langleywatchdog…. and more!

In an unheard-of overreach by the NDP government has refused the TOL’s request for an extension in consideration of the serious deficient infrastructure issue which prevents municipalities to meet the government’s demand for even more housing than what they are accepting at present!

This action MUST be challenged by you the voter in this year’s B.C. Election if you want to protect your Municipality and community’s quality of life – reject the NDP!

Threats rather than communication, dialogue / discussion is NOT acceptable!!

The centrally controlled Eby administration, took what can only be described using a sledge hammer to kill a flea on the shortage of housing issue, (I describe it as being brain dead!) The community ramifications of their new housing policy in Bills 44, 46 and 47 cannot be willingly accepted by us, the Township taxpayer and voter!

In a media interview Eby conducted well before the introduction of these new Bills, after his public comments about what was to come, the media asked – “What about Parking”? His answer was “I am not worried about parking I am only worried about housing”? What world does David Eby live in?

To be clear, Municipal Government is a product of the Provincial Government; they have full control over what municipalities can and cannot do, however, I would argue Municipal Governments are the hallmark of our democracy and much closer to the people. Using a heavy -handed approach against a community’s democratic rights, without consultation, discussion and negotiation, is an outrageous act. – they should, and hopefully will pay the price! Disregarding each municipalities uniqueness, wishes and more, should leave all of us completely outraged and activated going into this year’s election.

The imposition of Bills 44,46, and 47 is the creation of a centralized campaign by Minister Ravi Kahlon and Premier David Eby who haven’t had one day of experience in Municipal elected office or on the issues faced by municipal governments and obviously haven’t spent a second of time considering the investments the public have made in their housing choice. It will not decrease the price of housing, but then why let the facts get in the way of a good story?

Minister Ravi Kahlon quote: Langley Advance Times (Mathew Claxton) – B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon stated “that doesn’t mean the end of the traditional single-family home just yet.” That statement sure gives you confidence, doesn’t it? NOT!

Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward quotes: Woodward likened the legislation to “surgery on housing policy using a chainsaw”! A very appropriate comment! “When they take these policies and drop them on the whole province, they’re really ignoring the nuance of how different communities do development differently…. By ignoring that they are going to cause a lot of damage.” “Provincial politicians are not going to prevent me from listening to my community.”

NDP Social Engineering is back with a vengeance as I stated in my previous BLOG Post. What do I mean by that? “The imposition of changes to our society’s norms, expectations, and wishes drastically changing universally accepted rules surrounding the make-up of our communities without due political process.” It removes your duly elected government’s ability to serve your needs and wishes properly!

In the case of the Township of Langley letter (below) received from Minister Ravi Kahlon in answer to the TOLs request for a one-year extension dealing with the government’s housing legislation. Without discussion, review, questions or a phone call re the infrastructure deficiency evidence provided by the Township of Langley in support of their requested extension, the Township of Langley’s request for extension was denied.

What infrastructure are we talking about? Water, sewer, roads, community centers, arenas, pools, parks (Passive and Play Fields), fire, police, transit, hospital capacity, electrical grid and so much more. But no, the government without investigation, communication or discussion are bulldozing their way into the rights of your municipal government that you elected to protect your rights, against this kind of intrusion.

In another warning letter just received from the Provincial Government stating the Township needs to designate an area around the future Willowbrook SkyTrain Station for high-density development. The letter, from Minister Rob Fleming, was a pointed reminder and “recommendation” (A Threat) that the Township put the designation in place no later than Oct. 31. By the way there are no parking requirements or payment of Municipal DCC and CAC fees associated to this high-density development bunder provincial regulation? So, you the property tax payer in the Township will have to pay up! Really? – What world do they live in?

In response, Mayor Woodward states “For the Willowbrook area, the BC NDP are requiring that we designate an area for significant quantity of tower density years before SkyTrain is even projected to be completed,” Woodward said. “It is being imposed without a community planning process for schools, parks and other needed amenities to provide for a complete community.” Woodward said that “mandating densities will cost taxpayers more in unnecessary land costs by removing the ability for the Township to collect funds via bonus densities.”

What makes all of this worse, if that is possible – they are imposing their will against and doing away with years and years of municipal community planning that have cost millions of dollars to create and years of input by you, the public. The provincial government, as part of this action is eliminating any parking requirements on any and all developments, imposing 3 – 6 units on a traditional single-family lot, all with absolutely no say from your municipal government! It all equates to the eventual destruction of our quality of life and of our communities as we know them.

B.C. Government Letterhead

July 25, 2024                                                                                                                                                      Reference: 69354

Jason Winslade

GM, Municipal Administration, Facilities and Corporate Projects

Township of Langley

20338 – 65 Avenue

Langley BC  V2Y 3J1

Email: jwinslade@tol.ca

Dear Jason Winslade:

Thank you for your application for an extension to the small-scale multi-unit housing (SSMUH) zoning bylaw requirements pursuant to Section 786 of the Local Government Act (“Act”), submitted to the Province June 20, 2024.

I have considered the application in accordance with the legislation. The request for extension on the basis of Council’s deferral is refused. Based on the application materials submitted, it is not apparent enough (from the documentation provided) that infrastructure upgrades are immediately needed in order to address risk to public health, safety, or environment.

Pursuant to Section 785 (1) (b) of the Act, you must adopt a zoning bylaw that complies with Section 481.3 in relation to the areas identified in your request within 90 days after the date set out in this notice of refusal.

Thank you again for writing.

Sincerely,

Ravi Kahlon

Minister of Housing

cc:          Chanpreet Kooner, Administrator (Acting) – Wendy Bauer, Director

Premier Eby and Minister Kahlon are busy sending out messages via Social-Media that Municipalities and Cities are all on board – Nothing could be further from the truth, Municipalities / Cities are being threatened and have no choice. Some are taking a stand, lets stand with them and defeat the NDP!

Township Housing Statistics: For those living in the Township of Langley, they will know and will have experienced the explosive population growth, thus the massive population increase and the inability of infrastructure to keep up with development. The following statistics reflect a municipality that is doing its part in providing housing starts while working hard to making up for years of not building the infrastructure required to sustain that population.

Township of Langley Units Approved, Not Yet at Construction

Apartments:                                                      69%                                       5,193

Townhouses:                                                     21.7%                                   1,630

Single Family Attached Rowhomes:         1.9%                                      144

Single Family:                                                    7.4%                                      554       

Township of Langley Housing Unit Approvals 2022 – 2024

Council Year       Total (Multifamily / Town House / Single Family)

2022                     66

2023                     6,443

2024                     1,030

Total                     7,539

Township of Langley Issued Building Permits Under Construction

Community                       Total (Multifamily / Town – Row House  / Single Family)                    

Aldergrove                          290

Brookswood Fernridge   199

Fort Langley                          28

Murrayville                            32

Northwest Langley               12

Rural Areas                           306

Walnut Grove                                                   

Willoughby                         2,040

Willowbrook                     

Still unknown                     982

Total                                     3,889   

Elections are your opportunity to make a statement!

In Summary – This election is your last chance to send a message to this NDP government to ensure a future government will revisit this undemocratic move! Remember, you get the government you deserve, take action now. Unfortunately, the disaster of this move will not be truly felt for a number of years if the NDP are elected – then it will be too late.

Threat by your NDP provincial government: Make no mistake about it, this is a threat against your duly elected municipal government – not a polite reminder as they will suggest. As Mayor of the Township of Langley I was confronted with a threat by then B.C. Liberal Minister of Transportation Kevin Falcon in an open letter stating that I either accept the road network (Mufford Crescent Diversion) that the B.C. Government, Federal Government, TransLink and 12 funding partners (part of the Roberts Bank Rail Corridor project) proposed or he would take the money and move it elsewhere! I also received the same verbal threat from him coming out of his office after an MFA meeting! Their proposal? A 4-lane road cutting through the historic Hudsons Bay Farm, over the rail tracks and Glover Road then through the middle of the Bella Vista Farm connecting to a two-lane country road at 64^th and 216^th. I lost two votes in my council despite two open houses and a public meeting and I lost the preliminary vote with the ALC. Finally, we filed a Minority Report (which my Council went apoplectic over) with the ALC refuting the erroneous information in the Pacific Land Group Report on which a final decision was to be made. Two years later, thanks to Richard Bullock then Provincial Chair of the ALC, and a further discussion with me – we won on a tie vote. (FYI – Richard Bullock was removed from that job by the B.C. Liberal Government shortly- after his vote on this proposal.) That negative vote by Richard Bullock caused a tie vote which rejected their proposal based on the three key issues we profiled in our minority report. That decision, saved over 300 acres of prime agricultural land in the Milner Valley designed for future development, changing the character of the Township of Langley forever. Just a sign of what really had gone on in the Township of Langley for decades. It was nothing more than a major land deal orchestrated by local power brokers for the benefit of a few friends and insiders. Their efforts and plans failed, you can fight and win!

By the way, they never did move the money as threatened; we approved a more appropriate overpass and road configuration that didn’t wipe out hundreds of acres of farmland. So much for Rich Coleman’s constant blathering threats about not putting provincial funds into the Township because I wouldn’t capitulate to his government’s demands.

There are never any guarantees, but we owe a great deal of thanks to Mayor Woodward and his majority on Council to stand up to this NDP bullying on our behalf. Believe me when I say, the easy decision is to throw up your hands and capitulate, the hard decision is to take a stand and not roll over.

For all of the foregoing facts, I am strongly recommending a vote for the B.C. Conservative Party. Provincial parties who threaten municipal and city governments have crossed the line of trust. In the case of the NDP, their move to Social Engineering should not be acceptable by any of us.   

RG

Protect your Democratic Rights – Protect your NEIGHBORS Democratic Rights – stay informed, stay involved and VOTE!!!

I am working on future posts that I believe are of significant concern to Township of Langley Residents, come back often for news of interest to Township residents.

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