The lowest property taxes in the region and a debt reduction path paid by growth
Progress for Langley's plan promised more cost savings in administration and maintenance, lower utility costs, the lowest property taxes in the region, and a common sense financial plan with a path to reduce debt while growth pays for growth. Its accomplishments page claims $13 million in operating savings and paying off capital debt funded by property taxes. CBC reported the Township had authorized $602 million in debt; Woodward said growth revenues would pay it down.
TAXES AND THE CITY BUDGET
Progress for Langley on budget
The plan page promises a plan for affordability with more cost savings in administration and maintenance, lower utility costs and the lowest property taxes in the region, and a common sense financial plan with a clear path for debt reduction and improved services, with growth paying for growth. The accomplishments page claims the organization paid off long-standing capital debt funded by property taxes and found $13 million in operating efficiencies and savings. Those are the organization's own claims.
CBC reported on April 23, 2026 that the Township had authorized $602 million in debt for fire halls, soccer fields, playgrounds and City-managed housing, that it had the highest debt per person of any major BC city, and that the Township said it could borrow another $350 million before reaching a projected limit of $950 million. Woodward said borrowing locked in construction costs and that development revenues of $95 million in 2024 and $101 million in 2025 would service the debt. CTV reported on October 9, 2026 that Woodward put his term's borrowing at more than $400 million.
The Langley Advance Times reported that Council passed the 2026 budget, with a 3.97 per cent property tax increase, by five votes to four on March 9, 2026, with the five Progress for Langley members in favour. Councillor Whitmarsh said debt servicing had reached $53 million a year and was projected to reach $74 million by 2030; Woodward said it would not reach that level.
3 PUBLISHED COMMITMENTS
What they say they will do
The lowest property taxes in the region
The plan promises the lowest property taxes in the region, with more cost savings in administration and maintenance and lower utility costs. It names no rate.
A common sense financial plan with a debt reduction path
The plan promises a clear path for debt reduction and improved services, with growth paying for growth. Woodward told CTV that growth revenues would pay the debt down.
More finished roads, parks and facilities
The plan promises to finish roads such as 202 Street and Fraser Highway, close gaps in sidewalks and trails, a new Central Park, a Willoughby Community Centre, a new fire hall for Willoughby and Walnut Grove, and more for Aldergrove, Brookswood and Walnut Grove. It names no costs.
What is not published
- The plan names no tax rate, no debt target and no costs for the projects it lists.
- The savings and debt claims on the accomplishments page are the organization's own account.
Sources
A source marked SAYS SO ITSELF is the party's own material. It proves what the party claims, not that the claim is true.
- Register of Elector Organizations by Jurisdiction, as of October 30, 2026 Elections BC · published · checked
- Elector organizations: registration and financial reporting Elections BC · checked
- Financial Reports and Political Contributions System: local elections scanned reports search Elections BC · checked
- Contract With Langley Association disclosure statement, 2022 general local election, Township of Langley (Amendment 3) Elections BC · published · checked
- Contract With Langley Association disclosure statement, 2022 general local election, Langley School District (Amendment 3) Elections BC · published · checked
- Progress for Langley Association annual financial report, 2025 Elections BC · published · checked
- 2026 Election Results Township of Langley · checked
- About the Candidates, 2026 Elections Township of Langley · checked
- Progress For Langley: home page (Internet Archive copy of October 5, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFProgress for Langley · checked
- Progress For Langley: A Plan For Langley, 2026 (Internet Archive copy of October 10, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFProgress for Langley · checked
- Progress For Langley: Council Accomplishments 2023 to 2026 (Internet Archive copy of October 5, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFProgress for Langley · checked
- Progress For Langley: What's At Risk (Internet Archive copy of October 14, 2026) SAYS SO ITSELFProgress for Langley · checked
- Progress for Langley Association, 2026 BC Local Elections VoteMate · checked
- Two Township council candidates will be running under new ‘Contract With Langley’ civic party banner Aldergrove Star · published · checked
- Contract with Langley takes three seats on school board Aldergrove Star · published · checked
- Langley school trustee leaves Contract with Langley slate Aldergrove Star · published · checked
- B.C. municipal election 2022: Township of Langley results Global News · published · checked
- Township Mayor Eric Woodward could run candidates in adjacent City of Langley next election CBC News · published · checked
- Langley Township takes on big debts for big projects CBC News · published · checked
- New slate Langley Strong to contest Township elections Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Township budget passes after acrimonious council meeting Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Woodward officially running for second term as Langley Township mayor Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Two Langley councillors drop libel lawsuit against fellow politicians, others Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- New candidate Park joins Progress For Langley slate Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Legal action targets Township mayor, councillors over previous lawsuit Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Langley Strong accuses Progress slate of breaking ad rules Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Mayor, Langley Township respond to latest court action Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Langley Strong wins mayor’s seat, 6 of 8 council positions in Township Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- Woodward responds to defamation lawsuit Langley Advance Times · published · checked
- It’s all about the money: The financial focus in Langley’s fight for the mayor’s chair CTV News · published · checked