Vote Today and Saturday for Langley City Mayor & Council

This Langley City local election matters. We need to keep investing in our community and prepare for SkyTrain's arrival. The Langley City First team is the only team with seasoned elected representatives and new people with fresh perspectives who can lead our community over the next four years. We cannot reverse the progress we’ve made this term.

There are two more opportunities to vote:

• Wednesday, October 14 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre
• Saturday, October 17 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre

Bring your voter card to make things easy. If you don’t have your voter card and aren't on the voters list, you can still register in person when you arrive. For more information, please visit: https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/local-election

$101 Million Invested in Langley City

Between 2023 and 2025, Langley City Council invested $101 million in community projects. These projects cover roads, water, sewer, parks, facilities, public safety, and recreation. I want to highlight some of the major projects completed during that time that represent about $60 million in investments.

Project	Price (Millions)
Fraser Highway One-way Renewal	$19.0
Purchase Land for New Public Safety Building	$11.2
3 New Fire Trucks	$5.4
Douglas Rec Centre Renewal	$4.9
56 Avenue Utility Renewal/Repaving	$4.6
202 Street Area Utility Renewal/Repaving	$3.1
Various Sewer and Storm Sewer	$3.0
City Park Field Upgrades	$2.3
Various Road Repaving	$2.0
200 Street Utility Renewal	$1.8
Traffic Signal Renewal	$1.1
Other Fraser Highway Utility Renewal/Repaving	$1.1
Various Watermain Renewal	$1.1

Watch the Langley City All-Candidates Meeting

On Monday evening, the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce hosted an all-candidates meeting. Langley City residents had the opportunity to learn about the people who are running in the Langley City municipal election and their platforms. The Chamber recorded the meeting, which you can watch below.

Because of the number of council candidates, they were divided into two groups. The mayoral section of the meeting starts at the 1 hour and 48 minute mark.

Advanced Voting Starts This Week for Langley City Mayor & Council

Local government plays a very important role in people’s lives. We maintain the basic services people rely on, such as local roads, water, sewer, streetlights, parks, and recreation services, to name a few. Unfortunately, voter turnout for local elections is consistently lower than for provincial or federal elections.

This Langley City local government election matters, and who leads our community over the next four years will profoundly affect your quality of life. It has been an honour to serve this community as mayor for the last four years, and I am asking for your vote for another term, along with the whole Langley City First team. I’m proud of our track record and our plan for our community's future as we prepare for the arrival of SkyTrain.

You can vote over the next two weeks as follows:

• Tuesday, October 6 (1:00 pm to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre
• Wednesday, October 7 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre
• Thursday, October 8 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm) — Timms Community Centre
• Wednesday, October 14 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre
• Saturday, October 17 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) — Timms Community Centre

Bring your voting card to make things easy. If you don’t have your voter card and aren't on the voters list, you can still register at the time of voting. For more information, please visit: https://www.langleycity.ca/city-hall/local-election

The Langley City First Team Will Not Cut Services

Over the last four years, the majority of Langley City Council has approved significant investments in our community.

This includes funding:

• Nine new suppression firefighters and one new fire prevention officer, enabling us to go from one 24/7 firefighting crew to two.
• Five new police officers, which equates to a 10% increase in officers.
• Our own Emergency Program, with people ready to respond when disaster strikes.

Property tax has funded these investments.

“Most people would be surprised to learn that about two-thirds of the property tax collected in the City goes entirely towards police, fire, and public safety services,” said Nathan Pachal, who is running for re-election as mayor of Langley City.

The majority of Council in the last term also approved doubling the amount of property tax allocated to critical projects such as maintaining roads, water pipes, sewer mains, and parks, from $1 million to $2.4 million annually.

Other important investments include extending Al Anderson Pool’s operating season from four months per year to six.

“Unlike the provincial and federal governments, we cannot run deficits,” said Mike Solyom, who is running for re-election as a Councillor. “The unfortunate reality is that with rising police costs, insurance, and collective agreements, maintaining existing services costs more each year. We’re not willing to cut services in response to these rising costs.”

The Langley City First team believes in fiscal responsibility and transparency and supports Langley City's current and ongoing external efficiency review.

“I know our team is looking forward to seeing the results of the efficiency review and its recommendations,” said Pachal. “The Langley City First team is committed to implementing recommendations that will strengthen the services that our community relies on and will not cut any services. We’ve made significant gains in improving public safety and services that we will not roll back.”

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Orange Shirt Day was first observed in Williams Lake in 2013 and was started by Phyllis Webstad, a member of Stswecemʼc Xgetʼtem First Nation. In 2021, September 30th also became the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. In 2023, it became a statutory holiday, a day of reflection, in British Columbia.

The creation of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was Call to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Commission's mandate was to capture the history and lasting impacts of the Canadian Indian residential school system on Indigenous people and communities. The Commission put forward 94 calls to action to protect Indigenous youth, restore language and culture, reform the justice and health care systems, remember, and move toward reconciliation.

The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is hosting several “Lunch and Learn” workshops this week. You can watch them on YouTube.

In Langley, an event and candlelight walk will start at 5 pm in Douglas Park and is open to all. The event honours survivors of the residential school system, and the children who never came home, their families, and communities.

Langley City First Platform: Housing

Langley City should be a community where people can afford to live. Langley City First will continue to advocate to the provincial and federal governments to fund affordable and accessible housing projects and implement policies that increase housing affordability for all people. In Langley City, we continue to reform our local bylaws and policies to drive housing affordability and accessibility, and create spaces for people to work, live, and play.

Langley City First Platform: Good Government

A core value of Langley City First is the belief that local government should be accessible, responsive, and pragmatic. Our team is committed to responsible financial and infrastructure stewardship that considers both today's requirements and future needs. Simply put, we want to leave our community's finances and infrastructure in a better place for the long-term. We also believe that all citizens' voices matter and will continue to use models such as Citizens’ Assemblies to guide our decisions on complex issues.

Langley City Platform: Parks And Environment

Langley City First is committed to continuously improving parks, natural areas, and trails within Langley City, including creating programs that support the protecting of natural areas, expanding the urban tree canopy, managing waste, and investing even more in our parks and trails.

Two Former Langley City Mayors with a Combined 20 Years in Office Endorse Nathan Pachal

Marlene Grinnell and Peter Fassbender, both former mayors of Langley City, have endorsed Nathan Pachal and the Langley City First team for the upcoming October 17, 2026, civic election.

“Taxpayers and voters in Langley City deserve a strong, stable city council. These individuals should be honest, trustworthy and good listeners” said Grinnell who is Langley City’s longest-serving mayor, winning four consecutive elections from 1993 to 2005.

“Being the mayor of Langley City is an important and serious responsibility. With the coming of Skytrain, we need strong, honest and transparent leadership” said Fassbender, who was elected as mayor after Grinnell and served from 2005 until 2013.

Grinnell and Fassbender’s terms equal a combined period of 20 years, throughout which they oversaw the growth of Langley City into a regional commercial and industrial hub serving the central Fraser Valley.

Under Grinnell’s leadership, the Fraser Highway One-Way was created, and Langley City was designated a regional centre. Under Fassbender, the City built the Timms Community Centre and created our Downtown vision, which set the stage for SkyTrain’s arrival. Both leaders understand the value of steady leadership and fiscal responsibility.

“I’m extremely honoured to be endorsed by these two leaders,” said Pachal. “Marlene Grinnell’s name is practically synonymous with Langley City.”

The Langley City First team was founded on the values of safety and well-being, collaboration, integrity, resilience, responsible stewardship, and putting the community first.

“That’s why we encourage you to re-elect Nathan Pachal and the Langley City First team as mayor and council” said Grinnell and Fassbender.

Langley City First Platform: Social Infrastructure

We talk a lot about physical community infrastructure such as streets, parks, water and sewer lines. Equally as important for a strong community is its social infrastructure. Langley City’s Citizens’ Assembly noted that strong communities require strong neighbourhoods where neighbours know each other and have the tools to support each other. Langley City First is committed to implementing the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly and creating a community where people feel that they belong, have opportunities to connect with others, and have access to the supports they need.

Langley City First Platform: Provincial Health Advocacy

In British Columbia, we have seen the impacts of decades of underinvestment in health care, including mental health care, and affordable housing. This has led to a crisis in homelessness, public drug use, addiction, and a mental health crisis. At the local level, Langley City First remains committed to the City playing an active role in advocating for and coordinating solutions to these challenges, including meeting with policymakers in Ottawa and Victoria to ensure that the needs of our community are not ignored and that we are willing to pilot solutions that help people get back up on their feet.

Langley City First Platform: Public Safety

Langley City First is committed to investing in public safety, including the basics such as hiring more police and firefighters. Our team is also committed to prevention by implementing the recommendations of Langley City's Citizens' Assembly on Community Safety, a bottom-up approach to safety. This includes expanding the one-stop shop approach, where the City proactively manages safety concerns and provides a single point of access for all residents in our community. It also means growing proactive patrols and increasing positive events and activities in our public spaces.

Langley City First Platform: Transportation

People value Langley City’s walkability. With the SkyTrain expansion on the way, Langley City First will continue to invest in a transportation system that gives people choices. At the same time, Langley City First will continue to prioritize roads and sidewalk upkeep. With e-mobility comes opportunities and challenges; our team is committed to an e-mobility action plan that puts safety front and centre.

Standing Up for Workers: Langley City First Receives Labour Endorsement

The Langley City First team is proud to announce that the New Westminster & District Labour Council (NWDLC), which represents the collective voice of union workers from Burnaby and all cities east in Metro Vancouver, has endorsed the whole team.

“We are proud to be endorsed by the Labour Council,” said Rhianna Reddekopp, who founded Langley City First. “They see that our platform helps workers and supports jobs that deliver on the construction, infrastructure and community improvements needed in our City going forward.”

“The NWDLC is very pleased to endorse Nathan Pachal and the Langley City First Team in the 2026 municipal elections. With proven leadership on living wages, housing, transit and livability from Nathan, Paul, Mike and Rosemary, joined by new energy and progressive ideas from Jeff, Heather and Shawn, we know Langley City will continue to lead the region as a great place to live, work and play,” said Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer of NWDLC.

Key values of the Labour Council, which are embedded into the Langley City First platform, include:

• Strengthen Democracy, Transparency and Accountability
• Building Affordable Housing
• Delivering Strong Public Services with Good Jobs
• Support Investments in Public Transit

For more information, please visit “Vote for Here.

Langley City First Platform: Economic Development

Langley City has a strong industrial and retail business sector and is home to one of Kwantlen Polytechnic University's major campuses. This has the potential to have a multiplier effect and is part of the Langley Innovation District Plan. Langley City First is committed to this plan, including the development of a business incubation hub for entrepreneurs. Our team is also committed to listening to the perspectives of local business owners to enact changes that will positively impact Langley City's prosperity.

Langley City First Launches Positive, Solutions-Focused Campaign

The Langley City First Team has officially launched its campaign today for the local government election on October 17, 2026.

“We are pleased to be launching our positive and action-oriented plan for Langley City,” said Rhianna Reddekopp, who founded Langley City First.

Our campaign will be focused on continuing the successes of Langley City in:

• Operating with fiscal responsibility
• Improving public safety
• Maintaining balanced growth

With the increase in misinformation and disinformation, the Langley City First team is committed to defending the facts and focusing on what matters to Langley City residents.

Our key focus areas for the next four years to 2030 will include:

• Continuing to support non-profits and local businesses
• Investing in parks and greenspace, housing, social infrastructure
• Preparing for the arrival of SkyTrain

“I’ve heard from the community that they do not want to see partisan and divisive provincial and federal-style politics in Langley City,” said Nathan Pachal, current Mayor and mayoral candidate with Langley City First. “We will be focused on our successes in moving the community forward in a good way, and how we can continue to deliver for all residents and businesses.”

Langley City First is a team of independents who are free to vote their conscience on all matters and will deliver its platform of unified policies by mid-September, and the team looks forward to connecting with folks at the door and around our city.

If you would like to learn more about Langley City First, volunteer, or request a lawn sign, please visit https://www.langleycityfirst.ca/

I am running for re-election as Mayor of Langley City as part of the Langley City First team. I will share their content on this blog throughout the campaign period.

Solution Tracker Update

Since I’ve been elected, I’ve been keeping track of the public solutions I’ve put forward in what I call the solutions tracker. When you are in government, many things can pull you in multiple directions, and I’ve used this tool to help me stay focused. It is also a way to provide accountability to the community. If you have a look at the tracker, you’ll see that some items are completed, some are in progress, some haven’t been able to move forward, and some have yet to start.

I recently updated the solutions tracker. For me, one of the items we weren’t able to move the needle on is building more supportive and complex care housing facilities to get people off the street who are in mental health and addiction crisis. While the provincial government has started on this, much more is needed, and we continue to need to advocate for our community.

While there are many things I’ve been happy to see complete, I’m most proud of the work we’ve done to allow people to meaningfully contribute to City decisions, whether through the Citizens’ Assembly on Community Safety and Wellbeing, the new online “Let’s Chat, Langley City” platform, or the upcoming vote around the expansion of Timms Community Centre, building a new performing arts centre, and expanding Al Anderson pool.

I invite you to check out the updated Solutions Tracker!

Purpose-Built Rental by the Numbers in Langley City

Local governments in Metro Vancouver rely on data to help make informed decisions about housing. This data includes household demographics, housing tenure, and need.

For example, in 2025, Langley City had 2,854 purpose-built rental units. The City’s purpose-built rental stock increased by 11.5%, or about 300 units, since 2021. About 40% (1,402 units) are two-bedroom units, and another 40% (1,100 units) are one-bedroom units. There were 216 three-bedroom units, and the rest were studio units.

There is a regional need for more family-size purpose-built units, not just in Langley City, though there seems to be an even greater need for studio units.

These numbers don’t include basement suites and people who are renting out their house or strata apartment/townhosue. This is sometimes called the secondary rental market.

Langley has more purpose-built rentals per capita than other municipalities in our region. For example, the Township of Langley only has 1,211 purpose-built rental units in 2025.

Langley City has a similar number of purpose-built rental units to Richmond and West Vancouver.

Rental prices in Langley City have increased over the past few years, and our rents are now slightly below the regional median rents across all unit types. There is a lot of new purpose-built rental housing coming online in Langley City over the next few years, which will help stabilize rents in the community.

In Langley City, the vacancy rate for purpose-built rentals in 2025 was:

Studio: 0%
One-Bedroom: 2.1%
Two-Bedroom: 2.9%
Three or More Bedrooms: 2.6%

The vacancy rate is increasing in Langley City, which can put downward pressure on rental costs.

Interestingly, in Langley City, the units seeing the largest rent increases are studios and one-bedroom units.

For more information, please check out the Metro Vancouver Housing Data Dashboard.

Vacation Alert

I will be taking some time off and will be back blogging on Monday, August 31st.