Last night I attended the Willoughby Residents Association’s All Candidates Meeting. And, like the others I’ve been a part of, it turned out to be a great evening of questions from engaged residents. This question was asked of candidates, and I paraphrase: How did you prepare for the campaign and, potentially, a seat on Langley Township Council? I think the answer is worth sharing.

“Social issues have been ignored for too long and that is why we are committing this government, and future governments, to break the cycle of poverty and improve people’s lives.” - Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction

It’s no secret that the Township of Langley is home to low-income residents and to residents experiencing homelessness. The evidence is all around us, and as predisposed as many residents are to respond to solutions with “not-in-my-backyard,” it’s beyond time to work out a strategy because poverty is in our backyard. Agencies and non-profits have been active in both the Township and the City for a long while, working hard to help individuals and families in a variety of ways:

“… the Township of Langley is home to more than 121,000 residents… There are over 63,000 people in the Township’s labour force… nearly a 67% participation rate, 62% aged 55 or younger” and “51% of the population having some form of higher education.” – Township of Langley

This is how the Township of Langley currently promotes itself, with more of the same on the Trade and Invest BC website. It’s a great story to tell the world, and it’s true – as far as it goes. But let’s talk about Township residents who are not included in the description above.

STACEY WAKELIN’s decision to run for Township of Langley Council in the 2018 Municipal Election did not come out of nowhere. Some background info is provided in her blog post Why I’m in the Race, but we have much more detail on our recently published IN THE NEWS page.

LETTERS

CALL TO ACTION: To Minister of Education Rob Fleming, BCTF President Glen Hansman, MLA Jane Thornthwaite (Mental Health Critic), and MLA Dan Davies (Education Critic), September 17, 2018

"Where is the action and where is the leadership by those elected to do the job? Where are the inclusive Church Leaders, while religion is being used as both a weapon and an excuse for discriminatory behaviour?" - Stacey Wakelin Stacey Wakelin for Langley

TO THE EDITOR: Housing needed to tackle rising homelessness problem, June 11, 2017

"We are past the point of ignoring the problem... We need a comprehensive plan because poverty or homelessness just doesn’t go away. Is the perceived danger truly insurmountable or is compromise possible? It is time now, to figure that out." – Stacey Wakelin Langley Advance

TO THE EDITOR: Remember that the Langley public school LGBTQ debate is about children, June 8, 2017

"It’s not just about sex, it’s about respecting each other. Just like the fight over bathrooms, isn’t really about bathrooms. I’m all for each person having an opinion, however, when it encourages discrimination, I cannot keep quiet." – Stacey Wakelin Langley Advance

EVENTS

PANELIST: Advocacy Works 2.0: Parents taking action for safe, inclusive schools, Plenary Session, April 21, 2018 British Columbia Teachers Federation

DELEGATION: Safe Place Program Campaign (Brad Dirks and Stacey Wakelin), Township of Langley, March 5, 2018 Township of Langley Meeting Minutes

GUEST: Introductions by Hon. R. Fleming, Hansard, November 23, 2017 BC Legislature Hansard

DELEGATION: Langley Parents for Inclusivity (Stacey Wakelin), Regular Meeting of the Board of Education, September 26, 2017 Board of Education Meeting Minutes

PEOPLE FIRST

ELECTION: Langley Township council candidate Stacey Wakelin, Oct. 18, 2018

"Who is your favourite superhero, and why? A local high school student, in the midst of an exceptionally difficult time in their life, chose to use their voice to make life better for others." - Stacey Wakelin Langley Advance

We asked, they answered: Township council candidates talk about development, transit, more, Oct. 3, 2018

"Let’s support growth that respects the environment, strives to meet the needs of all residents — including those with complex needs, including our seniors, homeless neighbours, etc." - Stacey Wakelin Langley Times 

Stacey Wakelin - Candidate, Township of Langley Council – SOGI Is A Civil Rights Issue by Don Lehn, Sept. 29, 2018

"I see SOGI as a civil rights issue first and foremost. As a Councillor I believe inclusion should be a priority. As a fast growing community, our population will become more diverse and we need to represent ALL." - Stacey Wakelin Fraser Valley News

B.C. man faces deportation for membership in hate groups in England in 1990s by Paul Henderson, Sept. 4, 2018

“What inspires me most about Nick is his capacity to remain true to his mission in life – to share kindness and to drown out hate. The mistakes made while he was young are being used to make this country a better place.” – Stacey Wakelin Aldergrove Star | Langley Times

New inclusion rally being organized for June 19 by Roxanne Hooper, June 6, 2018

“Human rights aren’t up for debate in Langley.” – Stacey Wakelin Aldergrove Star | BC Local News | Langley Advance

B.C. Hells Angels invited to rally by anti-SOGI organizer by Matthew Claxton, April 24, 2018

“… the presence of Hells Angels members won’t stop [Stacey Wakelin] from attending future rallies. ‘I’m past the point of being afraid,’ Wakelin said. However, she worried what effect it could have on others, particularly vulnerable people in the LGBTQ community.” Aldergrove Star | Langley Advance

Protests over LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum in B.C. schools spark counter-protests by Tess van Straaten, April 23, 2018

“I think there are kids out there who have not felt included and that have felt afraid to be who they are, and this is just catching up and including them.” - Stacey Wakelin CHEK News

Langley mom takes inclusion movement B.C.-wide by Roxanne Hooper, November 20, 2017

“This event is a call to action for everyone who supports the health and safety of all children in the community.” – Stacey Wakelin Aldergrove Star | BC Local News

Langley parent group hosts public meeting on school LGBTQ policy by Heather Colpitts, October 3, 2017

“This is not the school board. This is parents helping parents. I feel there is a desire in the community to have a dialogue, and I thought it was important to be facilitated by experts in their field.” – Stacey Wakelin Aldergrove Star | Langley Advance

Langley parents to rally in support of LGBTQ curriculum by Jonathon Brown, September 25, 2017

“I feel like this isn’t a religious conversation; it’s about equal human rights. All kids deserve to be included in their education and to feel safe.” – Stacey Wakelin City News 1130

Compassion overflowing in a pop-up store for homeless in Langley by Roxanne Hooper, February 16, 2017

“’There are so many conversations that meant a lot to me, the human connection that happens between two people,’ [Stacey] Wakelin said. ‘For instance, one guest reminded me that she was not ‘homeless.’ She has a home which is Langley, however, she is houseless.’” Langley Advance

COMMUNITY FIRST

Protesters argue both sides of B.C.’s SOGI curriculum at teachers’ union office by Matthew Claxton, April 23, 2018

“It was kind of a celebration of the support that we know is in the community.” – Stacey Wakelin BC Local News | Langley Advance

Safe Place campaign for LGBTQ residents expanding to Fraser Valley by Matthew Claxton, March 5, 2018

“’It tells people the facility… is supportive or inclusive, but it also is a dialogue starter,’ said [Stacey] Wakelin. She hopes it will get people talking about inclusivity in Langley.” Aldergrove Star | Langley Advance

Community Connections Newsletter: Stories that Bring Us Together and Literacy through Arts by Staff Member, January 3, 2018 Options Community Services

BC's sexual orientation and gender identity education under fire again in Chilliwack by Stephanie Froese, November 22, 2017

“I think we need to all look at this as an important topic of conversation. It shouldn’t be this sensationalized. Our group has always been about support and education. I feel like we’re missing a very big piece of the education puzzle here.” – Stacey Wakelin City News 1130

Langley woman wants to bring the community to the dinner table by Monique Tamminga, November 9, 2017

“As we sit beside other members of our community — perhaps people we would never meet — and share a meal, we are strengthening the core of our community.”- Stacey Wakelin Aldergrove Star | Langley Times

Parents are standing up for LGBT-inclusive education in BC’s Bible Belt by Hannah Ackeral, September 27, 2017

“I think that Langley gets a bit of a bad rep — people say we’re in the Bible Belt, we’re not progressive, we’re not inclusive — that sort of thing. I don’t believe that to be true. I know the Langley with a big heart and I wanted to show people that.” - Stacey Wakelin Xtra

Parents rally on both sides of new SOGI curriculum by Monique Tamminga, September 11, 2017

“That was my lightbulb moment and I decided to start the Facebook page. Then I decided to hold a meeting to gather parents to put together facts and real expert opinions, so we can show up at the next school board meeting to show our support for SOGI in the curriculum.” – Stacey Wakelin BC Local News | Langley Times

Langley women suggest everyone walk the streets, meet the people by Roxanne Hooper, December 17, 2016

“’I wish every member of the community, and especially members of government, would walk the streets and meet the people living on them,’ [Stacey] Wakelin said. ‘It would cure the misconception that homeless people are addicts and criminals. Several of the people we met work five days a week and due to circumstances are without a home,’ she shared.” Langley Advance

Langley family breakfast ignites idea for Oatmeal Project by Roxanne Hopper, December 16, 2016

“Finding ways to give back locally is a passion of mine.” - Stacey Wakelin Langley Advance

INTERVIEWS

Sexual orientation and gender identity in schools. The politics of apologies. April 22, 2018 BC Almanac

Making safe spaces in Langley on The John McComb Show, March 6, 2018 Global News Radio

Langley parents to rally in support of LGBTQ support program by Charmaine de Silva, September 15, 2017 Global News Radio

AWARDS

2015 British Columbia Multicultural Awards Nominee

2016 You’ve Gotta Have Friends Community Builder Award Recipient

2017 Langley Advance Best of the Best Volunteer Award Recipient

2018 Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Awards Champion of Diversity Award Nominee

Inclusive: not excluding any particular groups of people: an inclusive society.

Inclusiveness: treating all groups or all members of a group equally; every single person without exception.

Inclusivity: the fact or policy of not excluding members or participants on the grounds of gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, etc.

And, let’s remember that inclusivity also refers to removing financial barriers that may limit, or prevent a family’s full participation in the community. For example, all families should have: