Langley Township mayoral candidates clash at all-candidates meeting

Langley Township mayoral and council candidates faced rapid-fire questions on budgets, seniors issues, infrastructure and heritage preservation at the first all-candidates meeting of the election season on Monday, Sept. 21, in Fort Langley. The Fort Langley Community Association organized the event.

Incumbent Mayor Eric Woodward of Progress for Langley and Jay Lundgren of Langley Strong criticized each other during the mayoral portion. One early question focused on a projected 22.8 per cent property-tax increase for 2027 in the Township’s 2026 civic budget. Woodward said five-year financial plans commonly include high future tax projections that do not occur. He noted that the 2025 budget projected a 17 per cent increase for 2026, while this year’s actual increase was 3.97 per cent.

Woodward said the projections assume every project is funded, every departmental wish list is approved and all cost increases proceed, without considering project cancellations, cost cuts or decisions not to fund other programs. Lundgren said the figure was available on the Township website and argued that slower economic conditions, declining development dollars and applications, and slower population growth undermine the premise that growth will pay for growth. If it does not, he said, debt will pay for growth.

The candidates also discussed Township debt, which has increased rapidly over the past four years. This year’s Township budget puts long-term capital debt at $421.7 million, up from $175.1 million in 2022. Lundgren said his first priority would be a forensic audit and debt review, followed by projects that keep people safe. Woodward defended road widening and upgrades, new parks and sports facilities.

Asked to name their top two new capital-project priorities, Woodward named a recreation-centre and pool complex for Willoughby, followed by replacement of the Walnut Grove fire hall. He said Aldergrove and Walnut Grove, despite having much smaller populations than Willoughby now does, already have community centres. Lundgren said major completed projects, including the widening of 208 Street, were necessary, but criticized the order of projects, saying promised Willoughby amenities—a community centre, pool and library—remain unfinished while large single-sport facilities went first.