New platform pillar delivers community-by-community commitments

LANGLEY TOWNSHP — Langley Strong today released the latest pillar of its platform, Respect for All Our Communities, with specific commitments for each of the Township’s communities — and one rule covering all of them: every project carries a public price tag and a plan to pay for it before work begins.

The Langley Strong team is blunt about the starting point: Township debt has more than tripled in a single council term, and counting the borrowing already in progress and approved, taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $800 million – with the Township’s own 2026 capital budget putting the remaining annual debt-servicing room at roughly $11 million. That is why every promise in this pillar follows the first rule of the plan: clean up the Township’s finances. Forensic audit first, a public payback plan for the debt, so there is actually money to build with. A Township that fixes its books is a Township that can deliver for every community, affordably and in the open.

As finances allow, the pillar commits to building the Willoughby Community Centre and library, with a public price tag and a funding plan before construction starts. It also moves the Brookswood community centre and the replacement of Walnut Grove’s aging fire hall into planning, prioritizes Aldergrove’s sidewalks, lighting and police presence, works with TransLink and the Province to move heavy trucks out of Fort Langley, brings forward a long-term plan for Murrayville’s W.C. Blair pool, and prioritizes rural roads, lighting and bylaw enforcement across rural Langley.

“Every community in this Township pays taxes, and every community deserves its fair share, close to home,” said mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren. “Kids shouldn’t have to cross the Township for a swim or a ball game. And no family should learn about a big project from a press conference. Public price tag, public plan, before work begins.”

“Rural Langley is half this Township, and it is not an afterthought,” said council candidate Kim Richter. “A renewed Rural Plan, roads you can drive at night, lighting where it’s needed, and a bylaw department that shows up. That’s what respect looks like here.” 

“Willoughby is full of young families and people who moved here for a fresh start, and they are still waiting for a community centre and a library,” said council candidate Shumail Javed. “As soon as finances allow, we’re going to build them. And you’ll see the price tag and the plan to pay for it before the first shovel goes in, because a promise you can’t pay for isn’t good for anyone.”

“In Aldergrove, respect looks like the little things done first — sidewalks you can push a stroller down, potholes filled, streets lit, police you actually see,” said council candidate Margaret Kunst. “And it means the recreation facilities Aldergrove families need, close to home. Big promises are easy. Showing up is the job.”

“W.C. Blair has taught generations of Langley kids to swim, and Murrayville has earned better than watching it age out,” said council candidate Lauren Chalus. “Its hours were cut for COVID — and COVID is long past. We’ll restore the hours families count on, and build the pool’s long-term plan with the people who use it.”

Respect for All Our Communities is one of ten pillars Langley Strong is releasing ahead of the October 17 municipal election. The full pillar, with commitments for every community, 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. The full platform is at LangleyStrong.ca.

Media Contact

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