The Township’s Financial Statements give alot of truth - but what you want is Transparency.

There's much to be proud of in the Township - and there are alot of positive & genuinely exciting things taking place. That's obvious to see!

And if you want the truth; that numbers add up and balance , you’ll definitely find that in the report.

If you want the meaning behind the numbers, the real story - that requires transparency and that’s what’s lacking.

Now - most people will never sit down and read the Township’s audited financial statements.

I get that.

They are long, technical, and written in accounting language that makes it difficult to see what is really happening.

These numbers matter - they do tell a story.

But to understand the story behind them, they often need translating.

That's where transparency comes in.

Truth means the numbers are accurate.

Transparency means you can actually understand what those numbers mean and what the possible consequences and impacts are.

One should support the other.

Too often, there is a gap between what is technically reported and what is plainly explained.

After reading the Township's 2025 audited financial statements carefully, I believe you deserve a much clearer explanation.

Here is what I’m seeing in simple plain english.

📊 THE SURPLUS - WHAT IT REALLY MEANS

The Township reported a $203 million annual surplus in 2025.

That sounds good, right?

It does not mean the Township has $203 million sitting around to reduce taxes, pay down debt, or make life more affordable.

Under public-sector accounting rules, that surplus includes things like developer-built infrastructure transferred to the Township, capital accounting entries, and gains from selling public assets.

Think of it this way.

Someone gives you an expensive vehicle.

You don't have its the value of that car now sitting in your bank account.

You have the vehicle - but you now also have the monthly costs of insurance, maintenance, repairs, fuel, and future replacement costs.

A large accounting surplus is not the same as extra cash available to lower your taxes or ease household pressure.

A clean audit means the statements were prepared properly according to accounting standards.

It does not mean every financial decision was wise.

It does not mean the debt is comfortable.

It does not mean reserves are adequate.

It does not mean future household costs are protected.

📈 DEBT - THE NUMBER THAT MATTERS MOST

While the Township reported a large surplus, debt was rising sharply at the same time.

Debt and agreements payable went from $317 million to $584 million.

• That's an increase of about $267 million in one year

Net debt went from $8.5 million to $131 million

• Future debt payments are now projected at roughly $46–49 million per year through 2030

There is also about $152 million in temporary borrowing.

Temporary borrowing may sound short term.

But the financial statements say part of that has already been converted to long-term debt in 2026 - with the rest expected to follow, repayable over 10 to 30 years.

Short-term borrowing is quietly becoming your long-term household pressure.

Debt becomes annual payments. 

Annual payments become budget pressure. 

Budget pressure eventually shows up through your taxes, fees, and delayed services.

💸 THE MISSING $30 MILLION AND THE ASSET SALE

The Township budgeted for $56 million in grants in 2025.

It received $26 million.

• That is a $30 million shortfall, buried in the financial statements with no plain-language explanation. 

In the same year, the statements show about $39.7 million in proceeds from selling public assets, with a $35.4 million gain.

• Were these connected?

• Did asset sales help fill a grant gap, replenish reserves, or offset pressure somewhere else?

If not — Council should explain clearly how the grant shortfall was handled and where the asset sale proceeds went.

Because public assets are not found money

They belong to you. Once they're sold, they're gone.

Questions then;

What was sold? 

Why? 

Was it independently appraised? 

Who approved it?

Was the decision made in open or closed Council? 

Where did the money go?

🏛️ SPENDING WENT OVER BUDGET , WITH NO EXPLANATION

The report's own numbers show spending exceeded what Council approved in multiple areas:

• Area Over Budget By

• Administration $4.9 million

• Recreation & Culture $7.5 million

• Parks $5.5 million

Total $17.9 million

A budget is not just a suggestion.

It is the financial commitment Council makes to the public.

When spending exceeds it by nearly $18 million in three areas alone you are owed an explanation.

👥 STAFFING COSTS JUMPED $14 MILLION IN ONE YEAR

Township salaries and wages increased

• $128 million to $142 million in a single year.

• Payroll liabilities also increased from about $13.6 million to $20.3 million.

The financial statements record these numbers accurately.

But they do not explain them. That’s another conversation owed. 

Was it new staffing? 

Contract increases? 

Overtime? 

Reorganization?

That matters even more in a year when net debt increased so dramatically and spending ran over budget in multiple departments.

🏦 RESERVES - THE FULL PICTURE

Overall reserves increased from about $98.5 million to $152 million.

That sounds positive.

But let's look closer.

The Land Capital Reserve went from $0 in 2024 to $37.7 million in 2025.

In the same year, the Township reported about $39.7 million in asset sale proceeds.

If there is a connection, it should be clearly explained.

Reserves strengthened by selling a public assets are not the same as ongoing financial health.

🚧 CAPITAL PROJECTS - COSTS THAT DON'T DISAPPEAR

Assets under construction increased from about $143 million to $316 million in one year.

That is expected to some degree in a growing community like ours.

I support that.

But unfinished projects still need to be completed, funded, staffed, maintained, every year following and eventually replaced.

The capital cost does not disappear AND we’ve yet to add the future operating costs.  

These projects are not operationally break even - they will be subsidized every year following with increasing adjustments year over year.  

So those costs will just moves forward - next year and the year after, etc , etc

⚠️ THE REAL ISSUE

The real issue is not whether the Township can technically balance its books.

Municipalities could always raise taxes, increase fees, borrow more, defer projects, or sell assets.

The real issue is whether today's financial choices are quietly creating tomorrow's household costs.

The audited statements show serious warning lights:

• Debt rising by $267 million in one year

• Temporary borrowing converting into 10–30 year deb

• A $30 million grant shortfall with no public explanation

• Nearly $18 million in over-budget spending

• A $14 million jump in staffing costs

• $39.7 million in asset sales that needs explaining

• Reserve changes that don't reflect true ongoing strength

• Capital pressure still building

The Township is not out of money.

But these numbers deserve more than a quick approval at a Council meeting.

They deserve public transparency.

They deserve clear answers.

Because accountability is not achieved by simply releasing numbers.

It is achieved when you can understand what those numbers mean, why they changed, and how those decisions may affect you.

That is the standard taxpayers deserve.

It is one reason why I'm running for Township Council on October 17th as an Independent:

To get straight answers, not slate answers.

"Township Council invites the public to provide comments on the 2025 Draft Annual Report of the Corporation of the Township of Langley by delegation to the Regular Council Meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 1:30pm, at the Township Civic Facility (20338 – 65 Avenue), Fraser River Presentation Theatre, 4^th Floor.

Written comments will be accepted by email prior to 10am on June 25 at legservicesinfo@tol.ca. Requests to appear as a delegation can be made here."