Tight race for votes in booming Langley, B.C., where housing and health care are top of mind
Community split into 3 ridings for 2025 federal election as population surges toward 200,000
One of B.C.'s fastest growing communities is split into three separate ridings, and polls suggest all three of them could be hotly contested on election day.
For the 2025 federal election, Langley has been redrawn from two to three separate ridings: Abbotsford–South Langley and Langley Township–Fraser Heights (formerly Langley–Aldergrove), alongside the longstanding Cloverdale–Langley City, which also had minor boundary changes.
According to the 2024 census, the combined population of both Langley Township and Langley City has reached 197,585 — up by about 17 per cent compared to 2021.
The steady population growth has led to a host of changes and challenges. CBC News spoke with Langley voters ahead of the federal election to find out what matters to them.
Housing affordability and homelessness
Heather Jenkins has watched her community grow right outside her storefront. She's run 1 Fish 2 Fish seafood shop in Langley City Centre for 27 years.
"There's more apartment buildings opening up, more townhouses. It's going to be a bursting city in no time," she told CBC News. "Hopefully, we keep up with the services that we need."
The Township of Langley projects its population will double to about 211,000 residents by 2041.
Langley City has set an annual housing target of 1,844 net new builds each year.
During this period of growth, the community's homeless population has also grown. According to the 2023 Homeless Count in Greater Vancouver, there were 235 homeless residents in Langley, up 12 per cent from 2020.
"Homelessness is a big issue," said Corina Orobko, a health-care worker in Langley. "Some services for folks who are struggling with mental health and addictions issues I think are a little bit on the low side, or not as accessible in Langley.
Calls for better health care
Residents are also critical of health care in the region, which is largely served by one hospital — Langley Memorial — that is among the centres that are on the front lines of emergency room overcrowding in B.C.
Jorgina Loosley, 77, is among the residents who have had trouble accessing services over the years.
"When I've been ill, it was a long wait," said Loosluy. "Sometimes it was annoying that you had to wait for hours to get in when you were in pain."
Pinkan Wuwundan says she's avoided the hospital altogether.
"I had an appointment for a mammogram, so I tried to book an appointment at Memorial Hospital, but it was three months or more, so I ended up booking it in Vancouver, and it was only a month," said Wuwundan.
"We need more clinics here," she said.
Traffic, transit and congestion
In Langley City, the combination of street construction and a growing population has led to increased congestion on some streets.
"The traffic has grown exponentially," said Orboko, who commutes to Langley City five days a week. "Congestion on the roads, especially in City Centre, and the [Willoughby] area make it very tough to get around."
A SkyTrain extension connecting King George Station to Langley City Centre is expected to be completed in 2029.
"I think it might help with the congestion if people take the transit and SkyTrain," said Orboko, adding that its completion is still a long way off.
Based on modelling and analysis from 338canada.com, all three Langley ridings are narrowly contested, with Langley Township–Fraser Heights and Cloverdale–Langley City leaning in favour of the Liberals, while Abbotsford–South Langley is considered a toss-up between the Liberals and Conservatives.
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