My first political activism was the Provincial election of 1975, followed by 50 years being very involved politically at every level – municipal, provincial and federal in Delta and then the Township of Langley, since 1996. One absolute truism I have discovered over 50 years; there is no such thing as a coincidence in politics, every action has a reason and/or motivation behind it – good idea or not!
What this issue is “NOT” about, despite protestations to the contrary – “The need for legislation prohibiting a person serving in two elected positions municipally and provincially – we agree with that!” All of that aside, there have been numerous individuals in our long history that served both positions until the end of their mandates! A change has often been talked about but never acted upon, until now.
What “IS” in dispute and ignored for political reasons by the NDP – When deciding to run, every political candidate must adhere to a wide variety of rules, regulations and legislation. They make their decision to run, based on the rules, regulations and legislation in effect at that time. Voters make their decisions as to who to vote for based on what they hear from candidates! Changing the rules 2/3rd of the way through a municipal mandate ignores the fact that the candidate was asked and answered many times through the provincial election, if elected, she would serve both positions and not force an expensive by-election. Those were the rules she ran by! The arguments used against her by a small local “Cabal” of anti-local government agitators like making a double income and her being in a conflict of interest is nothing but pure political BS!
This is an NDP Party action; Don’t be fooled by a Private Members Bill! – This bill was put forward by an NDP MLA as a Private Members Bill, inspired and promoted by a small local and vocal Township Cabal of anti-local government individuals, with strong ties and influence by those very involved and connected to the now defeated and departed Township of Langley NDP. While they could do nothing about the election result, Councilor Misty Van Popta defeating then NDP MLA Megan Dykeman, they act as petulant children and attempt to cause as much disruption as possible to the detriment of taxpayers.
Some politicians, when defeated just can’t get over their rejection by voters! Message to the just defeated NDP – Your defeat was all about POOR performance, locally and provincially. You did not listen!
This Private Members Bill is an effort to disguise and distance the NDP from being the real author of this legislation. WHY? Let’s explain!
It is simple, Politics; a little history in brief! I am a life-long conservative supporter, but not at any cost. I have spent at least 45 of my 50 years fighting against the NDP in one fashion or another. In March of 2017, pre-election, a few of us had the opportunity to meet with John Horgan – we had a very enlightening 2-hour meeting with him and his provincial campaign manager. That meeting, in our collective opinion showed him to be a very balanced and pragmatic leader, quite different from those that preceded him. After that meeting I, through this BLOG, supported and endorsed the NDP. While we weren’t successful locally, John Horgan led a Minority Government thanks to a working agreement with the Green Party.
John Horgan leads a majority government – election of 2020!
It is instructive to be guided by the facts behind the results of an election. In our view, John Horgan’s balanced and pragmatic leadership led to his majority election of 2020, he and his party received our endorsement in this BLOG who fully supported our local candidate. John had the ability to neutralize the far left of his party for the benefit of the majority of our province. The failed B.C. Liberal Party and its inept leadership helped significantly in a very divided electorate. For the purposes of this BLOG report, I will deal with election results for the Fraser Valley – Cloverdale East to Chilliwack in a seat comparison and party % of the popular vote and Fraser Valley East compared to the Provincial number.
Under John Horgan’s Balanced and Pragmatic leadership
2017 – Liberals 8 seats – % of vote 40.37% – NDP 0 seats – % of vote 40.29%
2020 – Liberals 2 seats – % of vote 36.60% – NDP 6 seats – % of vote 42.40%
NOTE – The 2020 election was historic for the NDP in the Fraser Valley. For the first time in history, they won both seats in Chilliwack, both seats in the Langleys, one in Cloverdale and one in Abbotsford/Mission under John Horgan.
Under David Eby’s Autocratic leadership
2024 – Conserv. 9 seats – % of vote 59.5% – NDP 0 seats – % of vote 31.50%
Compare the Cloverdale East popular vote (above)
With The Provincial popular vote (below)
2020 – Liberals % of vote 36.6% – NDP % of vote 42.4% – John Horgan
2024 –Conserv. % of vote 43.28% – NDP % of vote 44.87% – David Eby
NOTE – Recap: The NDP popular vote in the Fraser Valley was 15% below the NDP’s provincial popular vote.
Does the passing of this legislation also send a message for another reason?
In the attempt to find a solution to our housing shortage we have two individuals with absolutely NO background or knowledge of Municipal Government, specifically Premier David Eby and Minister Ravi Kahlon, arbitrarily introducing Housing Bills 44, 46 and 47 and now Infrastructure Bills 14 and 15 with NO consultation and all power in the Premier’s office? A complete reversal from John Horgan’s accepted style of leadership to David Eby’s autocratic style. They have received wide-spread condemnation for this action from the private and public sector. No consultation and no consideration of underlying issues, like infrastructure and ability to pay.
The Township of Langley, despite being one of the fastest growing municipalities in the province and the country (we are all experiencing that) continues to be criticized by the province that they have to do more! No help with infrastructure, and criticism of our DCC (Development Cost Charges) rates and CAC (Community Amenity Cost Charges) rates which I might remind everyone are competitive with surrounding municipalities? What are they thinking? Who else is going to pay for water, sewer, roads, police, fire, community recreation services, parks, schools and so much more? There are only two answers to solve this problem if DCCs and CACs are reduced – either Senior levels of government step forward to cover those costs OR you the taxpayer will have to cover them! No other choice!
Summary – Forcing a by-election on the Township of Langley is a cost to you the taxpayer. Spending up to $500,000 for a needless by-election, changing the rules in midstream, is a complete waste of money and quite frankly unfathomable, just to satisfy some gotcha politics – that is all it is about! Just so everyone is aware, an amendment was offered to make this legislation effective after the current municipal mandate, just over a year away – It was rejected! Let’s all remember this move when it comes to the upcoming by-election. We will be covering it here!
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Rick Green
Former Mayor of the Township of Langley
langleywatchdog.... and more! 