Explainer: A breakdown of Langley City’s municipal election

Langley City residents are headed to the polls with two mayoral candidates on the ballot.

Incumbent Nathan Pachal, first elected to council in 2016, is running for a second term under the Langley City First banner. He has lived in Langley for 20 years and currently lives in the Brydon neighbourhood. City councillor Delaney Mack, who was first elected in 2022, is running with the Achieving for Langley City slate. Mack has lived in Langley City her entire life and currently calls the Nicomekl neighbourhood home.

Also on the ballot is a non-binding Community Opinion Vote. The vote will collect feedback on expanding the Timms Community Centre with a new Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, and expanding the Al Anderson Pool for year-round access.

The expansion may result in property tax increases if the city cannot secure other funding, such as through grants, developer fees, and casino revenues.

Langley City First

Langley City First’s 8-point platform ranges from public safety to housing and healthcare needs.

The party pledges to widen pathways in Douglas Park and work towards widening paths across the city. Under housing, Pachal and his slate aim to advocate for co-op housing to the provincial and federal governments and create pre-approved housing designs to speed up home building.

Langley City First will also continue its advocacy to the province and federal government for health, citing two advocacy trips to Ottawa for increased support for the city regarding food security, safety, and economic development.

Achieving for Langley City

Achieving for Langley City is also running an 8-point platform, which includes public safety and protecting the city while working with the Township of Langley.

The party pledges to review consultant use and “consider rolling back” some increases in city administration. The city has increased taxes by 38.52 per cent across the last four years.

Mack, a small business owner, wants to “restore” downtown safety by working with the RCMP and business owners, and build more parking and public washrooms. The party’s website also states it will “deal with the proliferation of businesses suspected of offering sex work in the Downtown Core.”

Key issues

Langley City is preparing for the arrival of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain expansion, set to open in late 2029. One station, Langley City Centre, will open in Langley City near 203 Street and Industrial Avenue. One station, Willowbrook Station, will open in the Township of Langley at 196 Street and Fraser Highway.

A candidate briefing from the Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce cites that candidates should focus on preventing crime at incoming SkyTrain stations and prioritize creating a balanced transportation system for potential changes to traffic patterns due to the SkyTrain.

Both Pachal and Mack support a seniors shuttle and expanding other transit options, with Langley City First pledging to collaborate with car, scooter, and bike share companies. E-scooters are also top of mind for both mayoral candidates. 

Achieving for Langley City added it would work to align traffic lights along 200th street, and plan and budget for covered bus stop benches.

On firefighters and police, both Pachal and Mack want more, with the incumbent mayor adding that he would hire nine suppression firefighters and one fire prevention officer, bringing the city to two 24/7 firefighting crews. 

Mack pledged for the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response mental health nurse position to be filled, and review the negotiation process with firefighters, including allowing the union representative to speak to council during contract negotiations. 

Councillor and school board trustee candidates

Voters will also elect six councillors and two school board trustees. Sixteen councillor hopefuls and five school board candidates are on the ballot. Langley school board has two trustees from Langley City and five from the Township of Langley.

Six councillor candidates running with Pachal are: Paul Albrecht, Shawn Caldera, Jeff Jacobs, Heather Jenkins, Mike Solyom, and Rosemary Wallace.

Achieving for Langley City has five councillor candidates: Andrew Flitton, Michael Hylands, Rick Orlando, Simi Rajput, and Scott Thompson.

Jennifer Denman, Gurjit Dhillion, Bruce Downing, Samuel Otim, and Val van den Broek are independent councillor candidates.

The four independent school board candidates are: Marshall Austin, Jennifer Elderkin, Celene Hoag, and Laura Wierenga. Incumbent Tony Ward is running with the Langley Strong slate — a party running its mayoral candidate, Jay Lundgren, in the Township of Langley.

Eligible candidates can cast their ballots at the last advance voting day, Oct. 14, at the Timms Community Centre or on general voting day — Oct. 17. Polls will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm both days.