Report suspicious activities to the RCMP. Report potholes and vandalism to Langley City.

For the past three weeks, I have been working from home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve only gone outside to get food and other essentials, or to walk for exercise while maintaining physical distancing.

Because of this, I’ve been much more aware of the activities around my strata building. I’ve also become more aware of activities close to my building. I’ve started to see the patterns of what are typical activities, and activities that are out of place, throughout the whole day.

I’m currently the chair of Langley City’s Crime Prevention Task Group. One of our objectives is to encourage people to report suspicious activities to the RCMP.

With less activity in general occurring in Langley City, suspicious activity has become more obvious to me.

I’ve called the Langley detachment of the RCMP a few times over the years to report suspicious activity, including recently. It can feel intimidating to call the non-emergency line of the RCMP to report suspicious activity, but it is a simple and easy process. I’ve always had a RCMP member call back after to gather more details about the suspicious activity I called in to report.

Even if it feels like calling isn’t doing anything, it is. Reports of suspicious activity help guide where policing resources are deployed.

If you see suspicious activity, please report it to the RCMP at 604-532-3200.

Also, if you see vandalism, potholes, sidewalks that need repair, or burnt out street lights (among other things) in Langley City, please use the City’s Request for Service online tool. This will help make sure that things can get repaired.

Do not alter your current routine to find suspicious activities, or City infrastructure that needs repair. I’ve noticed things more because I’ve been spending significantly more time at home.

Physical distancing shouldn’t mean social isolation. What you can do to stay connected. How you can help others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the lives of people in our community. Having to work from home, no longer having work, or dealing with the reality of school closures has placed added stress on people.

Not being able to visit friends, family, or go out for social activities has also had a negative impact on people's lives. We are social by nature.

Addressing the COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges that we’ve faced in Langley City, but I know that we will overcome this challenge together.

We must still follow the guidance of the BC Centre for Disease Control:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Practice physical distancing (2 metre rule)

How can we maintain social contentions while practicing physical distancing?

In my household, we have made a conscious effort to set dates with friends to meet with them on video chat. We plan the get-togethers to be as close as possible to in-person.

So far, we’ve had a virtual brunch where both sides of the chat shared a meal together (even if the menu was different.)

We’ve also had afternoon drinks with friends over video chat.

We will be attempting to play the card game “Joking Hazard” with some friends in a few weeks time over video chat as we both own the physical game.

We’ve made a conscious effort to check in with family and friends more often.

These things have helped us stay connected with other people in our lives.

For some people, they may not have people that they can connect with on the phone or online. I know in Langley City, there are many seniors who may now find themselves socially isolated. You may be one of those people.

There is support. You can also help support someone.

As an example, the Langley Senior Resources Society has Outreach Services including a “Seniors Telephone Buddies” program. I suggest that you visit their website for more information, or call 604-530-3020 Ext 302 or 306.

The Langley Youth Hub is also still offering services in our community.

If you can, make an effort to connect with someone online or over the phone that you haven’t in awhile. It will make a world of difference for you and for them.

TransLink has $6.3 billion in projects on-the-go or proposed to start in 2020

Most local governments and publicly-owned organizations in BC adopt their financial plans in the first quarter of their budget year. For example, Langley City’s 2020 financial plan was approved at the end of February. The TransLink 2020 business plan was presented to its board for approval at the end of March.

One of the interesting things about the TransLink 2020 business plan is that it states one of the risks associated with making their budget is “overall economic downturn, becoming more significant due to COVID-19.” They budgeted a $2 million contingency though this likely will not be enough.

I wanted to share some information about the projects that TransLink is proposing in its 2020 business plan, but with the caveat that the COVID-19 pandemic may likely impact the timing of when these projects move forward.

TransLink is proposing to invest $542.8 million in 2020.

One of the things that brings me comfort is that most local governments and publicly-owned organizations like TransLink invest in keeping things in a state of good repair. There is no point in expanding SkyTrain to Langley if all your trains are broken-down, and tracks are worn-out in older sections of the network.

About half of TransLink proposed project spending in 2020 is to keep things in a state of good repair.

TransLink has many projects that are currently on-the-go such as replacing old SkyTrain tracks, buying new buses, building the RapidBus network, contributing to building the Broadway Subway, and building the SkyTrain extension to Langley.

In total, there are $5.5 billion in projects on-the-go. This funding is broken down over many years. Of that $5.5 billion, $2.5 billion is or will be funded by the province or federal government. $380 million is proposed to be funded by TransLink in 2020.

TransLink is proposed to introduce an additional $419 million in new projects starting in 2020. $92 million is proposed to be funded by TransLink in 2020.

Some of the interesting new projects include:

• Renewing the SkyTrain Automatic Train Control systems
• Moving forward with a new Capstan Station on the Canada Line
• Adding braille and tactile information at bus stops
• Replacing the fareboxes on all buses

There are many other new projects proposed for 2020 too.

TransLink also provides funding directly to municipalities for major roads and cycling infrastructure. $81.8 million in new funding is proposed with $23 million to be expended in 2020.

For more information, please read TransLink’s 2020 Business Plan.

Langley City community resources and support services available during COVID-19 state of emergency

During this COVID-19 state of emergency, many resources and support services that people rely on in our community have changed how they operate, reduced services, or have shutdown.

With people's lives being significantly impacted due to COVID-19, they may now need to use support services for the first time.

Langley City staff have complied the following list of resources for people in our community.

As things change quickly, please visit and bookmark Langley City's COVID-19 webpage for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

COVID-19 Health Information

Fraser Health Authority
HealthLinkBC
BC Centre for Disease Control
Health Canada
Provincial List of COVID-19 Essential Services

COVID-19 Related Phone Lines

Langley City COVID Toll Free (automated info line for people without internet access:) 604-514-2848
Medical information: 811
Non-medical information: 1-888-268-4319
Fraser Health Crisis Line (crisis intervention, support information on local services:)
 604-951-8855
Community and Social Services information (recently added more resources for seniors:) 211
Public Health Agency of Canada toll-free phone number: 1-833-784-4397

Langley City Community Meal Information

The Salvation Army Gateway of Hope

Effective March 26, the Community Meal program will run at lunch every day of the week. The meals will continue to be a take-out bagged meal, which will be available for pick up between 12:30pm and 1:00pm.

Langley Senior Resources Society

They have started a meal pick-up program. Please note that you need to pre-order the day before noon. These meals are not just for seniors, anyone may order. View the menu.

Langley Meals on Wheels

Langley Meals on Wheels is continuing to deliver meals to clients Monday to Friday.

Grief Support


BC Bereavement Helpline: 604-738-9950/1-877-779-2223 or contact@bcbh.ca
What’s Your Grief Blog

Palliative/Hospice Care

Langley Hospice Society: 604-530-1115 or fernandeouellette@langleyhospice.com
Langley Hospice Residence: 604-514-6181

The Hospice Palliative Care Consultation Team provides hospice care to individuals coping with end of life issues.

Fraser Health Home Health Service Line: 1-855-412-2121

Langley: 604-514-6182 ext:746182

Mental Health

Mental Health Crisis Line: 604-310-6789
Mental Health Emergency Services: 604-874-7307
Canadian Mental Health Association

Suicide Prevention

BC Suicide Help Line: 1-800-784-2433
SAFER Suicide Attempt Follow-up Education and Research (counselling service:) 604-875-4794
Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention

Youth Specific

Kids Help Phone (anonymous counselling and referral service for children and youth:) 1-800-668-6868
Crisis chat for youth (Noon to 1am)
START Short Term, Assessment, Response, Treatment (Mon-Fri 9-9pm, Sat & Sun 12-9pm ages 6-18 experiencing extreme mental health symptoms:) 1-844-782-7811

Adult Specific

Crisis chat support for adults (Noon to 1am)

Problematic Substance Use

BC Alcohol and Drug Information Line: 1-800-663-1441