Election guide: Meet the Langley City school trustee candidates

Advance polls are open, and general voting day for Langley’s 2026 civic election is Oct. 17. The Langley Advance Times asked every candidate to complete a basic profile for readers. Candidates are grouped into mayoral, councillor and school trustee races. Two people are running for mayor, with voters choosing one. In Langley Township, 20 candidates are seeking eight council seats; in Langley City, 16 are seeking six. Township voters will elect five school trustees, while City voters will elect the other two members of the Langley Board of Education. There are 15 trustee candidates in the Township race and five in the City race.

This guide profiles five candidates running for Langley City school trustee to help voters decide whom to support in the 2026 civic election.

**MARSHALL AUSTIN**

Austin ran for school board in 2018 and is running as an independent. He is a director of transformation with Pattison Food Group, is 56 and lives in Blacklock. He has lived in Langley City for more than 23 years. Contact: marsaustin1@icloud.com; facebook.com/MarshallAustinForLangleyCityTrustee.

Austin said he is running because he cares about students, families and the community’s future. Langley is growing quickly, and he believes thoughtful planning, listening and responsible decision-making are essential to supporting student success.

**JENNIFER ELDERKIN**

Elderkin ran for Langley City council in 2022 and is running as an independent. She is an applied science technologist and currently Langley Township’s stormwater manager. She is 51 and lives in Uplands, having lived in Langley City on and off for about 17 years. Contact: elderkin.jen@gmail.com; www.youtube.com/@ jenelderkin8791.

Elderkin said many people had asked her to run. She enjoys getting involved and sharing her experience in service to the community, and strives to leave things better than she found them. She said the timing feels right and directed voters to her videos for more information: www.youtube. com/@jenelderkin8791.

**CELENE HOAG**

Hoag is a first-time independent candidate, a business owner who runs an operations consulting firm, and is 36. She lives in Blacklock and has lived in Langley for 11 years. Contact: hello@celenehoag.com; www.instagram.com/celenehoag.

Hoag said the newest school within Langley City is almost 50 years old, while trustees say another is not needed for at least 10 years. She said she is the only candidate with children attending City schools and would bring a local perspective, leadership and financial experience.

**TONY WARD**

Ward is a two-term school board trustee running with the Langley Strong slate. He works as an asset management technician with Langley Township, is 54 and has lived in Langley all his life. He currently lives in Murrayville. Contact: tonyward@langleystrong.ca; www.facebook.com/tonywardfortrustee.

Ward said his connection to Langley City began in childhood, when he attended Langley Prairie Fundamental and Blacklock Elementary. He has also lived in the City for many years and said he has a deep connection to the community. After eight years as a trustee, he remains passionate about serving.

**LAURA WIERENGA**

Wierenga is a first-time independent candidate. She is a former management consultant with PwC and a former strategic project manager with the City of Vancouver; she is now a stay-at-home mother and is 39. She lives in Nicomekl and has lived in Langley since 2017. Contact: laura4LCST@gmail.com; facebook.com/profile.php?id=61594230184130; instagram.com/laura4lcst.

Wierenga said Langley City is growing, but school planning has not kept pace. Families are facing portables, catchment changes and lost supports. Her children are growing up there, and she believes every child in the community deserves a quality public education.