At the December 2nd Council meeting, Langley Township Council passed a 5–4 motion to allow Council meeting attendance via Zoom. Bylaw No. 6071 amends the Council Procedure Bylaw to expand the permitted use of electronic attendance for Regular Council Meetings.

Unsurprisingly, it was Mayor Woodward and his closest allies who supported the motion: Councillors Tim Baillie, Steve Ferguson, Rob Rindt, and Misty Van Popta.

The rule change was proposed two weeks after Van Popta was elected as MLA for Langley-Walnut Grove on October 19th. However, unlike other newly-elected MLAs who stepped away from their municipal offices to focus on their provincial responsibilities, Van Popta plans to hold onto both roles.

With this rule change, Van Popta can now attempt to perform council duties via Zoom while spending five days of the week (or more) in Victoria. The flexing of the previous rules not only makes her dual role feasible, but also allows her to retain her $65,000 council salary alongside her $120,000 MLA income—funded by taxpayers.

A Timely Vote

The fact that Van Popta decided to participate in the vote is highly questionable, given the favourable logistics, financial, and other benefits she stands to gain. Other councillors, such as Kim Richter, have recused themselves from votes in similar situations (potential of perception for pecuniary gain) under the Community Charter’s conflict-of-interest provisions. 

Councillor Van Popta not only stayed in the room, but cast the deciding vote for a rule change that enabled her to get a second taxpayer-funded job.

Mayor Eric Woodward, who campaigned in 2022 on promises of fairness and transparency, also supported the motion. Van Popta has been a stalwart pro-Woodward vote on Council, and he may be fearing that a byelection could result in a more independently-minded councillor.

Governance or Convenience?

This Woodwardian vote is not the first this year to spark concerns about conflicts of interest. Earlier this year, Councillor Rob Rindt faced scrutiny after voting against an expansion application from West Creek Farms—a nearby competitor to his family’s business. Despite clear similarities to situations that have prompted recusal from other councillors, Rindt participated in that vote too.

While the November 4th motion can be spun as a modernization of council operations, its timing and immediate impact invite speculation. Is this a—belated—step forward in accessibility, or a measure tailored to preserve the influence of key players?

Langley residents are left wondering if their council’s decisions reflect the broader public good—or the personal convenience of the majority slate