Changes to Advanced Voting and Other Housekeeping Matters for Upcoming Election

October 17 is election day for all local governments in BC. As is typical, local governments review their election-related bylaws. On Monday, Council gave the first, second, and third readings to approve, in principle, several changes as outlined in this post. Adoption of these changes to bring them into force will be considered at the next Council meeting.

Most people know about advance voting, which is open to all eligible voters. Langley City also had two Special Voting Opportunities: one at the Evergreen Timbers, restricted to residents of that care home, and one at the Langley Senior Resources Centre, for its members only. On average, about 40 people took advantage of those opportunities.

In the 2022 election, the Langley Senior Resources Centre was designated as an advance voting location open to all eligible voters. Langley City staff did an evaluation and found that the Langley Senior Resources Centre location had a lower turnout than other advanced voting days at Timms Community Centre. Langley Senior Resources Centre also noted some challenges with having voting at their locations, as it disrupted their programming.

As a result, advanced voting will now take place only at Timms Community Centre, with four advanced voting days, maintaining the same number of days as in the 2022 election.

Every vote matters. In the 2022 election, one member of Langley City Council was elected by two votes. It is important that we make it easy for folks to vote, including people with limited mobility or other disabilities. In 2022, Langley City introduced mail-in ballots, which expanded voting opportunities.

8 people took advantage of the special voting at Evergreen Timbers in the 2022 election. The City will be discontinuing this special voting opportunity. The City instead will work with all long-term care providers to ensure everyone is aware of mail-in ballots and curbside voting opportunities during advance voting days and on general election day.

Most people believe that Canada is fully metric, but we actually aren’t, which means our laws and bylaws use both imperial and metric measurements. Langley City’s sign bylaw allows 4’ x 4’ or .91m x .91m as the maximum size for election signage. Now .91m is actually 3’, so there was a discrepancy. During the last election, all candidates had 4’ x 4’ signs. To make the bylaw consistent, the maximum metric size was increased to 1.2m x 1.2m.

SkyTrain Mark I as Public Art in Langley City

As you may know, TransLink is retiring the Mark I SkyTrain fleet, which entered service in the 1980s. TransLink put out a notice back in the fall of 2024 saying they have a process in place for people or organizations that would want to get one of these retiring cars for free, with the remaining going to be scrapped.

This piqued interest among some members of Langley City’s Arts, Recreation, Culture & Heritage Committee, who put together a detailed proposal to acquire one of the Mark I cars and turn it into an iconic public art installation in our Downtown.

This piece of public art would be functional and celebrate our transit heritage. Langley Prairie (the old name of Langley City) was a major stop on the Interurban transit line back in the day, and with SkyTrain coming, it makes a lot of sense to celebrate transit, which shaped and continues to shape our community.

The SkyTrain car would also become a landmark and gathering place for the community. The idea would be to convert the interior of the Mark I car into a usable space that could host a pop-up shop, art gallery, or cafe.

As for location, there are a few options, such as at Innes Corners Plaza or the Langley City Centre SkyTrain station, though nothing has been finalized. There is an active railcar restoration and handperson community here, and there are already folks who are interested in volunteering to transform one of these Mark I cars.

Langley City has a public art fund that could help cover some of the costs of this project. While there is more work to do before this project becomes a reality, Langley City Council supported this public art concept in principle on Monday night.

I really look forward to seeing how this proposal will take shape, and I am very excited about this grassroots effort to transform a Mark I SkyTrain car.

For more information, please read the full proposal.

Langley City Has a New Accessibility Plan

Last night, Langley City Council adopted a new 10-year accessibility plan for our community. This plan is required under provincial law and builds on the previous work done in the City over the last 20 years.

Langley City’s Accessible Plan outlines objectives to improve accessibility in the City’s built form, such as parks, sidewalks, and housing, service delivery, communication, and internal processes, such as hiring and procurement.

Some of the objectives include:

• Review the City’s public washrooms from an accessibility lens.
• Improve the accessibility of City parks, plazas, paths, and playgrounds.
• Strengthen the pedestrian network.
• Develop an accessible parking strategy.
• Ensure that there are recreation programs that are accessible for blind and visually impaired people.
• Ensure that there are recreation programs that are accessible for Deaf, deaf, Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind people.
• Ensure that any construction detours, including the moving of bus stops is advertised on the City’s website and social media.
• Ensure local representation of people with disabilities in City communications materials.
• Improve staff competency related to accessibility and disability, including disability awareness and understanding of barriers that people face due to physical or cognitive disabilities.

There are 29 objectives in total. Learn more by reading the full report.

This new plan would not have been possible without the contributions of people with disabilities. There is a saying nothing for us, without us. The plan has short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives. Council approved this new accessible plan yesterday evening.

The next step will be for Langley City staff, with support from the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to update the City's current policies and other work plans. Some objectives will have financial implication and will be included in future budgets for Council to consider.

Langley City FIFA World Cup Public Watch Parties

Langley City is hosting four free watch parties during the World Cup. These are family-friendly, alcohol-free watch parties with a food truck, entertainment, and crafts. There will be a large screen at Civic Plaza at Timms Community Centre.

The dates and times are as follows:

June 18: FIFA Canada vs Qatar
Pre-Game Starts: 2:15pm
Game: 3:00pm

July 2 FIFA Round of 32 Game: Round of 32 – Teams TBA
Pre-Game Starts: 7:15pm
Game: 8:00pm

July 7 FIFA Round of 16 Game: Teams TBA
Pre-Game: 12:15pm
Game : 1:00pm

July 19 FIFA Final Game: Teams TBA
Pre-Game: 11:15am
Game Starts: Noon

For more information, please visit Langley City’s website.

Langley City’s Community Day, This Saturday!

One of Langley City’s biggest events of the year, Community Day, is happening this Saturday, June 13th, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at Douglas Park. Back by popular demand is the zipline along Douglas Crescent!

There will be live music throughout Community Day at Spirit Square, including acts such as Carmelina Cupo, Sons of Stanley, Bad Medicine, Mostly Marley, Jackson Hollow, and the party band What's Next.

There will also be all-ages, kid-friendly activities such as interactive play, mini-golf, inflatable bouncy houses, bungee, and an obstacle course. This will be a sensory-friendly zone to support people with autism.

For the foodie in you, the Greater Vancouver Food Truck Festival will be on-site along with a beer garden. There will also be an artisan market.

Science World on the Road will be at Community Day with different shows at 1:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:30pm.

Community Day was started back in the day as a way for people to connect with the various community organizations that help support building a strong community. There will be over 70 community-based organizations that you can talk with and learn more about.

The best way to get to Community Day is to walk, bike, or take transit. There will be free, secure, and monitored bike parking. I look forward to seeing you this Saturday!

Langley City Received $12.6 Million in Road, Cycling, and Walking Funding From Translink Since 2017

I’ve posted about this every so often, as many people do not know that TransLink is responsible for major roads in our region and provides funding, through a cost-sharing formula, to local governments to keep these roads in good repair. In Langley City, 200th Street, Fraser Highway (Excluding Between 203rd and 208th), the non-provincial section of the Langley Bypass, and 203rd/204th Street between Fraser Highway and the Township border are part of the TransLink-funded major road network.

TransLink also provides base-allocated and competitive grants to enhance the capacity, efficiency, and safety of the major road network, with a requirement to improve walking and cycling infrastructure. TransLink also provides funding specifically for costly road structures, such as overpasses, bridges, retaining walls, and large culverts.

Outside the major road network, TransLink provides base-allocated and competitive grants for general cycling, walking, and bus-speed infrastructure (such as bus lanes).

Between 2017 and 2025, Langley City has received $4.2 million in base-allocated funding and $7.2 million in competitive grants from TransLink. In 2026, Langley City will receive $1.2 million in base-allocated funding from TransLink.

Langley City received per-km funding to keep our section of the major road network in a state of good repair. We also received funding for the following projects since 2017.

• 48 Avenue Bike Lanes
• 200 St Culverts Rehabilitation
• 208 St Bike Lanes
• Douglas Crescent and 203 St Pedestrian Safety Improvements
• Duncan Way Sidewalks
• Fraser Highway Upgrades
• Fraser Highway (East of 208 Street) Cycling and Walking Safety Improvements
• Glover Road Bike Lane
• Langley Bus Speed and Reliability Study (as Part of Master Transportation Plan)
• Langley Bypass Roadway and Cycling Improvements
• Logan Creek Culvert Replacement
• Michaud Crescent Bike Lane
• Michaud Greenway

TransLink funding is an important part of how we work together as a region to support our major roads and improve transportation options for people.

Grand Re-Opening of Douglas Recreation & Childcare Centre

On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the grand re-opening of the Douglas Recreation & Childcare Centre. The renovation of the centre was made possible through $4.3 million in joint provincial and federal funding from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund. Langley City contributed $600,000 toward the renovation.

Honourable Lisa Beare, Minister of Education and Child Care; Councillor Rosemary Wallace; Heidi Worthington, President and CEO, YMCA BC; Councillor Paul Albrecht; Former MLA Andrew Mercier; City Staff; and Children. Select the Image to Enlarge.

Back in the day, the top floor of Douglas Recreation Centre had a caretaker suite. This suite did not meet housing standards and was used as storage space for many years. The renovation converted the top floor into a child care space. The renovation also included expanding the existing child care space on the main floor.

Honourable Lisa Beare and I. Select the Image to Enlarge.

In total, there are 75 new child care spaces operated by the YMCA BC, including early years and before- and after-school care.

The City retained the existing multipurpose hall and created additional new community spaces for all-ages arts, camps, and active-play cultural and recreational programming as part of the renovation of the centre.

This renovation is part of the ongoing investments that Langley City Council is making in our Downtown as we prepare for the arrival of SkyTrain and ensure we have the services our growing community needs. Last fall, the Fraser Highway Oneway had a grand re-opening. This was a $19 million project that included replacing old water, sewer, and stormwater pipes (including wooden ones), undergrounding hydro, and installing new, wider sidewalks and outdoor spaces.

These two projects represent a $24 million investment in our Downtown.

Shared Bike, Scooter Growth in Metro Vancouver

Micromobility usage, including bikes, e-bikes, and e-scooters, is rising in the region, bringing challenges and opportunities. Along with the growth of private ownership, the shared usage of these devices has also increased. The City of Vancouver launched its bikeshare program back in 2016. Today, about 11 jurisdictions in the Metro Vancouver region have micromobility programs. E-scooters and e-bikes are growing in popularity.

Surrey piloted a bike-share program in 2025.

The following chart shows the growth in usage of shared micromobility devices in the region. Ridership is still primarily concentrated in the City of Vancouver.

Thousands of Shared Micromobility Trips by Month, Metro Vancouver, Jan 2021-Dec 2025. Select the image to enlarge. Source: TransLink

Compared to other regions in Canada, per capita ridership is significantly lower in our region. Some of the barriers to use in our region include multiple uncoordinated micromobility-sharing programs from different vendors, limited device availability, piecemeal service areas, and high prices. In regions like Toronto and Montreal, these services are coordinated and receive some public funding.

A shared micromobility program, if implemented correctly, can provide a cost-effective “last-mile” solution for getting people to and from transit and for short trips. For example, imagine being able to grab an e-scooter or bike at the future Langley City Centre SkyTrain station and zip back to your home. Just last week, a Langley City resident, who is also a senior, suggested that we roll out a bike share program in Langley City for this exact purpose.

In our region, TransLink could play a larger role. For example, having a single platform for transit and bikesharing would be helpful. If there were a desire at the regional level, we could help ensure lower prices and better access to a coordinated, region-wide system.

I believe that the expansion of SkyTrain service in our region presents a good opportunity to explore providing people with more ways to access rapid transit.

Enhancements to Transit Including to Campbell Valley and Gloucester

A few weeks ago, TransLink staff attended a Langley City Council meeting to discuss improvements to transit service, with a focus on Langley and the South of Fraser. There are two big changes coming in the Langley area. The first is that this summer, you can now get to Campbell Valley Park on transit. The route goes from the Langley Centre bus exchange down 200th Street. The bus will run hourly on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays.

A long-awaited service is also starting in September, connecting the Langley Centre bus exchange to the Gloucester Industrial Estates in the Township.

Green routes are already in service, blue routes start this year, and red routes are planned for 2027. Select the map to enlarge.

Further year-round service is being introduced to 68th Avenue,Tilbury in Delta, and Campbell Heights next year. The following map shows new services rolled out this year and next year. Missing from the map is the R2 RapidBus extension, which I posted about yesterday.

TransLink has also improved, or will improve, service on over 100 bus routes to address overcrowding and increase service levels (frequency or extended hours).

These enhancements are funded by the Mayors’ Council’s Investment Plan, which is funded through property taxes and support from the provincial government.

Bus Rapid Transit Planning Continues. R2 RapidBus Extension Launches in Fall.

As you may know, TransLink is completing the planning work for two new bus rapid transit routes. TransLink is also launching an extension to the R2 RapidBus route this September, which will connect Metrotown via Hastings St/Burnaby Heights and Willingdon, with buses every 6 to 7 minutes during the busiest part of the day. Planning is ongoing to convert this route to bus rapid transit in the future.

Bus Rapid Transit means that buses, for the most part, operate in their own right-of-way to avoid congestion and have stations with more amenities, such as real-time information and larger shelters.

Work is also ongoing for the two bus rapid transit routes in the South of Fraser. One along King George Boulevard and the other connecting Haney in Maple Ridge to the Willowbrook Shopping Centre. These lines will have about two-thirds of their routes operating in dedicated right-of-way, resulting in travel times similar to driving and significantly faster than existing bus service.

The following is a typical cross-section for a Bus Rapid Transit system.

Typical cross-section for a Bus Rapid Transit system. Select image to enlarge.

This is the current planned alignment for the King George Boulevard line.

Current planned alignment for the King George Boulevard BRT line. Select image to enlarge.

This is the current planned alignment plan for the Langley-Haney Place line.

Current planned alignment plan for the Langley-Haney Place line. Selet image to enlarge.

Currently, funding is available to complete detailed design work, which is expected to wrap up in 2027. There is no funding to build or operate these lines at this time.

Langley City Council Awards $169,967 in Community Grants

Every year, Langley City Council allocates a portion of the casino revenue the City receives for its community grant program. Community grants support not-for-profit, community-based organizations that benefit Langley City residents and align with the City’s strategic goals. The grants can also be used by informal groups that would like to hold events such as a block party or BBQ to help bring neighbours together. You can learn more about the community grant program on Langley City’s website.

This year, Council allocated the community grants as follows.

Organization	Amount
198A Street Neighbourhood BBQ	$500
Alice Brown Parent Advisory Council	$500
Bard in the Valley Society	$8,500
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley	$5,000
Brookswood Dry Grad	$500
Douglas Park CharityPickleball Tournament	$7,500
Douglas Park Community School Society	$1,742
Douglas Park Community School	$500
Downtown Langley BusinessAssociation - Arts Alive Festival	$16,935
Encompass Support Services -Best Babies	$3,000
Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation	$640
Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives	$1,000
Kat Moon Band	$1,150
KidSport	$2,000
Langley Animal Protection Society	$5,000
Langley Community Farmers Market	$2,600
Langley Community ServicesSociety - Best Babies and Global Fest	$8,000
Langley District 4-H SeniorCouncil	$2,650
Langley Environmental Partners Society	$3,000
Langley Fastball Association	$2,500
Langley Field Naturalists	$2,000
Langley Fine Arts School Dry Grad	$500
Langley Flippers Swim Club	$2,500
Langley Lawn Bowling Club	$3,400
Langley Literacy Association	$2,500
Langley Pride Society	$8,000
Langley Rotary Club (RibFest)	$5,000
Langley School District Foundation	$4,950
Langley Secondary School Dry Grad Committee	$1,000
Langley Seniors Resources Society	$20,000
Latincouver Cultural & Business Society	$5,000
Lower Fraser Valley Aboriginal Society	$2,500
Men's Shed Langley Society	$5,000
Nicholas Park Neighbourhood BBQ	$500
PLEA Community Services Society	$1,000
Ron Cares Society	$2,500
Scouts Canada - Camp McLean	$1,500
Seamus Gee Legacy Project Foundation	$1,000
stɑl̓əw Arts and Cultural Society	$5,000
Terry Fox Run - Langley City	$1,700
VAYA Youth Arts Society	$6,000
VISAFF South Asian Film Festival Society	$2,200
Volunteer Cancer Drivers Society	$2,000
Waceya Metis Society	$10,000
Youth Parliment	$1,000

Langley City’s Glover Road Innovation District Plan

Glover Road Innovation District Plan Visualization: Plaza Along Logan Avenue & 203A Street. Select the image to enlarge.

Last Monday, Langley City Council received a presentation and report on Langley City’s “Glover Road Innovation District Plan.” This land-use plan covers the area shown in the map below and ties into the City’s FoodTech and entrepreneur-focused economic development plan.

Glover Road Innovation District Plan Planning Area. Select the map to enlarge.

This plan was co-developed with Kwantlen Polytechnic University and KPU Communities Trust and is aligned with the university's long-term vision for its Langley City campus.

As a land-use plan, it focused on several main concepts:

• Establish two gateway plazas/parks that draw people from the Langley City Centre SkyTrain Station and the KPU Campus
• Establish two hub buildings at the gateways to support entrepreneurs with coworking, shared learning, research, and social congregation areas (beyond typical office space such as labs, kitchens, and workshops).
• Create green streets/boulevards that connect KPU and SkyTrain with wide sidewalks and multimodal paths.
• Add new internal streets to support redevelopment and traffic flow, and service lanes to support loading and industrial traffic
• Create a network of open spaces with plazas, parks, and greenways
• Ensure property size supports industrial and other commercial uses as well as housing
• Ensure that Glover Road and Logan Avenue have ground-level retail storefronts

The Innovation District Plan changes several properties from the regional land-use designation of mixed employment to general urban. This will require the approval of the Metro Vancouver Regional District board. Because mixed-employment land is in short supply, the City would swap general urban land to mixed-employment land in another part of the city to ensure no net loss.

Another key part of the Innovation District Plan is to ensure flexible commercial land uses to support employment, such as:

• Agri-tech/food tech industries
• Food & beverage manufacturing
• Large business and commerce consultancies
• Film post-production
• Entrepreneurial and start-up companies
• Laboratory and research-based uses
• Creative arts
• Advanced technology such as robotics
• Companies with a focus on sustainability or green energy technology

The Innovation District is divided into four precincts or planning areas. For more information, you can read the full Glover Road Innovation District Plan.

The next steps will be for Council to endorse this plan at a future Council meeting, then work to update the Official Community Plan and get Metro Vancouver Regional District approval.