Good evening, everyone
Hi, we're gonna start now
Welcome to the city of Langley's inaugural ceremony and council meeting. I'm Kelly Kenny
I'm the corporate officer for the city and I'll be leading the
Proceedings up until the new council is sworn into office. I
Would like to begin by acknowledging that the land on which we are gathered
Tonight is the traditional unceded territory of the Katesy
Quantlin, Matt Squey and Semiamu First Nations
Unfortunately, Councillor Kenworthy representing the Katesy First Nation has had to send sincere regrets
So as such the welcome to territory and the honour song on tonight's agenda will not be shared tonight
Before we proceed I'd like to provide some housekeeping information
Public washrooms are available off the CKF room
Just ask a staff if you need to in the foyer and a fully accessible
Washroom is available on the main level in the Tim's area
The public elevator is outside council chambers to the left and then around the corner in the event of an emergency
The nearest emergency exit stairwell is just outside council chambers to the left
Individuals with mobility issues should enter the stairwell and shelter in place at the top of the stairs and wait for their instructions
Do not use the elevator
The emergency evacuation muster location is to the north of the parking lot along 56 Avenue
During the ceremony there will be times when those in attendance will be asked to stand
At such times individuals with mobility or other challenges may wish to remain seated or to sit down if standing becomes uncomfortable
We also have microphones set up at the back of the room to capture audio proportions of the ceremony where participants are not individually miked
These mics are very sensitive and could pick up on conversation and ambient noise
So if you're seated near these mics, you may wish to refrain from talking
About anything too personal with your seat mates such as your netflix password
much appreciated
That all said at this time. I would ask that all those who are able to do so, please rise for the procession of the new count
Please remain standing and join council elect in the singing of ocanada
As
Corporate officer for the city of langley. I hereby call the november 2nd
2026
Inaugural meeting to order first item is the mayor's oath of office
I delaney mac
I delaney mac do solemnly affirm that do solemnly affirm that
I am qualified to hold the office of mayor for the city of langley to which i've been elected
I am qualified to hold the office of mayor for the city of langley to which I have been elected
I have complied with the provisions of the local government act in relation to my election to this office
I have complied with the provisions of the local government act in relation to my election to this office
I will abide by all rules related to conflicts of interest under the community charter
I will abide by all rules related to conflict of interest under the community charter
I will carry out my duties with integrity
I will carry out my duties with integrity
I will be accountable for the decisions that I make and the actions that I take in the course of my duties
I will be accountable the decisions that I make and the actions that I take in the course
of my duties.
I will be respectful of others.
I will be respectful of others.
I will demonstrate leadership and collaboration.
I will demonstrate leadership and collaboration.
I will perform the duties of my office in accordance with the law.
I will perform my duties, the duties of office, my office rather in accordance with the law.
I now invite Tammy Mack to place the chain of office on the mayor.
I now invite Judge Fortuno to administer the oath of office to the Councillor's elect.
Aye.
Aye.
Aye.
Do solemnly affirm that.
Do solemnly affirm that.
I am qualified to hold the office of Councillor for the City of Langley to which I have been
elected.
I am qualified to hold the office of Councillor for the City of Langley to which I have been
elected.
I have complied with the provisions of the Local Government Act in relation to my election
to this office.
I have complied with the provisions of the Local Government Act in relation to my election
to this office.
I will abide by all rules related to conflicts of interest under the community charter.
I will abide by all rules related to conflicts of interest under the community charter.
I will carry out my duties with integrity.
I will carry out my duties with integrity.
I will be accountable for the decisions that I make and the actions that I take
in the course of my duties.
I will be accountable for the decisions that I make and the actions that I take in the
course of my duties.
I will be respectful of others.
I will be respectful of others.
I will demonstrate leadership and collaboration.
I will demonstrate leadership and collaboration.
I will perform the duties of my office in accordance with the law.
I will perform the duties of my office in accordance with the law.
I will invite each member of Council elect to join Judge Portino to sign their oaths
I now invite Councillor-elect Michael Hyland.
Thank you so much everyone can please be seated.
Good evening and thank you everybody for being here.
I would like to introduce some special guests that we have in our presence this evening.
First the Honourable Judge M. Portino, outgoing Council members Paul Albrecht,
Mike Soliam, Rosemary Wallace, and Lake with the White.
Sean Mark Gillespie, attending on behalf of MLA Electra Detour, Langley School Trustee
Alex, Celine Hoag, and Tony Ward, and RCMP Inspector Dave Wise.
From this evening's procession, Pipe Major Tristan Baird, RCMP Honour Guard members
Sergeant Colin McDonnell and Constable Peter Mann, Fire Rescue Service Honour Guard
member Captain Dave Skidmore, and Captain Ray Schutten.
We have representatives from Kewpie Local 2058, President Joy Woodard, and Vice President Troy Wilson.
And from IFF Local 3253, Brinton DeLuca.
Welcome to Heidi Tobler, Board Chair for the Discover Langley City Downtown Langley Business Association
as well as members of the D.O.B.A. DLC team, Chris Parsons and Taryn Analik,
and hello Dan Ferguson from the Langley Advanced Times.
Of course, we as Council are all delighted to have our family and friends here to support us,
so thank you everybody.
I will now present my inaugural address.
I ran for Council in 2022 to improve public safety and our downtown areas,
see development that put residents first, and keep property tax increases reasonable
to see more value for our tax dollars.
By 2026, it was clear we needed a new Council to get those things done.
I ran for Mayor with a team with those goals and more.
Get the basics right, commitment to affordability, improving our downtown
with common sense awareness of the issues we face and the issues that are coming in the future.
I want our Langley City to be the place to be.
Taken care of, planned for the future, serving residents, a place where we are proud to live, work, and retire.
Being elected Mayor of the city that I grew up in is an immense honour
and I sincerely thank everyone that supported our campaign.
I grew up in Simons, ran a small business in the downtown core for more than a decade,
and have, called Nicole Meckle, my home for the past 15 years.
The future of Langley City matters to me deeply.
Thank you to former Mayor Nathan Pajal and our former Councillors Paul Albrecht, Terry James,
Rosemary Wallace, Mike Soliam, and Leith White for their continued service to our city.
And thank you everyone who ran in this last election.
I'd like to take a moment to, in particular, thank former Mayor Val Van Inbrook and acknowledge her.
To my family, friends, volunteers, and supporters, I'm deeply grateful more than words can express.
You gave your evenings and weekends, knocked on doors, and kept me going on the days that were hard.
And we celebrated and created memories that I'll never forget on the joyful ones.
And to my colleagues on council, congratulations.
I look forward to working with each of you in the years ahead on our platform,
but also on shared objectives.
This is a great opportunity for new voices, new experiences,
and new commitments to getting things done, and I look forward to it very much.
Over the past year, we have had thousands of conversations with residents.
Many individuals we talked with are in the room, and thank you for coming.
Many were direct about what they wanted to see change.
We heard about rising property tax bills, roads, needing repairs, parking issues,
and concerns about safety in our parks and urban areas.
Parents asked about school capacity and recreation.
Renters spoke about affordability and building conditions,
and business owners wanted more people coming through their doors.
SkyTrain will connect people to jobs, bring customers to local businesses,
and change how our downtown develops.
We need to be prepared for that growth while looking after the people who already live here.
With SkyTrain coming, people asked a fair question.
Are we going to be ready?
Our job over the next four years is to make sure that we are.
And that starts with getting a firm handle on the city's finances
and focusing on a plan to move forward, getting things done within our means.
Every property tax increase matters to a family managing a mortgage,
a senior on a fixed income, or a business trying to stay open.
We will undertake a line-by-line review of our operating budget,
examine the recent growth of our administration,
and scrutinize spending on consultants and outside contracts.
We need to know what is delivering value and where we can reduce costs
and which priorities need greater focus.
Having run a business in the downtown, I know how much goes into keeping the doors open,
let alone getting ahead.
Our city should make it easier to invest here with clear requirements,
timely decisions, and a practical approach to solving obvious problems.
Public safety must and will be a top priority for our council.
People should feel comfortable walking home,
taking their children to a park, or opening a business downtown.
We will deliver and develop a comprehensive public safety plan
and further prepare our emergency services
for a growing population and future public transit.
We will press the province for better access to mental health,
addiction, and recovery services,
including filling the vacant nurse position
for the mobile integrated crisis response team.
People in crisis need help when they need it.
Our first responders need somewhere to turn when someone requires ongoing care.
We need to make it easier to get around as well,
tackling traffic bottlenecks, improving intersections and crossings,
and making sure parking works for the residents and downtown businesses
with a fresh look on how to think about local transit,
transit that works for our residents.
We should explore ways to connect our neighbourhoods,
linking downtown recreation facilities and stations,
and innovative on-demand services to give residents more convenient options.
We should assess the costs,
look into new ideas on a manageable scale,
and see what people in Langley City need.
In a city our side, there is room to be creative.
Alongside those plans,
we need to look after what we already have.
That means maintaining our roads, sidewalks,
pipes, parks, and trails,
improving accessibility,
accessing drainage problems,
and providing public washrooms downtown.
Major corridors, such as the 200th Street,
need fresh attention and focus while delaying repairs
usually leaves us with a bigger bill.
We also have decisions ahead about recreation,
including the future of our swimming pool.
These facilities matter.
They're where children learn to swim,
our families spend time together,
and seniors stay active.
We need a plan for our growing community
with complete costing, realistic timelines,
and a clear understanding of ongoing operational expenses.
I want us to build things that we can be proud of
and afford to maintain,
and how we make these decisions matters.
After four years on Council,
I know the value of asking difficult questions.
As Mayor, I also know it will be my responsibility
to help us work through these issues
and make decisions.
Residents deserve to be heard
while their input can still shape the outcome.
They should understand what we're proposing,
what it will cost,
and why we believe it's the right choice.
And when we make commitments,
residents should be able to see our progress.
We have dedicated city staff,
businesses willing to invest,
community organizations that show up for people every day,
and residents who deeply care about their neighborhoods.
When I think about our future,
I think about someone growing up here, as I did.
I want them to see a place they can be proud of,
where they can build a career, open a business,
find a home, and put down roots.
Creating those opportunities
will take a council that works together,
thoughtful decisions and steady work,
starting now.
To everyone who put their trust in us, thank you.
I'm ready to get to work with this council,
our staff, and all of you.
I'm optimistic about what's ahead
and truly have our Langley City
the place to be.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I will now invite each member of council
to say a few words starting with Michael Highlands
and then proceeding to the left.
Good evening.
And thank you all for attending tonight's inauguration,
whether here in person or online.
Firstly, I'd like to thank my wife Christine
who has stood behind me the last few months
and provided her unending support.
I also thank the rest of my family.
It has been rather hectic through the campaign period.
A special gratitude goes out
to all my supporters who believed in me
and expressed their beliefs in the polls.
I spoke to many residents as I doorknocked
and respect the feedback that was so candidly expressed.
I firmly believe that council is here
to serve our residents and businesses,
providing the community's needs
while watching our and your budgets.
I am cognizant of the trust you have placed in me
and will endeavor to serve you faithfully
for the next four years.
I'd also like to acknowledge all the candidates
who put their names forward and ran for office.
I can tell you from experience that it is not easy
and takes many hours, days, and weeks of work.
I am proud to be a member of this council team
and look forward to delivering on our campaign objectives.
Looking around the table,
I know we have the breadth and depth of experience,
capabilities, and representation
to truly make Langley City the place to be.
Not that long ago, this was just an idea.
Then came the signs, the doorknocking,
the conversations, and a lot of people
giving up their own time to help make it happen.
And here we are.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered,
delivered signs and letters,
knocked on doors, made calls,
and helped behind the scenes.
Stephanie, Elizabeth, and my parents
helped prepare and deliver letters to your doors.
My brother helped make my campaign videos.
My father-in-law helped take down the big signs.
And Justine, my wife.
She put hours into this campaign,
kept everything running at home,
and has supported me through years of volunteering
in this community.
Now she's got another four years
of evening meetings to look forward to.
And Levi, thanks for sharing your dad with the city.
I'm working on making this a great place
for you to grow up.
To everyone who voted for me, thank you.
And to those who didn't, I still want to hear from you.
I'm here to represent the whole city.
SkyTrain is coming, our population is growing,
and we have some big decisions ahead.
My priorities are straightforward.
Safety first, reliable infrastructure,
responsible spending.
I want to help Langley City grow while building
on what makes it a great place to live.
A city where families thrive, businesses succeed,
and we're building a strong foundation
for the next generation.
I don't have all the answers,
but I'll ask the questions,
bring practical experience,
and work towards good decisions.
Some decisions will be exciting.
Others will involve several hundred pages
of budget documents.
I'll try to give both the attention they deserve.
Thank you.
Let's get to work.
Your worship, fellow members of council,
city staff, honored guests,
and the residents of Langley City.
Today, as I take my place at this council table,
I do so with a heart full of gratitude
and a deep sense of responsibility.
Langley City is more than a place,
my family, and I call home.
It's where we have built our lives,
where our children are growing up,
and where we see our future.
This community has given my family so much,
and I feel incredibly honored
to have the opportunity to give something back.
To everyone who placed their trust in me,
thank you.
I recognize that public office is a responsibility
entrusted to us by the people we serve.
I look forward to working together
with all of you for the betterment of our community.
Throughout my career in the health care leadership,
I have had the privilege of serving individuals
and families, including some of the most vulnerable
members of our community.
Those experiences have shaped the way I see leadership.
They have taught me that it's not about the title,
it's about compassion, accountability,
listening, and making a meaningful difference
in people's lives.
Bringing that same spirit of service
to municipal government is an honor I deeply value.
I also want to acknowledge every candidate
who participated in this election.
It takes courage to put your name forward,
knock on doors, meet strangers,
have difficult conversations,
and share your vision for the community.
I know firsthand the time, dedication,
and personal sacrifices that comes with it.
Regardless of the outcome,
I thank you for taking part in our local democracy.
And finally, I want to thank the people
who made it possible for me to be here today.
My family.
To my mom and dad, there are no words
that I can fully express my gratitude.
Thank you for believing in me,
supporting this campaign in every way possible.
My mom, the countless trips you've made
from Abbotsford to look after the children,
so I could knock on doors, attend events,
means more to me than you'll ever know.
Thank you.
I love you.
To my in-laws, thank you for stepping in,
for caring for the children,
and giving up so many weekends, family moments.
Without this, it wouldn't have been possible.
You have become one of the biggest ambassadors
in the neighborhood with all your walks
and conversations with the residents.
Your love and encouragement means so much to me.
To my brother and kid,
I am so proud and grateful for your service in the Navy.
Your dedication and commitment
to serving our country
is something our family deeply admires.
Thank you for being here today,
and thank you for always supporting me.
And, most importantly, to my husband, Harry.
Thank you for believing in me,
standing beside me,
and caring so much of the responsibility at home
while I pursued this opportunity.
Thank you for your patience, your sacrifices,
and for never letting me feel alone in this journey.
I love you more than words can ever express
to the ever-expanding universe and back.
I would not be here without all of you.
This honor belongs to you, too.
I am incredibly proud to call Langley City home
and grateful to live in a country
where we have the freedom and the opportunity
to participate in democracy
and help shape the community we love.
I look forward to being part of the council
that listens, works collaboratively,
and always keeps the community's future in mind.
I promise to serve with integrity,
lead with humility, and listen with an open heart.
Together, let's keep achieving for Langley City,
for our families, for our seniors,
our businesses, and the generations who will follow us.
May we build safer, stronger,
more affordable, and more prosperous Langley City,
a community we can be proud to call home.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.
I will do my very best to make you proud.
Thank you.
Good evening, everyone,
and thank you for coming to our inauguration.
I am so blessed and honored to be here today.
I thank our community who has supported me,
my family, my friends, and my team that I was running with.
I feel honored to be here.
I am excited for the next four years.
I have such gratitude and joy for this city
and cannot wait to see what we can achieve.
Thank you again for coming and supporting us all
and have a great evening.
Mayor Mack, fellow councillors, members of the community,
and everyone joining us today.
Thank you.
It is truly an honor to stand here this evening
and begin this new chapter as a councillor
for the City of Langley.
First, I want to thank my wife, Christine,
my parents, John and Joanne,
my sister, Christina,
my niece, Erica,
and my in-laws, Ken and Lily,
for their love, encouragement, and support.
Having you by my side throughout this journey
has meant so much to me,
and I'm incredibly grateful to share this moment with you.
To the residents of Langley City,
thank you for your trust
and for giving me the opportunity to represent you.
I don't take the responsibility lightly
and I committed to carrying it out with dedication,
honesty, and accountability.
As we begin this term,
I believe we have a real opportunity
to make a positive difference.
I want us to focus on what matters
in people's everyday lives.
Safer neighborhoods, responsible spending,
well-maintained roads, and infrastructure,
and ensuring our city's growth
keeps pace with the needs of our community.
We won't always agree on every issue
around the council table,
and that's okay.
What matters is that we listen,
work together, and remember why we're here,
to serve you, the people of Langley.
I'm excited about what lies ahead.
We have work to do,
opportunities to embrace,
and a community worth working hard for.
At the heart of it all
are the people who call Langley City home,
our families, our small businesses,
and our neighborhoods.
I'm incredibly proud
to represent this community,
and look forward to everything
we can accomplish together.
Thank you for your trust and confidence.
I'm proud to call Langley City home,
and I can't wait to get started.
Thank you very much.
Good evening.
I'd like to thank everyone
for being here tonight
to join us on this special evening.
I have lived in the city of Langley
for 27 years with the love of my life,
my wife Vivian.
She has supported me,
inspired me, encouraged me,
and has been so gracious
and helpful to me in this process.
I'd also like to thank family,
friends, neighbors,
volunteers, and supporters.
My first memories of Langley City
were in 1970.
My grandparents had moved to the city
across the street from Max Market,
which was a pretty big deal
when it first opened back in the day.
I remember my grandfather
would take my sister and me
to the DQ for ice cream.
That same year in 1970,
Langley Mall was constructed.
Big things were happening in the city.
Now, 56 years later,
big things are happening in the city again.
Langley Mall is slated for redevelopment.
Skytrain is scheduled for arrival
in 2029.
Skytrain is a good thing,
but it will bring its challenges with it.
We must be ready to meet those challenges.
I look forward to work
with my colleagues, staff,
and the public to ensure that,
one, the city is on a sound
financial footing moving forward
while at the same time
respecting taxpayers.
Two, ensure public safety
is the primary task.
Three, we get the basics right
with infrastructure,
roads, sewers, water, parks,
the whole nine yards.
Four, responsible growth
that protects neighbourhoods.
That would be quality growth
for existing neighbourhoods.
Ensure we listen to the public
before decisions are made.
I look forward to the future
of the City of Langley City.
Thank you.
Thank you.
So we are now moving on
to Council Business.
Item 11.1,
Deputy Mayor Appointments.
I would move the recommendation as written.
Is there a seconder?
Seconded by Councillor Flitten.
Any discussion on the motion?
Seeing none, I'll call the question.
All in favour?
I raise a hand.
Any opposed?
That motion carries.
Moving to item 11.2,
item Metro Vancouver
Board of Director Appointment.
The recommendation reads
that Mayor Delaney Mack
be appointed to the
Metro Vancouver Board of Directors
and that Councillor Simi Rajput
be appointed as an alternate.
Is there a mover and seconder?
So moved by Councillor Thompson,
seconded by Councillor Highlands.
Is there any discussion on the motion?
Okay, seeing none,
I'll call the question.
All in favour?
Okay, any opposed?
The motion carries.
Item 11.3, Fraser Valley
Regional Library Board Appointments.
The recommendation reads
that Councillor Michael Highlands
be appointed to the Fraser Valley
Regional Library Board for 2027
and that's Councillor Scott Thompson
be appointed as an alternate.
Is there a mover and a seconder?
Moved by Councillor Orlando,
seconded by Councillor Rajput.
Any discussion?
Okay, I'll call the question.
All in favour?
Any opposed?
Carries unanimously.
On to item 11.4,
the results of the 2026,
local general election
and school trustee elections.
I'll move the recommendation
that the report of the Chief Election
Officer dated October 26,
2026, regarding results of the
2026 local government
and school trustee election
be received for information.
Is there a seconder?
Seconded by Councillor Jenkins.
Any discussion?
Seeing none, I'll call the question.
All in favour?
Any opposed?
Carries unanimously.
So that concludes the business
of the meeting.
Thank you for everybody
for coming tonight.
Following the procession,
there will be an event
in the CKF room.
Please wait until the procession
has left before leaving.
However, I forgot learning
that we need a motion
to adjourn the meeting.
So can I get a mover?
Okay, and seconder.
Okay, Councillor Jenkins.
All in favour?
Any opposed?
Okay, the motion carries.
Thank you.