New platform pillar sets the goal of making Langley the most child-friendly community in the Lower Mainland, with a housing test for the next generation

LANGLEY TOWNSHIP — Langley Strong today released the latest pillar of its platform, Respect for Our Children & Young People, setting a clear goal: make Langley the most child-friendly community in the Lower Mainland — and a place its kids can afford to stay.

The pillar commits the team’s councillors and school trustees to advocate as one voice from day one for new schools in Willoughby and Brookswood and faster provincial approvals. It makes Township recreation facilities free for children under 12 and extends the teen Fun Pass beyond summer — funded by out-of-town user fees and sponsorships rather than the tax bill. It builds a childcare pipeline of identified sites, streamlined approvals and discounted permits for licensed providers, invests in playgrounds, parks and safe sidewalks in every community, creates a Langley Youth Council, and applies one test to every housing decision: can our kids make a life here?

“Ask anyone who grew up here what they remember — a field, a pool, a school, a street safe enough to walk,” said mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren. “Every Langley kid deserves that childhood. And when they’re grown, they deserve a shot at building a life in the community that raised them. Both halves of that promise are in this pillar.”

“Willoughby is a community full of children — they’re on every street in my neighbourhood,” said council candidate Shumail Javed. “Langley’s school trustees have delivered: more than 5,000 new school spaces since 2024, more than Surrey added in the same time. Now imagine Council pushing with them, as one team, from day one. That’s how Willoughby and Brookswood get their next schools even faster.”

“Free rec admission for kids under 12 isn’t a luxury. It’s the cheapest investment in healthy kids a community can make, and we’re paying for it with out-of-town user fees and sponsors, not your taxes,” said council candidate Barb Martens.

“Too many Langley families are still stuck on childcare waitlists,” said council candidate Teresa Townsley. “We’ll treat it as a priority: identified sites, sped up approvals, and lower fees for licensed providers. A community that wants young families has to make room for their kids.”

Respect for Our Children & Young People is one of ten pillars Langley Strong is releasing ahead of the October 17 municipal election. The full pillar is at LangleyStrong.ca/Platform.

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About Langley Strong

Langley Strong is a team of Township of Langley residents running to restore respect at Township Hall: mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren and council candidates Lauren Chalus, Shumail Javed, Margaret Kunst, Barb Martens, Kim Richter, Teresa Townsley and Blair Whitmarsh, and with trustee candidates Candy Ashdown, Kathie Dalziel, Holly Dickinson, Charlie Fox, Neil Turner and Tony Ward. The full platform is at LangleyStrong.ca.

Media Contact

Karen Zukas
Media Relations, Langley Strong
Email: media@langleystrong.ca