retail, education, and service industries, with many residents commuting to jobs elsewhere in Metro Vancouver.

With a population of approximately 100,000, the riding is largely suburban and affluent. The housing market is among the most expensive in the region, driven by the area's ocean views, temperate climate, and proximity to the US border. The riding had traditionally leaned Conservative in federal elections, making it a closely watched contest in the by-election.