Former BC Liberal Minister Rich Coleman, who was marred in the BC money-laundering scandal when he was the Solicitor General, has entered the Mayor’s race in the Township of Langley, leading a new municipal team called Elevate Langley. Coleman, the longest serving MLA in Langley, said he looks forward to working with the next generation of leaders in Langley. “I love this community whether as a volunteer or in public service. I think with my leadership and the Elevate Langley team we can raise the bar and build an even better community. I have grown up doing public service all my life. I have more to give and I want to give it to this community.”

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

LANGLEY – Former BC Liberal Minister Rich Coleman, who was marred in the BC money-laundering scandal when he was the Solicitor General, has entered the Mayor’s race in the Township of Langley, leading a new municipal team called Elevate Langley. 

Coleman, the longest serving MLA in Langley, said he looks forward to working with the next generation of leaders in Langley. 

“I love this community whether as a volunteer or in public service. I think with my leadership and the Elevate Langley team we can raise the bar and build an even better community. I have grown up doing public service all my life. I have more to give and I want to give it to this community.”

“The team at Elevate Langley will bring a much-needed breath of fresh air into Township politics. They are all very accomplished and talented in their own fields and they are uniting to build a better community for all of us.” Coleman continued. “They’ve got innovative ideas and positive energy. I really enjoy working with them. Together we will raise the bar and deliver great results for Langley.”

Coleman delivered on a long list of projects within the Township of Langley that have come to define Langley including the Langley Events Center, the new $60 Million High School in Willoughby, plus numerous other schools, two Langley Memorial Hospital expansions, and the Langley Hospice. He has a long track record of bringing people together and getting things done for Langley.

“Whether it’s the new schools, the overpasses built at 200th Street and 216th Street, the Carvolth Exchange and the 202nd Street underpass my ability to bring people together contributed to delivering results. I think it’s important that the mayor is a leader with a team of people who work together to drive an agenda by listening to and working with the community. We can do great things together.”

As Solicitor General Coleman also created the integrated homicide investigation team (IHIT) and introduced PRIME where every police jurisdiction in BC is on the same network in real-time. BC is the only jurisdiction in North America to accomplish this. He also initiated the first gang task force in BC.

Coleman and his wife Michele have lived in Langley Township for thirty-eight years and he believes it’s the best city in which to raise a family, a remarkable community of people he calls the volunteer capital of Canada, built on volunteers and people who care about their neighbours.

A problem solver by nature, in government Coleman was responsible for critical events including BC’s response to 9 / 11. He is credited with having the most successful affordable housing strategy in Canada, working in partnership with all stakeholders.

Coleman served as an RCMP officer in Alberta shortly after high school and then returned to BC to go into business. His service in his community before his election was vast. Langley is full of projects he volunteered on including the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, over 250 affordable rental housing units for families and seniors. Rich married his wife Michele in 1974. They have two children and eight grandchildren.  Coleman now volunteers with Honour House and indigenous communities.