Langley Township byelection: Who are the seven candidates?

Langley Township residents will head to the polls on Saturday, October 25, to elect a new councillor following the resignation of Misty Van Popta.

The byelection comes after the provincial government passed the Eligibility to Hold Public Office Act, which prohibited MLAs from simultaneously serving in municipal elected positions.

Van Popta, who was elected as the B.C. Conservative MLA for Langley-Walnut Grove in last fall's provincial election, had initially planned to maintain both roles. However, the new legislation effectively forced her resignation from Township council, creating the vacancy that this byelection will fill.

The winning candidate will serve out the remainder of the current council term, which expires in October 2026. Seven candidates have entered the race, bringing a diverse range of backgrounds and priorities to voters.

As this byelection campaign progresses, we'll be publishing detailed summaries of each candidate's platform positions on key issues facing Langley Township.

We encourage readers to visit BetterLangley.com, an invaluable resource that has been tracking candidate platforms and providing comprehensive coverage of local election issues.

Their work helps ensure voters can make informed decisions based on substantive policy positions rather than just candidate biographies.

Check back here regularly (or subscribe to our newsletter) for deeper analysis of where each candidate stands on housing, infrastructure, fiscal management, and other priorities that will shape the Township's future, and visit BetterLangley.com for ongoing updates throughout the campaign.

Resha Sabti

Resha Sabti is an environmental engineer with a Master of Applied Science from UBC.

A 15-year Langley resident and mother of twin boys, Sabti has served as PAC president at James Kennedy Elementary in Walnut Grove.

She emphasizes her ability to listen patiently and see multiple perspectives on issues.

Her platform focuses on addressing property tax and utility billing changes, expanding affordable housing options, increasing swimming lessons and pool access, and improving scooter safety for children.

Running as an independent, Sabti says she hopes to preserve Langley's "special flavour" while addressing community needs through consultation and collaboration.

Blair Whitmarsh

Blair Whitmarsh is seeking to return to Township council after serving two terms from 2014 to 2022.

He is currently Dean of the School of Human Kinetics & Athletics at Trinity Western University and has deep roots in Langley, having first arrived in 1984 to attend TWU.

Whitmarsh previously ran for mayor in 2022, finishing second with 6,805 votes to Eric Woodward's 10,911.

His platform centers on fiscal responsibility and prudent financial stewardship, arguing that "rising costs are putting pressure on families and residents" and that "infrastructure needs and spending are increasing our debt load."

He emphasizes the need for experienced leadership that can "step up from day one" and advocates for responsible growth, housing affordability, and business-friendly economic policies.

John Aldag

John Aldag brings extensive political experience, having served two terms as Liberal MP for Cloverdale-Langley City from 2015 to 2019 and again from 2021 to 2024.

A former manager of Fort Langley National Historic Site with Parks Canada, Aldag moved to Langley in 2005 with his wife and three children, all of whom attended local schools.

His stated reason for entering municipal politics is a desire to be closer to home and work on issues that directly impact the community.

A key priority for Aldag is establishing a performing arts centre in the Township, a project he worked on securing federal funding for during his time as an MP.

He emphasizes the importance of strong relationships between council, other levels of government, businesses, and non-profit organizations.

Aldag's recent political journey has been eventful: he resigned his federal seat in 2024 to run unsuccessfully as an NDP candidate in Langley-Abbotsford, then returned as a Liberal candidate earlier this year in Langley Township-Fraser Heights, losing to Conservative Tako Van Popta shortly after recovering from major heart surgery.

Val van den Broek

Val van den Broek served as mayor of Langley City from 2018 to 2022, along with previous service as a councillor.

She is currently in the process of moving to Aldergrove from the Langley.

A former civilian RCMP employee and Langley Auxiliary RCMP Constable, van den Broek brings experience in law enforcement issues and says one of her top priorities is addressing tensions between the City and Township regarding RCMP services.

She supported the Township's decision to split the shared police service and believes the City should have its own RCMP headquarters.

Her platform includes improving TransLink service for Langley, exploring a "South of the Fraser" regional governance model as an alternative to Metro Vancouver, and ensuring responsible growth with diverse housing options including co-ops, seniors' villages, and townhouses.

Van den Broek's tenure as City mayor included controversies such as being censured by council and making allegations of bullying and harassment against councillors.

She has announced plans to run again in the 2026 general civic elections regardless of the byelection outcome.

Jami Watson

Jami Watson is making her first run for office in Langley after previously running twice for council in Port Coquitlam in 2018 and 2022.

As a woman living with disabilities and a mother of children who are hard of hearing, Watson brings a strong focus on accessibility and inclusion.

Her decision to run was sparked in part by a frightening experience of being chased by a man hiding in bushes near a Walnut Grove trail, which reinforced her commitment to public safety issues.

"I want to be a voice for women on council," Watson says, noting that "there are not enough disabled voices at any table."

She advocates for safer neighbourhoods, responsible development, affordable housing, and stronger support for families and seniors.

Watson describes herself as someone who thrives on "tackling a problem, listening to as many voices as I can, and finding a solution."

She has already announced plans to run again in the 2026 general election, viewing this byelection as a way to "get warmed up."

Paul Chhina

Paul Chhina was born in India in 1958 and moved to British Columbia in 1973.

He worked 25 years in the aluminum industry as a crane operator and 12 years as a senior warehouseman.

Married to his wife Kiran for 46 years, Chhina has one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren.

His extensive community involvement includes helping build the Kitimat Sikh Temple, serving as an advisor to the RCMP committee on violence against women, and past service as Director & Treasurer of the Kitimat Chamber of Commerce.

He currently serves as an advisor to the Senior Citizen Committee at the Township of Langley and is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons of BC and former Vice President of the Peace Arch Shrine Club.

Chhina believes in progress through collaboration and envisions making the Township a safe, connected, and sustainable community for generations to come.

Saurabh Seth

Saurabh Seth immigrated to Canada in 2019 and settled in Langley in 2021 with his wife and two sons, ages 11 and five.

He has built a career as a risk and compliance professional with global firms and works as a business coach, helping local entrepreneurs with strategic planning, leadership development, and operational excellence.

Seth's platform emphasizes enhanced youth and family services, safe and accessible infrastructure, and streamlined small-business support programs.

He prioritizes transparent decision-making and responsible fiscal management, and aims to improve collaboration with community groups and Langley City.

"Once I decided that I should represent the community, the real question for me was why wait?" Seth says, viewing the byelection as both a learning opportunity and a chance to make meaningful contributions immediately.

While he appreciates the Township's ambition in making big investments, he expresses concern about "the loss of trust and collaboration with community partners like LAPS and even with Langley City."

Voting information

Voters have two opportunities to cast their ballot:

Advance voting is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on five different days:

• Wednesday, October 15: Langley Events Centre, West Gym (7888 - 200 Street)
• Thursday, October 16: George Preston Recreation Centre, Rooms B and C (20699 - 42 Avenue)
• Saturday, October 18: Airport Meeting Room, 3rd floor (5385 - 216 Street)
• Tuesday, October 21: salishan Place by the River Banquet Hall, 3rd floor (23430 Mavis Avenue)
• Wednesday, October 22: Aldergrove Community Centre (27032 Fraser Highway)

General voting day is Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nine voting locations will be open:

• Aldergrove Community Secondary School (26850 - 29 Avenue)
• Dorothy Peacock Elementary School (20292 - 91A Avenue)
• Fort Langley Elementary School (8877 Bartlett Street)
• George Preston Recreation Centre, Rooms B and C (20699 - 42 Avenue)
• Glenwood Elementary School (20785 - 24 Avenue)
• James Hill Elementary School (22144 Old Yale Road)
• James Kennedy Elementary School (9060 - 212 Street)
• Lynn Fripps Elementary School (21020 - 83 Avenue)
• R.C. Garnett Demonstration Elementary School (7096 - 201 Street)

Eligible voters can vote at any voting location. Due to the Canada Post labour disruption, Voter Notification Cards may not be mailed to registered resident electors, but voters do not need a card to vote.

If you are not registered on the 2025 voters list, you can register at any voting location by bringing two acceptable forms of identification. Acceptable ID includes BC driver's licence, BC identification card, BC services card, credit card, debit card, social insurance card, Canadian citizenship card, Township property tax statement, BC care card, utility bill, ICBC owner's certificate and vehicle licence, or Ministry of Social Development forms.

The winning candidate will join the current eight-member council, which includes a five-member majority from the Progress For Langley slate, and serve until the general civic elections in October 2026.