langleywatchdog…. and more!

I have to be honest, prior to moving out to the Township of Langley in 1996, buying our farm, our horses and determined to stay out of politics, I knew nothing about the history about how the split between these two municipalities came about? It was about 10 years later, after getting very annoyed watching how the Township was being politically managed, that I decided to run for Mayor in the 2008 election? Getting elected Mayor began my very fast education of the facts, that brought about this split –

The Township and City of Langley split in 1955 due to fundamental differences in needs, primarily the urban core’s desire for services (like streetlights, sidewalks, sewers) versus the rural farming areas’ reluctance to pay for them, leading to a governance conflict where the growing business center felt ignored by the farmer-controlled council and opted for separate incorporation.

During that 2008 election the single most prevalent question I was asked during the campaign and after the election – “Was I in favour or opposed to the two Langley’s becoming one”? My answer at the time was yes, I was in favour of amalgamation BUT it would have to be decided by public referendum in each municipality and my belief at the time was Township residents would vote yes and City residents would vote no!

That was then, this is now, times are very different, it has been 70 years!

Times have changed, and changed drastically! The FACTS – the Township of Langley’s population has gone from 95,000 in 2008 to 154,000 in 2025, +62% while the City of Langley has gone from 23,643 in 2008 to 35,000 in 2025, +47%. The issues of the original split are no longer relevant and the issues defining a cost-effective municipal government are now very relevant, to the taxpayer! The only other Metro Vancouver municipality with such a population disparity with their neighbor is the City of White Rock vs the City of Surrey.

So, in my view it is either amalgamate OR the City of Langley can stand on its own two feet, pay your way and don’t be a parasite on the backs of Township of Langley taxpayers; however, the second of those choices presents a very serious moral issue – and the City of Langley knows that, are counting on that, and taking advantage of that, going forward.

Up to now the City of Langley has been exploiting its’ past relationship and close proximity to the Township of Langley. The City of Langley has methodically worked at getting the best out of both worlds – staying independent while benefitting from numerous Township of Langley resources at the expense of Township taxpayers, while not contributing an ongoing penny to them! This is unfair and an inequitable imbalance which has been going on for years; too many years!

The City of Langley has not spent money on adequate recreation facilities!

Langley City offers Timm’s Community Centre and Al Anderson Memorial Pool (outdoor pool), plus Douglas Park and Brydon Park with playgrounds, spray parks, and sports courts? Interesting, if you Google Langley City recreation facilities they mention the Langley Events Center as well as other surrounding Township of Langley Recreation Facilities. You have got to be kidding, such limited City of Langley owned recreation facilities for 35,000 residents?

Firefighting?

In 2024, Langley City firefighters reportedly handled significantly more calls per member annually (205 calls) compared to the Metro Vancouver average (64 calls), resulting in a high number of overtime hours. Why are they not hiring a sufficient number of firefighters to look after their volume of calls? The City of Langley once again is depending on Township of Langley firefighters for back up, once again it is just a monetary convenience.

City of Langley Casino Revenue!

The City of Langley receives significant revenue from Cascades Casino Resort, with about $7.9 million annually in Host Local Government Payments for fiscal 2023/2024, contributing to over $120 million total since its opening in 2005, funding infrastructure, community grants, and water/sewer projects. This funding comes from a share of net gaming revenue, supporting various local initiatives and community programs in the city.

“How much did they receive in 2025?”

The Township of Langley is in the process of establishing its own RCMP detachment!

The current move by the Township of Langley to establish their own RCMP detachment is the most adaptable and responsible move to separate from the City of Langley’s influence on the negative cost and negative policing effect on Township of Langley residents. In a similar case the City of White Rock has its own RCMP detachment.

This cannot continue!

A review of Township of Langley prime recreation facilities, not counting the numerous active and passive parks, shows a complete disregard for past agreements and commitments. Remember pools, recreation centers and passive and active parks are net costs to communities, they are ALL subsidized by their taxpayers! Check out the following –

W.C. Blair Recreation Center – The City of Langley and Langley Township had an original agreement, including joint funding and operation, under a past joint commission,with the City helping fund construction and operating it until around 2006 when they exited those agreements and relinquished ownership rights,leaving Township of Langley taxpayers as the primary operator having to carry the full burden of costs for this facility. City of Langley residents frequent this facility, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

McLeod Athletic Park– The City of Langley and the Township of Langley had a long-standing agreement, including joint funding and operation, for McLeod Athletic Park (originally Municipal Athletic Park), a partnership that involved joint recreation commissions and funding deals, although the city eventually pulled out of that funding agreement, leaving Township of Langley as the primary operator. The agreement ended in 2017, the City gave notice it would stop its financial contributions, effectively ending their long-term funding commitment to the Township of Langley leaving Township of Langley taxpayers having to carry the full burden of costs for this facility.  City of Langley residents frequent this facility, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

George Preston Recreation Center– The City of Langley and the Township of Langley had formal cost-sharing agreements for the George Preston Recreation Centre, with the City helping fund its construction and operation for years, though the City eventually withdrew funding for some of these joint facilities to focus on its urban core. This decision ended their long-term funding commitment to the Township of Langley leaving Township of Langley taxpayers having to carry the full burden of costs for this facility. City of Langley residents frequent this facility, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

Active parks and Playfields – By any measure, the Township of Langley has invested significant tax dollars into the implementation and development of ALL WEATHER and lit playfields and many passive parks. City of Langley residents frequent these facilities, at no cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

Aldergrove Community Center and Pool – This community center, ice arena and community pool is open to City of Langley residents, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

Walnut Grove Community Center and Pool – This community center, ice arena and community pool is open to City of Langley residents, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

Langley Event Center Ice Arena, Basketball Floor and Multi-Purpose Facility – This community state-of-the-art Multi-Purpose Facility is open to City of Langley residents, at the same cost and the same rules as Township residents; Is that fair?

How do other municipalities deal with this issue?

• North Vancouver City and District – These two municipalities have a similar size population. They established a “North Vancouver Recreation and Culture Commission” that deals with a fair distribution of costs.
• Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody (Tri-Cities) – All three put in place a “Priority Resident Registration”

Minor Sport Organizations?

Membership in a wide range, number and variety of minor sport organizations in the Langley’s’ come from both the City and Township. You could make an argument, although not a moral one, that residents of the city as a member of a sport organization should pay a non-resident fee to participate however that has never been nor should it ever be considered. The only ones hurt in that situation would be the youth; we would all suffer!

So, what is the answer – The only logical solution is Amalgamation!

Weighing ALL the issues; 1) The original reasons for separating into two municipalities just simply does not exist anymore, 2) The Langley Cities initiative to opt out of the previous recreation facility agreements resulted in one-sided cost implications on the backs of Township of Langley taxpayers due to the City of Langley’s irresponsible and unethical decisions, 3) The continued lack of interest by the City of Langley in sharing previously agreed to cost sharing which is now born by Township of Langley taxpayers, once again an irresponsible and certainly not a neighbor friendly act and 4) The obvious and significant administrative cost savings (duplication of ALL department heads) including the need for only one municipal council and one City Hall for both Municipalities; It would be a very responsible move for taxpayers of both municipalities!

Don’t be surprised by the fact that the City of Langley Council will not be in favour!

I wonder why? They are only protecting their interests and their pay cheque, not their city! There is no practical reason to continue with the current alignment, lets start making common sense decisions!

Amalgamation 2026 Referendum? Seeing that we are going into a Municipal Election this year why not make an application to the Provincial Government to conduct an amalgamation referendum for all residents of both municipalities, on this year’s ballot in the 2026 Municipal Election? (This makes sense and would be cost-effective.) – A simple YES or NO ballot would do? The Province of B.C. would be removing themselves from the decision – it would be up to the residents and taxpayers! Having said this, a referendum in a non-election year could also be conducted if timing was an issue.

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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