I am running for re-election to Township of Langley Council
It’s been an honour to serve the residents of the Township of Langley since 2018.
Who could have imagined the events that would transpire these past few years and the impact it would have on our lives, yet despite the challenging circumstances I’m proud of what our council accomplished together this past term.
Langley is growing and as more people choose to make this place their home, good planning and vision are needed to manage the growth to continue moving our community forward in a positive direction.
Issues facing our community:
- People are in desperate need of housing; affordable, available and accessible homes to live in.
- Planning for and maintaining our parks and recreation facilities.
- Road and transportation issues
- Meeting public safety needs for a growing population.
- Fiscal and social responsibilities.
If re-elected I look forward to tackling these issues, making the important decisions that move our community forward, ensuring residents continue to enjoy an amazing quality of life in the Township of Langley.
Local government is the closest government to the people.
Like Township of Langley residents, I expect our Mayor and council to be collaborative, govern with integrity, have respect for fellow citizens, be good stewards of the municipalities assets and informed about the issues.
Most of all, dedicated to serve the entire community with a vision for the future.
I will continue to uphold these values.
Margaret Kunst
Vander Hoek
A proud Langley resident with deep roots in the community.
I was born and raised in Langley and, together with my husband of 34 years, raised four children here. A small business owner in the agriculture sector for over 20 years, I’ve also worked in Vancouver’s tourism industry and served for 10 years as operations director for the PuCKS Powerplay Foundation, a local non-profit organization that promotes community connection for young people through literacy and sport. I currently work part time for an Immigration Consulting Firm assisting business owners fill employment gaps and navigate Canada’s temporary foreign worker program.
As a volunteer, I have spent many years helping new Canadians establish their lives in the community of Langley.
In 2018, I was elected to the Council of the Township of Langley. As a council member, my experience includes serving on a variety of committees and boards, including:
- Heritage Advisory Committee – Co-Chair
- Immigration and Refugee Advisory Committee – Member
- Board of Variance – Member
- Langley Tourism Board – Member
- Seniors Transportation Working Group – Member
Platform
Smart and Sustainable Development
The Township of Langley through its Sustainability Charter, Community and Neighborhoods Plans have clear goals and guidelines to ensure our communities are socially, culturally, economically and environmentally balanced keeping the present and future generations in mind.
Practically speaking:
Developing communities with trees and parks, where transit, shopping and amenities are within walking and biking distance. Affordable, walkable neighborhoods that people are proud to call home now and in the future.
Affordable Housing
People need housing, affordable, available and accessible homes to live in.
The cost of housing grows each year. When an old building comes down a more expensive one goes up the impact is felt by our most vulnerable – seniors, young people and hardworking families. Where do they go now and how much will it cost to buy or rent in the future?
This past term Council approved many types of housing options including co-op, seniors, supportive and affordable housing.
And more needs to be done!
We must consider all populations that make up our community and work together with all levels of government to address this basic need keeping our community a place where everyone can thrive.
Business Friendly
With a business-friendly focus and its central location, Langley continues to attract important job generating companies making Langley a great place to work and do business.
Businesses and light industry generate important revenue and pay 36% of the total taxes in the TOL as well as support many of our non-profits and local initiatives.
We need to continue to develop and support policies that encourage development and growth for large- and small-scale business owners. Ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to start, grow and develop their business so they stay strong employers in our community.
The Township of Langley is currently seeing a lot of applications for large and small-scale projects and developments. The current wait times for permits is unacceptable and causing much frustration for builders, developers and even residents with a small project. Hiring more staff, reducing red tape and streamlining our processes is a priority next term.
Transportation
SKYTRAIN is coming to Langley!
Transit MUST play a role to alleviate the congestion Langley is seeing as one of the fastest growing communities in Metro Vancouver.
We need to continue to advocate for rapid busses on our transit corridors and better transit services to more areas in Langley including our rural and employment lands.
Road Safety
Safety on our streets is a major concern for residents living in the Township of Langley. With 907 kilometres of roads weaving through rural, urban and industrial lands and a growing population, frustration with congestion, unfinished roads and sidewalks impact all residents in the TOL and will continue to be a priority next term.
Seniors Shuttle Bus
I value our seniors and the contributions they make to our community.
Our seniors need better transportation options and why I put forward a motion to explore the feasibility of a free senior’s shuttle in the Township of Langley.
Our population is aging, Stats Canada estimates that 30% of seniors are at risk of becoming socially isolated causing depression and loneliness. Loss of a licence, lack of mobility and low income are identified as factors that put seniors at risk.
Langley Seniors In Action conducted a survey showing strong support for improved transportation services. Transportation also emerged as a key challenge in the TOL’s Age and Dementia Friendly Action Plan and a concrete step to becoming an age friendly community with a vision for the future needs of our aging population.
Public safety is one of the most important duties an elected official is charged with. Our job is to make decisions and commit the necessary resources to ensure our first responders can safely do the job they are trained to do to obtain the best possible outcomes. With our population projected to double by 2040 more pressure will be put on our first responders to keep our communities safe.
Police
Residents are concerned with increased criminal activity in their neighborhoods.
In 2019 I supported hiring 10 additional police officers to ensure our community maintains the cop to pop ratio recommended for our population. I will continue to support our police officers to ensure they have the resources and staff needed now and in the future.
Fire
When emergencies arise our TOL Firefighters go above and beyond to keep our community safe.
The mental health and safety of our firefighters is a top priority and why I supported hiring additional firefighters last year. They must have the appropriate resources needed to protect our community and themselves to ensure the best possible safety outcomes. This includes new and updated fire halls, modern equipment and guaranteed safe staffing levels that never fall below the industry standard of 4 per apparatus.
Langley has beautiful parks and green spaces and they are an important part of a healthy, sustainable community.
Parks
Let’s leave a legacy and complete The Arbour Ribbon Trail!
The Township of Langley’s Arbour Ribbon Trail system is a work in progress.
The concept, first put forward in 2004, is to strategically acquire trail and parkland to serve as a natural buffer between urban development and the Township’s rural lands.
Eventually the Ribbon will stretch from the Fraser River to the Canada US Border. The buffer will include a walking/bike trail offering another way to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in the Township of Langley.
This concept is similar in scope to the visionaries who had the foresight to preserve the jewel that is Stanley Park in 1889.
By making relatively modest investments now we can ensure a priceless future.
The Arbour Ribbon Trail is OUR jewel.
We need people who are committed to the concept and committed to creating a plan to complete it!
Recreation Facilities
The Township of Langley is home to world class sports venues, parks and recreation facilities. It allows us to host a variety of local and international events and championships and recently welcome a Premier League Soccer Team making Langley their new home.
Most importantly it allows us to provide residents of all ages quality recreation programs and services to stay healthy and active indoors and out.
Maintaining and updating our recreation facilities and making investments to include more ice arenas and swimming pools remains a priority as we plan for future growth in our municipality.
Municipalities are responsible for delivering a wide variety of services: water, sewer, maintaining roads, policing, firefighting and libraries to name a few.
Ensuring residents receive the best value for the taxes they pay to the Township of Langley remains a high priority for me.
More than ever before municipal councils are being asked to address social responsibilities previously funded by other levels of government.
Issues like child care spaces, mental health and addictions and women fleeing violence to name a few as an example.
I believe if we are able to make a difference in our capacity as councillors, we need to manage these requests with the tools available to us to make a difference where we can.
I will always be open to “listening to” and “working with” my council colleagues, staff and community partners in exploring options to address the needs of our community and to support the work of caring for our vulnerable populations in the Township of Langley.
Community Service
Promoting Community through Kids in Sport – Director 2010 – Present
“Keep kids in school using sports as a tool”
Proud member for over 12 years
“Using sport to enhance education and literacy is powerful. Sport and education can positively shape (and re-direct) individual lives. Strong individuals make strong communities. Strong communities are PuCKS foundation!!”
As a passionate hockey player for over 15 years, managing a women’s hockey league and a hockey mom to 4 kids who played, I am thankful to be involved in an organization that helps all kids, despite their socio-economic status, realize their hockey dreams.
Served on Immigration and Refugee Advisory Committee 2010 – 2021
Jobs and employment opportunities are critical to the economic health of our community. Employers are always asking how and where they can find good employees for their establishments.
The past 12 years I’ve worked directly with the newcomer population in Langley as they strive to make Langley their home. We need to connect their drive and determination with opportunities that will help them be successful citizens making them a vital part of our growing economy. Linking the different business sectors to this population is important and a win-win for business and our community.
Serving on Tourism of Langley Board – Council Rep 2018 – 2022
Tourism is an important industry in the Township of Langley.
Home to Historical Fort Langley, beautiful parks and trails, trendy restaurants, shopping and world class sporting venues.
DID YOU KNOW…
“Sport tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry with $3.4 billion in annual spending.” — Statistics Canada (2008)
A 16 team, weekend hockey tournament with 12 teams from out of town can easily inject $100,000 into the local economy in visitor spending.
Because of Langley’s world class sporting venues, it is a popular destination for domestic and International championships and competitions, drawing people from around the world.
This benefits local businesses, strengthens our local economy and leaves a lasting legacy for all our residents.
Serving on the Langley Seniors in Action Transportation Working Group 2021– 2022
Transportation for seniors is one of the issues highlighted in the TOL’s Age and Dementia Friendly Strategy. After attending Langley Seniors In Action Summit On Isolation in 2021, I volunteered to sit on a committee to explore a seniors shuttle in the Township of Langley. After a year of meetings with an incredible group of people we learned about some great initiatives like the senior’s shuttle in Delta. In March 2022, I put forward a motion that was supported by council to explore the feasibility of a free senior’s shuttle in the Township of Langley.
Serving on the Heritage Advisory Committee – Council Rep 2018 – 2022.
As Co-Chair of the Heritage Advisory Committee since being elected in 2018 I’ve learned so much about work being done to preserve the Township’s heritage buildings and the protection of our heritage conservation areas. Langley is rich in history. We are fortunate to have so many individuals willing to contribute to the promotion, appreciation, understanding, and advancement of heritage conservation in the Township of Langley.
Campaign Donations
LET’S TALK.
If you have any questions or ideas you would like to discuss please get in touch!