New platform pillar fights to hold Township-controlled costs down, presses the Province to restore fair tax deferral, and keeps seniors connected to the communities they built
LANGLEY TOWNSHIP – Langley Strong today released the latest pillar of its platform, Respect for Our Seniors, committing the team to work hard to hold the line on every cost the Township controls, to press the provincial government to restore fair property-tax deferral rates for seniors, and to better connect seniors within their own communities.
Township property taxes rose 22 per cent over the current term, while the deferral program many seniors relied on to stay in their homes was made more expensive. The pillar pairs cost commitments with connection: a guaranteed paper option for Township services, a review of snow-clearing routes, cooling centres and air-conditioning help during heat waves, dedicated seniors’ spaces in existing recreation facilities, neighbourhood small groups, and a seniors’ shuttle pilot connecting communities.
“The people who built this Township are being squeezed from every direction, and too much of that pressure is coming from their own local government,” said mayoral candidate Jay Lundgren. “Here’s our promise: we’ll work hard to hold the line on every cost the Township controls. And we’ll make sure seniors are honoured, cared for, and heard in every decision – not just on the campaign trail.”
“I spent a career as an emergency room nurse, and I can tell you what the financial squeeze looks like up close: it’s a senior choosing between their cancer medicine and food on their table.” said council candidate Teresa Townsley. “Holding the line isn’t an accounting exercise. For a lot of our neighbours, it’s the difference between health and homelessness.”
“Deferral let seniors stay in homes they had already paid for, at a fair rate, and that relief was eroded,” said council candidate Blair Whitmarsh. “We’ll press the Province to restore it and hold every Township cost as low as the books allow while we do.”
The pillar’s connection plan is built from what the Township already owns: dedicated seniors’ spaces in existing recreation centres, small neighbourhood groups in every community, and a pilot shuttle to link them – so a senior without a car can still get to the people they know.
“Loneliness hits a senior as hard as any bill,” said council candidate Lauren Chalus. “The spaces already exist. We’ll open them to seniors’ groups in every neighbourhood, and run a shuttle pilot so people can actually get there. It’s a promise we can keep close to home, and it changes someone’s whole week.”
Respect for Our Seniors 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. The full platform is at LangleyStrong.ca.
Media Contact
Karen Zukas
Media Relations, Langley Strong
Email: media@langleystrong.ca
