Vacation Alert
I will be taking some time off and will be back blogging on Monday, August 31st.
The South Fraser Blog
A blog on transportation, urban planning, environment, and other issues that affect the livability with a focus on the South of Fraser region in Southern BC.
Latest posts
MNP LLP to Lead Langley City Effectiveness and Efficiency Review
Since I was first elected to Langley City Council in 2016, the City's population has grown from 27,000 to 35,000, a 30% increase. We also have SkyTrain under construction with a planned opening in late 2029. All this to say that Langley City is transforming from a mid-sized city to a larger city by BC standards. While I believe we have a good foundation in Langley City’s finances and operations,…
Map of Langley City Roadwork Projects 2023 - 2026
As I posted last month , Langley City Council approved the tenders for several roadwork projects. The budget for these projects was approved last year. The City has compiled a list with a map of all significant roadwork projects completed between 2023 and 2025, as well as the project slated for completion this year. Map of Langley City roadwork projects from 2023 through 2026. Select the map to…
2026 Data Shows Langley City has the Third Lowest Property Taxes & Utility Fees for Detached Homes in Metro Vancouver
When people look at their property tax bill, it contains charges from the province, School Board, TransLink, Metro Vancouver Regional District, and their municipality. In some municipalities, you get a combined property tax and local government utility bill (water, sewer, garbage). In other municipalities, you get separate property tax and utility bills. You’ll hear a lot about property taxes…
Call to Artists: Design Langley City’s Fall 2027 Banner
Langley City has a seasonal banner program in our downtown core and neighbourhood banners near elementary schools throughout our community. These banners need to be refreshed from time to time as outdoor elements degrade them. Langley City has issued a call for artists to design the 2027 fall downtown core banners. The banner design can explore themes of connection, belonging, story, landscapes,…
Recycling Compressed Gas Cylinders and “Whipping Cream Chargers”
Earlier this year, I posted about large nitrous oxide cylinders entering the waste stream in our region in significant quantities. While nitrous oxide is used for food processing and auto racing, it is also known as laughing gas and provides a sense of calm and euphoria when inhaled. These cylinders have caused explosions at the Metro Vancouver Waste-to-Energy facility, damaging equipment and…
92% of Metro Vancouver Regional District Board Support Single Sewer Area Charge
One of the strengths of our region is that we work well together and share resources where it makes sense. For example, we all pay the same regional tax rates and fees for transit, water, solid waste, and parks. The only area where we pay different rates is for sewer; it is based on where your liquid waste is processed. This all stemmed from a decision in the mid-1990s about how to pay for a…
A Quick Tour of the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain Guideway Segment Factory
Over 4,400 segments are required to build the guideway for the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension to Langley City. Last week, I got a chance to tour where these segments are made.
Council Approves Tenders Worth $6.8 million for Road Repaving and New Multiuse Paths
On December 15, 2025, Council approved the 2026 Langley City Budget, which included funding for road repaving and repairs. It also included funding for improvements along the Langley City-controlled portion of the Langley Bypass. (The Langley Bypass between the Surrey border and Glover Road is the responsibility of the provincial government.) On Monday, Council approved tenders for repaving the…
July 27 Council Notes: Firehall Repair and Other Matters
Langley City’s Fire Hall is over 20 years old. Back in 2024, the City began an assessment of the building due to leaks. The assessment noted that the building envelope, especially in the brick facade and roof, was failing. As such, Council approved a budget last year to undertake repairs. Langley City Firehall Back in 2005. Source: Johnston Davidson Architecture This Monday, Council approved a…
July 27 Council Notes: Murals, the Downtown Langley Business Association and Discovery Langley City
Last night, Langley City Council heard a presentation from the Downtown Langley Business Association (DLBA) and Discovery Langley City, which the DLBA operates under a contract with the City. Both organizations support efforts to grow the local economy in Langley City. The DLBA does this by encouraging people to visit Downtown Langley City and shop at local businesses. Discovery Langley City does…
What Is Langley City’s “Resilient Neighbourhood Networks”?
One of the key recommendations from Langley City’s Citizens’ Assembly on Community Safety and Well-being is to establish Resilient Neighbourhood Networks in our city. These networks bring together residents, business owners, non-profit community organizations and service providers, and government services to improve community safety and well-being. At the end of June, the City announced that this…
Ballot Questions Released for Pool and Timms/Performing Arts Centre Expansions
As you may know, during the fall Langley City municipal election, people who are eligible to vote will also be able to take part in a Community Opinion Vote. This vote will inform the next City Council on whether they should continue planning for building two significant projects, an expanded Timms Community Centre with a Performing Arts Centre and an expanded Al Anderson Memorial Pool, or put one…
People Have Been Doing Their Part to Conserve Water in Metro Vancouver
As you know, the Metro Vancouver region was under Stage 2 water restrictions on May 1st and Stage 3 water restrictions on June 8th to help manage the demand for water. There were two primary reasons for that: the first was that the First Narrows Crossing, a collection of three water mains under the Barrard Inlet, was out of commission, reducing the maximum amount of water available on any given…
New Audit: 15% of Buildings in Metro Vancouver Parks Slated for Removal
The Metro Vancouver Regional District Parks System is one of the jewels of our region. There are 354 buildings within regional parks with a total assessed value of $267 million that are maintained by the regional district. Another 40 are managed by other organizations within regional parks. Some of the buildings are for public use, such as washrooms, picnic shelters, and concessions. Others…
July 13 Council Notes: School Site Acquisition Charges, Regional Land Use
Langley City and Township are in the same school district. School Districts can apply a district-wide School Site Acquisition Charge to all new residential housing projects to help offset the cost of purchasing land for new schools to accommodate student growth. There cannot legally be a separate rate for Langley City and the Township of Langley. As required by provincial law, the School District…
New Mural Coming to Douglas Park Washroom Building
Over the years, the City has installed murals on several park washroom buildings throughout our community, such as the Inturban-themed mural in Linwood Park and two murals in Rotary Centennial Park. On Monday night, Langley City Council approved $12,000 from the City’s Public Art Fund to install a mural on the new Douglas Park washroom building. The City will now put out a call to artists. The…
Langley City Council Gives Approval in Principle to $661,601 in Property Tax Exemptions to Non-Profits and Houses of Worship for 2027
There are two ways that Langley City Council provides financial support to non-profit organizations in our community. One is through our community grant program , and the other is through permissive property tax exemptions. The community grant program is funded through casino revenue, while the permissive property tax exemption program is funded through property taxes. On Monday, Langley City…
Langley City Joins the Call to Action for Renewing Flood Protection in the Lower Mainland
With climate change, flooding events are becoming more common in the Lower Mainland. In Metro Vancouver , about half of the dikes that protect us from flooding “are in a poor state of repair, and most do not meet modern flood protection standards.” These dikes also do not meet seismic design standards, which is critical as our region is in an earthquake zone. The 2021 Fraser Valley flooding…
Each New Resident Requires $80,039 in New Public Infrastructure in Metro Vancouver
When building a new home, there are costs for construction, including land, materials, and labour. There is also the cost of providing public infrastructure to the home and the people who live in it. The Metro Vancouver Regional District recently commissioned a study to determine the amount of provincial and local infrastructure required per household and per capita to support population growth in…
Langley City’s 2025 Annual Report Out
Local governments deliver services every day that people rely on, from running water and sewer services to parks and streets. When an emergency occurs, local police and fire services are on hand. I created an infographic many years ago that shows the various public services and the level of government that delivers them. The City completed the Fraser Highway Oneway Renewal Project last year. One…
June 29 Council Notes: Proposed Increase to RCMP Officers. Pleasantdale Creek. Other Housekeeping Matters
Langley City Council addressed several matters at its June 29th meeting. I posted about some of the items over the last week, and wanted to follow up with the remaining items. Because the federal budgeting cycle for the RCMP differs from the local government budget cycle, we need to signal to the federal government the maximum number of RCMP members (officers) we are considering hiring per year.…
Upgrading Storm Sewer Near Linwood Park
Storm sewers are what route runoff from buildings, streets, and parks into watercourses. Newer storm sewers will have passive systems that reduce suspended sediment and oils, though whatever goes into a storm drain eventually ends up in a river. The current storm sewer around Linwood Park is undersized for today’s storm events and needs upgrading. During some storm events, the current system…
2025 Council Remuneration & Expenses and Other Annual Disclosures
Every year, all public sector organizations need to produce their Statement of Financial Information . This reporting includes year-end financial statements, the total compensation of elected (or appointed) representatives, the names, salaries, and expenses of employees who earn over $75,000 per year, and the names and amounts of supplies with an annual value over $25,000. Langley City procured…
The New Langley Innovation District Brand
As I posted about previously , Langley City adopted an economic development plan in late 2024. One of the pillars of the economic development plan is supporting food technology businesses, which aligns with existing businesses in our community and with programs at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Langley City campus. Expanding food technology is a priority for the federal government as well, with…