Township By-Election: Candidates Share Their Views on Fort Langley

The Fort Langley Community Association asked the following question to all of the candidates for electing a Councillor in the upcoming Township of Langley by-election.  We received responses from six of the seven candidates.  We have posted them as they were received.

“Fort Langley is recognized as a  unique village within the Township and notably regarded as a significant historical  tourism destination.  Residents and businesses have a vested interest in maintaining its inherent character.    With the potential implications of the mandated higher density housing province-wide and no official community plan for Fort Langley since 1987,  please tell us what efforts you believe could be made to address the issues that could jeopardize the historical foundation of Fort Langley.”  

Reminder election date is Saturday, October 25th and the advance poll is tomorrow, October 21st at Salishan Place by River.
For more information here is a link to the Township of Langley Candidates Page

Saurabh Seth 

Fort Langley’s historic inherent character is one of our biggest strengths. Tourism here supports local businesses, festivals, and hundreds of jobs. Protecting this is important for our economy and for who we are as a community.

I strongly believe Fort Langley’s unique character must be preserved—not just for its history, but for its future. In fact, every neighbourhood in Langley should keep its own charm and sense of place. Growth is important, but it should respect what people love about their communities. I strongly believe that with careful planning, real community and expert inputs, we can provide housing while keeping the heart of Fort Langley and other neighbourhoods intact.

I understand that The Township is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP) this year, including a refreshed Fort Langley Community Plan. The May 2025 open houses and public submissions helped shape the draft plan, which now includes heritage design guidelines, small-scale housing policies, parking strategies, and better pedestrian connections.

I appreciate all the hard work that staff and residents have already done. This is a very timely moment, and we need to collaborate and share our concerns now. I will be keen on collaborating and discussing any remaining issues and bring those back to Council as the OCP is finalized. Focused workshops with residents and experts can also help resolve any outstanding issues efficiently and ensure all voices are heard.

Paul Chhina

Fort Langley is one of the Township’s most treasured communities — a place that reflects our shared history, culture, and sense of belonging. I strongly believe that as we plan for the future, we must protect the character and heritage that make Fort Langley so special.
While I support smart growth and affordable housing, this must be done in a way that respects local context, scale, and community input. Fort Langley’s historic identity and small-village atmosphere are irreplaceable, and any provincial housing mandates should not come at the cost of what defines this community.
If elected, I would advocate for:
•    A new, updated Community Plan for Fort Langley, developed in consultation with residents, Indigenous knowledge keepers, heritage experts, and local businesses.
•    Stronger design guidelines and heritage protections to ensure new developments complement the historic fabric of the village. I would love to see more preservation and restoration efforts than simply “developing”.
•    Community-driven engagement that gives residents a real voice before major changes occur.
•    Transparent community forums that amplify more than just a couple of loud voices.Working with the provincial government to meet housing goals while still allowing Langley to maintain its local character and heritage values.

Fort Langley deserves thoughtful, careful planning — not one-size-fits-all policies. We can accommodate growth and affordability without losing our history in the process.

John Aldag 

My family and I moved to the Township of Langley in 2005 when I took over as manager at Fort Langley National Historic Site in Fort Langley. As truly the Birthplace of BC, I immediately developed an affinity not only for the Fort but also for the greater Fort Langley community. The community is a gem in the lower mainland, and efforts to protect the character of the community are very important to me. I watched as Bedford Landing developed and the debate roared about density building height, in particular, in that community. I watched as the debate raged over the Coulter Berry building’s size and density on a key intersection in the downtown core of the business community.  And I continue to watch as the debate continues over future development proposals in the community.

If I’m elected, I’d like to find out why the community plan hasn’t been updated since 1987 and what can be done to ensure that protections are given to maintaining the community’s charm and livability, even in the context of the provincial government’s mandate for higher density in residential areas of our province. I believe each of the Township’s communities have their own unique identity, and Fort Langley arguably has the strongest identity that is definitely worth fighting to preserve. Despite the exceptionally misleading and personal attacks coming out of Fort Langley at me during this municipal campaign (citing a recent post on the Fort Langley and Township Supporters Facebook Page as one example), including by those I considered personal friends, I would be more than happy to sit down with your organization once elected to understand the concerns of the Fort Langley Community Association, and then would see how I could take those forward through various means to address these concerns (updating the community plan, introducing by-laws, etc.). I remain highly positive about our overall community’s future, and that includes that of Fort Langley. I commit to serving fairly and openly in the interests of all residents including those of our beloved Fort Langley.

Val van den Broek

The historical character of Fort Langley is threatened by mandated provincial higher density housing, amplified by the fact that the village’s Official Community Plan (OCP) hasn’t been updated since 1987. To safeguard its historical foundation, a three-pronged strategy focusing on strong local protections, proactive planning, and community integration is essential.

1.     Strengthen Local Heritage Protections

The Township must immediately reinforce its existing heritage tools:

  • Designate and Protect: Vigorously use the Community Heritage Register and Heritage Designation Bylaws to formally protect the greatest number of historic buildings, sites, and unique streetscapes. Designation provides long-term legal limits against demolition and incompatible alterations.
  • Establish Detailed Design Guidelines: Create specific, legally binding Heritage Alteration Permit guidelines. These are crucial for dictating acceptable building massing, height, and architectural styles for all new development, especially Small-Scale, Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH), ensuring new density is contextually appropriate.
  • Incentivize Preservation: Expand grant programs and financial incentives to encourage heritage property owners to maintain and restore their buildings, making preservation a more appealing alternative to redevelopment.

2. Develop a Proactive Community Plan – The ongoing OCP update process is a critical opportunity to define the village’s future:

  • Prioritize Heritage in the New OCP: The updated Fort Langley Community Plan must explicitly treat heritage conservation as its primary goal. It needs to delineate a clear historical core with strict, non-negotiable limits on building size and height.
  • Strategically Apply Density: The plan should direct higher-density development to carefully chosen transition zones or nodes outside the most sensitive heritage areas, ensuring the village retains its distinct low-profile, small-town atmosphere.

3. Maximize Community Collaboration – Success depends on local buy-in:

  • Intense Public Consultation: Hold dedicated, focused sessions with residents and businesses to integrate their feedback into the design guidelines and OCP, ensuring the final plan reflects the community’s vision for its character.
  • Partner with Experts: Formally collaborate with the Langley Heritage Society and Parks Canada (managing the National Historic Site) to leverage their expertise and ensure development respects the village’s national significance

Resha Sabti

Since moving here over 15 years ago, I’ve fallen in love with this beautiful part of our Township. Fort Langley holds a special place in my heart — the birthplace of British Columbia.

I’ve shopped at nearly every store (big supporter of small businesses), tried almost every restaurant, and watched Fort Langley evolve over the years. It’s also where I spent countless late nights working on my master’s thesis…surrounded by the village’s quiet inspiration and sense of community.

Honestly, it was also my little escape (my husky, Sky and I); a way to sneak in some quiet time away from my twins!

I often bring friends and family to the village, and every time I do, I hear the same thing: “How come we didn’t know about this place?”

And in my head, I always smile and think, “Good — this is our place.”

But of course, I’m always happy to share it — because Fort Langley’s beauty, warmth, and small-town charm deserve to be experienced by everyone.

It deserves to stay, to be shared, to be cherished; keeping its historic flavour alive while allowing the community to share in its story.

When I saw that The Little White House was for sale, I’ll admit it felt like a punch to the heart. But after speaking with Natasha, I feel that the character and flavour will continue to be preserved.

I am fully committed to protecting that small-town flavour, the sense of belonging, connection, and shared responsibility. It would be important to create a proper community plan after consultation and engagement with the community.

Fort Langley reminds us not only of where our province began, but also of the Indigenous communities who have always been the stewards of this land. True progress means honouring both, respecting the past while building a sustainable, inclusive future together.

I also recognize the unique dynamics and history across Glover Road. As a councillor, my first step would be to sit down, listen, and learn — to understand the community’s priorities and ensure that Fort Langley’s heritage, Indigenous connections, and small-town spirit are protected and celebrated for generations to come.

Blair Whitmarsh

Fort Langley is a unique and historic community that plays a vital role within the Township of Langley and in British Columbia’s story. As the birthplace of British Columbia, it holds deep cultural and historical significance for our province. Preserving Fort Langley’s heritage value is essential to maintaining its character, its sense of place, and its continued appeal as a centre for arts, culture, and tourism.

The village is at the heart of many of Langley’s tourism activities, and its heritage buildings, parks, and streetscapes make it truly special. Protecting this legacy requires thoughtful planning, clear policy, and ongoing community engagement.

To help preserve Fort Langley’s historical character while meeting the needs of a growing community, I believe the Township should:

  1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the 1987 Fort Langley Community Plan to determine if it still meets community needs and to identify the types of housing and development most suitable for the area;
  2. Strengthen the Heritage Advisory Committee to ensure more transparent, consistent, and deliberate decision-making on matters affecting the Township’s heritage conservation areas;
  3. Enhance long-term heritage protections and development requirements for Fort Langley’s designated conservation areas; and
  4. Revisit the truck route through Fort Langley and work toward a long-term solution that protects pedestrian safety, reduces noise and disruption, and better supports the village’s heritage and tourism environment.

By taking these steps, we can ensure that Fort Langley retains its historic charm and continues to thrive as a vibrant, welcoming, and culturally rich community for generations to come.

Join us for our monthly meeting in the Community Hall – 730pm, November 18, 2025

We invite everyone in the community to attend our next meeting on Nov 18th 2025 at the Fort Langley Community Hall.

If you have any topics you would like to see presented at our monthly meetings, please forward your suggestions to info@fortlangleycommunity.com. We would like to offer relevant 15 to 20 minute presentations to start our public meetings.

It’s a great opportunity to stay informed, share your thoughts, and contribute to the discussions that shape Fort Langley’s future. All are welcome!