Langley Advance Times is offering this weekly feature called “At Your Service.”
It’s another forum in which to put questions to our local politicians about key issues facing our community and its residents.
Using a basic question-and-answer format, elected officials will be asked one question at a time and given the opportunity to respond (to a maximum of 250 words) on that said issue.
Alternating between elected groups, Langley City and Langley Township councils, Langley School Board, Langley MLAs, and Langley MPs each have a chance to participate.
The answers provided will be published in their entirety online Sundays.
MOST RECENT – AT YOUR SERVICE: School district introduces two new specialty academies
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QUESTION
Langley MLAs were asked: What is the provincial government’s role in helping get more people out of their cars, and what are the best tactics for a community with urban, suburban, and rural elements like Langley?
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ANSWERS
Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman
A. To reduce reliance on cars, the provincial government has a vital role to play in providing effective alternatives.
Unfortunately, in the Fraser Valley, including my community of Abbotsford, the ongoing public transit worker strike has made public transit inaccessible.
This is not the first time that we have seen transit disruptions in British Columbia, as last year we experienced the province’s longest public transit worker strike in history in the Sea to Sky. It is concerning that David Eby’s NDP government has not taken decisive action to address this issue and support residents who rely on public transit.
Moreover, the delays in upgrading highways and infrastructure, in addition to the high cost of living and housing crisis, have pushed people away from city centres, making them more reliant on cars.
The ongoing public safety crisis may also deter some from choosing transit.
All of these factors are significant barriers to getting people out of their cars and onto more sustainable forms of transportation.
The NDP government must listen to the concerns of residents and take effective action to address these challenges.
Alternatives to driving need to be accessible and affordable for all residents, regardless of where they live in urban, suburban, or rural areas. It is time for the government to take responsibility and provide providing practical solutions with real results for the people of British Columbia.
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Abbotsford West MLA Michael de Jong
A. The provincial government has a crucial role in promoting sustainable transportation options and reducing reliance on cars where possible.
One of the best tactics for a community like Langley and the Fraser Valley is to invest in a comprehensive transportation network that provides safe, convenient, and accessible options for all residents – regardless of where they live.
For urban and suburban areas, the government should prioritize investments in public transit, such as buses or rapid transit, and ensure it is designed with people in mind, getting them to where they need to go.
I’ve mentioned before that the next logical step for transit south of the Fraser should be to continue expanding east through the Highway 1 Corridor towards Abbotsford airport. This would make sense for our region, and help us build the capacity to meet people’s needs for years to come.
In addition to investments in public transit, government should also look at investing in active transportation, such as cycling and pedestrian infrastructure, to help connect our communities and make it easier for residents to be less reliant on cars.
It’s important to remember that any changes will take time and require the input of our community. Decisions about transportation in our region must be made through consultation with residents, to ensure that people’s needs are being met.
This NDP government needs to invest in the Fraser Valley and work create a more sustainable and livable community for all who all this region home.
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Langley-East MLA Megan Dykeman
A. Langley is a growing community that is lucky to have everything to offer from farmland to city life, and we know that people in Langley have varying transportation needs.
In addition to rapid transit options like the Surrey Langley Skytrain, we’re helping people get out of their cars by investing in active transportation projects across the province, making it easier and more desirable for people to get around their own communities on foot or wheels.
The Township of Langley recently benefited from a $1-million grant that will be used to widen a multi-use pathway on both sides of the Fraser Highway between 246th and 250th Streets, as well as expanding the pathway on 248th Street.
We’re also making sure that work on Highway #1, like replacing the Glover Road overpass, includes improvements to active transportation.
For those who do rely on the use of personal vehicles, our government is making it easier to purchase more sustainable, electric vehicles through tax rebates and by increasing the number of charging stations across the province, including in Langley.
Widening Highway #1 and giving people more transit options will also mean that people who need to commute can spend less time in their cars stuck in traffic, and more time at home or doing the activities they love with family and friends.
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Langley MLA Andrew Mercier
A. The best way to get people out of their cars is to offer transportation alternatives, which is why we are building the SkyTrain to Langley!
The Surrey Langley SkyTrain will not only allow people to get from Langley City all the way to downtown Vancouver on the SkyTrain network, but it will also lead to more transit-oriented development.
This means that new homes and places that people go to run everyday errands will be closer to SkyTrain stops, which will make it easier to hop on the train instead of in the car.
We are working in partnership with local governments to address our transportation needs and make sure that more sustainable options are available to help get people where they need to go.
We’re making improvements right across the province to give people these options. For example, our government increased the amount of funding available to municipalities to help with active transportation projects by nearly 60 per cent – meaning that more people all around the province, and in communities like ours, can choose more sustainable transportation methods to get where they need to go.
As a part of the project to widen Highway #1, we’re building an HOV lane in both directions that prioritizes people travelling by bus. It will also accommodate electric vehicle drivers, making switching to an EV even more desirable.
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UP NEXT
Next week, Langley’s MPs are being asked: Should the federal government put more money into low-barrier housing, in light of the persistent and growing problem of homelessness here and across much of the country?
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Watch for the politicians’ answers online Sundays.
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PAST COVERAGE
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council weighs in on supervised consumption sites
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley trustees applaud positives found amid pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Township council weighs in on lack of industrial land
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs see feds as partners in SkyTrain to Langley
AT YOUR SERVICE: Creating more housing, on all fronts, critical to stabilization: MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Heat wave another call to action – City council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Pools need to be part of Township-wide recreation planning
AT YOUR SERVICE: No current need for year-round schooling in Langley, trustees agree
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs suggest staying the course on battling of B.C. wildfire
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs call for borders to be safely re-opened
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley City council wants to keep higher density development north of Nicomekl
AT YOUR SERVICE: Passports key to keeping B.C. businesses open, people safe during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trustees ponder what kids are missing out on during pandemic
AT YOUR SERVICE: Education should trump rules for vaccination of health-care workers, suggest MLAs
AT YOUR SERVICE: How to handle rising housing prices
AT YOUR SERVICE: City council divided on call for indoor pool
AT YOUR SERVICE: Council ponders vaccine requirements for workers
AT YOUR SERVICE: Skyrocketing enrolment prompts intensified lobby by trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Political stripes aside, MLAs agree heat dome was tragic and action required
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree much must be done to right wrongs for Indigenous
AT YOUR SERVICE: Is pay parking in the City a viable consideration?
AT YOUR SERVICE: Some suggest more needed to protect floodplains from development
AT YOUR SERVICE: Monitoring student transport not good use of school district resources – trustees
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal caucus floats all-party committee in reaction to emergencies
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley MPs address issue of rising food costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Future of Aldergrove core up for debate
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trees and more greenspace at root of climate change solutions
AT YOUR SERVICE: Inflation inevitably hits City taxpayers in the pocketbook
AT YOUR SERVICE: Councillors differ on future of SkyTrain beyond Langley City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Bigger schools not necessarily solution to rising land costs
AT YOUR SERVICE: High gas prices of concern for MLAs of both stripes
AT YOUR SERVICE: Empty homes can be safety concern, but not huge concern in City
AT YOUR SERVICE: Most of council content with current pothole repairs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Survey gives school district tools for staff recruitment, retention
AT YOUR SERVICE: Liberal MLAs call for overhaul to B.C.’s student funding model
AT YOUR SERVICE: Canada must continue its support of Ukraine, MPs
AT YOUR SERVICE: Best use of industrial land paramount to Langley City councillors
AT YOUR SERVICE: More ALR land needs to be used for farming: Most of council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MLAs agree more must be done to make life affordable in B.C.
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal parties working on multiple fronts to end hate crimes
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley City ponders cannabis retail policy
AT YOUR SERVICE – Most on council say parks and rec plans address future growth
AT YOUR SERVICE: School district moves forward on reconciliation efforts with Indigenous partners
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs agree diking upgrades needed, divided on if enough is being done
AT YOUR SERVICE: Local MPs disagree on whether 2 billion trees can be planted by 2030
AT YOUR SERVICE: In light of SkyTrain coming, Langley City embarks on parking study
AT YOUR SERVICE: Langley Township should consider schools for future cooling centres
AT YOUR SERVICE: Opposition MLAs critical of NDP’s affordable housing record
AT YOUR SERVICE: Federal clean energy efforts lauded by MP
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs debate how feds chose to halt trucker convoy
AT YOUR SERVICE: New Langley City council look for solutions to rising costs
AT YOUR SERVICE – A few Langley Township council members speak to ongoing single-family home demands
AT YOUR SERVICE: Political views aside, MLAs wish residents health and safety this holiday
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree new year’s resolution must focus on inflation
AT YOUR SERVICE: New floodplain report coming to council this spring
AT YOUR SERVICE – Protected bike lanes on key Township roads is encouraged by council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Trustees divided on question of socializing kids
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs agree much to be done to safeguard against climate-related disasters
AT YOUR SERVICE: MPs agree new year’s resolution must focus on inflation
AT YOUR SERVICE: City’s residential garbage pickup remains status quo – at least for now
AT YOUR SERVICE – Protected bike lanes on key Township roads is encouraged by council
AT YOUR SERVICE: Pair of trustees agree parent engagement is critical and can grow
AT YOUR SERVICE: MLAs agree much to be done to safeguard against climate-related disasters
AT YOUR SERVICE – Township councillors have varying ideas for extra millions
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