Langley MLAs Join Conservative Shadow Cabinet Amid Controversy
Two Langley MLAs join BC's shadow cabinet, sparking debate over dual roles, past controversies, and their ability to represent the community.
Reader Context: What is a shadow cabinet?
A shadow cabinet is composed of members of the main opposition political party who monitor and challenge the government's actions. Each member corresponds to a specific government minister, providing alternative perspectives to hold the government accountable.
Shadow Cabinet Includes Langley MLAs
As the newly sworn in provincial government begins to take shape, two of Langley’s three newly elected Conservative MLAs have been appointed to the party's shadow cabinet, tasked with holding the NDP government accountable on key issues affecting local families and workers.
John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, unveiled his shadow cabinet, describing it as a "dynamic team of talented individuals ready to hold David Eby's disastrous government accountable and present a strong alternative vision for British Columbia."
Langley-Abbotsford's Harman Bhangu, who brings 15 years of experience in the heavy-load trucking industry, will serve as the shadow minister for transportation.
Meanwhile, Misty Van Popta, representing Langley-Walnut Grove, has been appointed shadow minister for infrastructure and construction, leveraging her background as a project manager in the construction industry.
However, the appointments have not been without controversy.
Controversy Surrounds Van Popta's "Double Dipping"
Van Popta's decision to retain her position on the Township council while serving as an MLA has sparked debate about potential conflicts of interest and the ability to fully commit to both roles.
Community members have loudly criticized Van Popta's presence on both the Township council as well as the provincial government as "double-dipping," with some arguing that holding dual offices could compromise an MLA's ability to focus entirely on provincial issues affecting Langley residents.
The newly added responsibilities of a shadow cabinet position will not do much to alleviate concerns about Van Popta's ability to give full attention to her position on the Township council.
Van Popta has spoken defensively about her decision, stating, "I take my oath with the Township of Langley very seriously."
Langley Monitor
Bhangu Dogged by History of Bigotry, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Bhangu has faced criticism for past social media posts expressing controversial views on various topics, including conspiracy theories and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
During the recent campaign, Jas Johal, a radio host and former B.C. Liberal MLA, shared a 199-page document that was compiled by the now defunct party as opposition research into Conservative candidates.
The document detailed social media posts in which Bhangu falsely stated "Antifa broke into the capital on Jan 6 too...If you read the report you would know antifa dressed as Trump supporters and broke in."
It also highlighted a social media post from Bhangu that supported a tweet criticizing the Vancouver Canucks for wearing LGBTQ+ Pride jerseys. The original tweet suggested that the Pride movement is defined by "violent antisocial trans extremists", and Bhangu responded by saying "Exactly. There is nothing to be proud of."
Additionally highlighted in the document, Bhangu said that his children are enrolled in private school to avoid "indoctrination" regarding "sexual things".
It's unclear exactly which "sexual things" Mr. Bhangu wanted to protect his children from, but one might it is the often maligned Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity framework, which is part of the province's ERASE program (Expect Respect & A Safe Education).
These revelations have raised concerns among some Langley residents about his capacity to represent the interests of Langley residents whose identities do not conform with heteronormative standards.
MLA Bhangu pulled his children out of public schools to allegedly "protect" them from the "indoctrination" of "sexual things" - most likely a reference to the province's ERASE program, which seeks to promote safe, caring, and inclusive schools.
Jody Toor Left Out
The third Langley MLA, Jody Toor of Langley-Willowbrook, was not given a position on the shadow cabinet.
It's possible that the decision to leave Ms. Toor off of the shadow cabinet was influenced by her alleged history of introducing herself as a medical doctor, while not having a medical license.
The concern about Ms. Toor's misrepresentation of her qualifications went all the way up to Adrian Dix, the provincial health minister at the time. "She is not an MD, she is not a health professional, she is not a naturopath," said Dix.
Ms. Toor's degrees are from Quantum University, which is not an accredited medical school, is an online school based in Hawaii. The online school's exams are all multiple choice or true-false and are not timed.
What Comes Next
The coming months will be critical in determining whether these Conservative representatives can actually deliver on their campaign promises to advocate for the needs of working families in Langley and across British Columbia.
As Langley navigates this new political reality, residents will be watching closely to see how their newly elected MLAs perform in their roles.
See Also
Matthew Claxton
Matthew Claxton