FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Langley Strong welcomes Council candidate Shumail Javed and incumbent Trustee Charlie Fox to the team

LANGLEY, BC, May 26, 2026 — Langley Strong has announced two new candidates joining its team for the October 17, 2026 Township of Langley municipal election: Shumail Javed for Township Council and Charlie Fox for the Langley Board of Education. Charlie Fox is the first School Trustee candidate to be announced under the Langley Strong banner. As an incumbent Trustee, Fox brings a record of service that this team will build on.

Javed and Fox join mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren, incumbent Councillors Barb Martens, Blair Whitmarsh, Kim Richter and Margaret Kunst, and recently announced Council candidates Lauren Chalus and Teresa Townsley. The team is campaigning on three pillars: fiscal responsibility, transparent governance, and a stable future for our community.

Meet Shumail Javed

Shumail Ibrar Javed is a technology executive, community builder and proud Willoughby resident. He holds an MBA from Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business and serves as CEO of MaxQA Testing, bringing a results-driven approach to both business and community.

A member of the Langley Sunrise Rotary Club, Javed has built a record of giving back across the Township. His contributions include raising the second-highest amount of funds at last year’s Grand Parade for Langley Meals on Wheels, supporting the Giving Hearts Gala for the Langley Hospital Foundation, championing the Immigrant Women Initiative, and sponsoring the 75 Doors Campaign, which creates pathways for children’s mentorship.

After five years living in Willoughby, he has watched his neighbourhood grow quickly, while planning, infrastructure and resident input have struggled to keep pace.

“Every resident deserves to be heard before decisions are made, not after,” said Javed. “Good governance means setting priorities thoughtfully and planning carefully, not tackling everything at once while critical gaps in our neighbourhoods go unaddressed. I’m joining Langley Strong because this team puts community first, and that’s the kind of council I want to be part of.”

Meet Charlie Fox

Charlie Fox has called Langley Township home for 53 years and has dedicated his career to serving this community. He spent more than 33 years as a teacher and administrator in the Langley School District before retiring in 2007, served four terms on Township Council from 2005 to 2018, and currently is a Trustee on the Langley Board of Education.

In his current term, Fox chairs the District’s Finance and Audit Committee and is the District Parent Advisory Council trustee representative. He also represents Langley School District with Metro Vancouver Districts, the British Columbia School Trustees Association, and the BC Public School Employers’ Association. Outside of his elected role, he is involved in many community organizations and activities, and is very proud to coordinate the Starfish Backpack program in four Aldergrove-area schools, which has distributed more than 25,000 backpacks to local families.

“The Township has been my home for more than five decades, and our schools have been my life’s work,” said Fox. “I’m joining Langley Strong because this team shares the values our students, educators and families deserve: careful stewardship of public dollars, transparent decision-making, and a steady, long-term focus on student success. Our Board of Education plays a critical role in this community, and I’m proud to bring my experience to a team committed to getting it right.”

A Team Built for Langley

Mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren welcomed both candidates to the team.

“Shumail and Charlie bring exactly the kind of experience and perspective this community needs,” said Lundgren. “Shumail is a builder, professionally and in our community. He understands that strong neighbourhoods are built on careful planning, transparent priorities, and listening to residents first. Charlie has spent more than 50 years living in Langley Township and more than three decades serving our students, our schools and our Township. His judgment, his commitment to public education and his deep institutional knowledge will be invaluable on the Board of Education.”

“What unites this team is a shared set of values: principled leadership, fiscal responsibility, and a real respect for the people who live here,” Lundgren added. “Shumail and Charlie are critical thinkers who bring unique perspectives and a deep commitment to this community. I’m proud to welcome them to the team.”

Additional candidates for Council and the Board of Education will be announced in the coming weeks.

Residents interested in learning more about Langley Strong, volunteering or participating in upcoming engagement sessions are encouraged to email info@langleystrong.ca or visit www.langleystrong.ca.

About Langley Strong

Langley Strong is a registered municipal electoral organization dedicated to restoring trust in the Township of Langley. By fielding a full team of candidates for Mayor, Council and School Board, the organization aims to ensure local government operates with greater transparency, collaboration and respect for all residents.

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Media Contact

Karen Zukas
Communications Chair, Langley Strong
Email: media@langleystrong.ca