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Meet the candidate: Langley East — Rich Coleman (Liberal)

Rich Coleman , Liberal (incumbent)
web1_170412-LAT-M-Rich-Coleman-Langley-East-Liberal

Rich Coleman, Liberal (incumbent)

Current occupation: BC Liberal Candidate for MLA, representing Langley East; Minister of Natural Gas Development & Minister Responsible for Housing, Deputy Premier

What are the three most pressing issues facing Langley East residents, and how will you address them?

Homelessness: In collaboration, we recently announced the intensive case management team for the community, adding further street outreach and direct support on the ground. The outreach team connects those most vulnerable to immediate and stable shelter and provides additional health assessment based on individual need. This team brings additional investment of over $1 million annually to support Langley’s homeless.

Additionally, in partnership with Langley students and community service groups, we were proud to invest in a Langley Youth Resource centre, a hub for youth at risk, connecting those in need with immediate service and ongoing community programs based on individual need.

Within the last year, over $11 million dollars was invested in the Langley’s for emergency shelter, housing for the homeless, as well as, social and rental assistance.

Education: Responding to the increase in community growth, we have worked hard with the Langley School Board and Ministry of Education to deliver the largest capital investment in Langley schools over the last five years. This investment of over $151 million dollars includes an additional 3,300 student spaces, of which 200 seats will be at an expanded RC Garnett Elementary. This record investment includes the purchasing of sites for two new elementary schools, as well as, the new secondary school on the Willoughby Slope.

We anticipate growth will continue in the Langleys as one of BC’s most thriving communities. We are proud of the constructive relationships we have built with both the school board and local government, and we will continue to champion these needs as our community grows and more families choose to call Langley home.

Transportation/Transit: In the fast-growing Langleys, it is important transportation investments keep pace. That is why our BC Liberal Government has made over $150 million worth of investments in the Langley’s over the past four years. These investments include the recent announcement of $113 million to widen Highway 1 from 216th to 264th Street. It also includes $12.5 million to build the Mufford Crescent overpass at 64th avenue. These investments alleviate congestion and allow you to get home to your families sooner.

While infrastructure investments are important as the Langley’s continue to grow, it is also important to ensure our communities have the public transportation investments to support this growth. This is why, with the announcement of $2.2 billion in new transit funding for the Lower Mainland, we will fight to ensure the Langley’s receive their fair share for transit improvements.

A few more things …

Notable past achievements/titles/jobs

MLA for Fort Langley/Aldergrove since 1996

Minister of Energy, Mines and Natural Gas and Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Minister of Social Development and Minister of Forests and Range.

Recipient of Rotary’s top honour, the Paul Harris Fellowship, Kinsmen’s highest honour, the Hal Rogers Fellowship, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Canada 125 and Golden Jubilee medals for outstanding community leadership and service above self.

Although most notable are my marriage, children and grandchildren. I have been a husband for 43 years, a father of 2 and a granddad to 4.

Where were you born/raised? Where do you live now?

I was born in Nelson, raised in Penticton and currently reside in Langley with my wife Michele.

You have served in office before, what have you learned? Why are you running now?

The voter is always right. Working together is always best and I’m running because I care about this community and its residents.

Why do you make a good representative for your constituents in the legislature?

I am proud of the representation my office has provided the community for over 20 years. I appreciate the importance of being available to all constituent needs. While not all challenges can present solutions, I commit to assisting where possible and believe it is important to be honest and straight forward in communication.

Tell us a surprising or interesting fact or story about yourself

My passion for public service was shaped by my parents—a father who was a civil servant and a mother who was a school teacher. They taught their children that community came first, and serving others was the noblest thing a person could commit themselves to.

That community-first attitude has guided me throughout my life. I also really enjoy ambrosia salad.