Former cabinet minister Peter Fassbender to run for mayor of Langley

After a year away, Peter Fassbender is ready to re-enter the political arena. 

"After the provincial election, I had time to reflect and talk with my wife and family, and feel the experience I have will be a benefit to the city, the region and the province," said Fassbender, announcing his candidacy for mayor of Langley.

Fassbender served as Langley's mayor for three terms before being elected in 2013 for the B.C. Liberals but was defeated in last year's provincial election. 

With the majority of Metro Vancouver mayors retiring, Fassbender believes his resumé will be an asset. 

I feel my experience, both in the city and provincially, have given me the tools that I'll be able to give a significant contribution," he said. 

Fassbender didn't make any specific promises in his announcement, including what type of rapid transit system should be used to connect the City of Langley to the rest of Metro Vancouver.

"I have some opinions on this stage, but the bottom line is we need rapid transit, not just to take people out of the community, but to bring people for the jobs that are being developed in the south of the Fraser region, and Langley City will be able to benefit, as well," he said, adding that he wanted to see detailed businesses cases on both a Skytrain extension and light rapid transit before expressing a preference. 

Mayor Ted Schaffer is stepping down, but Fassbender will face competition for the job, as current Langley councillors Val van den Broek and Paul Albrecht have announced their own candidacies.

While he knows he will face questions from voters given his high profile as a minister in the Christy Clark government — including serving as education minister during the 2014 teachers' strike — he is optimistic about his chances. 

"When you're in a position of responsibility, there will be people who agree and people who disagree, and that's the beauty of democracy," he said. 

"I'm prepared to stand on my record and the things I advocated for."