Friday April 24, 2026 | LANGFORD, BC
Urban development analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Over the past year or more, the City of Langford has been working alongside the community to develop the municipality’s first formal Economic Development Strategy (EDS).
Built by staff and shaped by council along with engagement by residents, businesses, and partners, the EDS is nearly finalized.
Business, investment and resilience:
The draft EDS outlines a clear path forward to support business growth, attract investment, strengthen key sectors, and build a resilient local economy.
The strategy identifies a vision, guiding principles, and a road map to achieve 10 key objectives that will guide economic development over the coming years with the intention of providing a supportive environment for business and investment.
Heading back to Council:
The EDS was presented to Langford council at their April 7, 2026 meeting.
The final phase of public input is through a community survey online at Let’s Chat Langford which is available to end of day April 26, 2026.
The final draft Economic Development Strategy will be presented to Langford Council on May 4.
Steering in a new direction:
Residents who have participated in other Langford surveys will find this one even more in-depth on a broad range of considerations — any one of which could steer Langford in a revised or new direction.
Considering all the possible changes that could be given potential life through the EDS, the economic landscape of the fast-growing city would be reshaped with intention.
Population:
The population of Langford grew to reach about 55,000 a few years ago (about 12% of the Greater Victoria region population).
Most of the planning and strategy development by the current council over the past three-and-a-half years has had in mind an expected population of 100,000 by 2050 but also a change in the age, income levels, education levels and family types compared to years ago.
Survey components:
The various components of the Economic Development Strategy survey present a statement/explanation and then ask how that aligns with the respondent’s view. Additional comments can be provided to each.
If you can make it through the entire survey you will have explored your own thoughts about business and economic growth in Langford while contributing quite a lot to the final analysis that will be presented to Council in May.
1 – Vision and Values – “Langford is a resilient, innovative City recognized for strong partnerships, entrepreneurship, and its ability to turn bold ideas into action, creating a diverse and inclusive economy for generations to come.”
2 – Guiding Principles – Five guiding principles shape the implementation of this vision: entrepreneurism, resilience, inclusion, reconciliation, and collaboration. These core values inform all objectives, strategies, and actions within the Strategy, ensuring that its approach remains pragmatic, actionable, and rooted in community engagement.
2 – Objectives and Goals – Langford has experienced significant growth and is becoming a more diverse, connected, and opportunity-focused community. This Economic Development Strategy is designed to support that growth by strengthening the local economy, creating more local jobs, supporting businesses, and ensuring that growth continues to improve the quality of life. There are 10 Objectives presented in the survye, along with details examples of goals, sample strategies and sample priority actions:
- Proactively Support Existing Businesses
- Build Langford’s Investment Advantage
- Build Langford’s Talent Advantage
- Build a Resilient Economy
- Prioritize Quality of Life as a Core Foundation for Growth
- Create a Vibrant, People-First Downtown and Neighbourhood Villages
- Prioritize Community Wealth Building
- Prioritize Agriculture (Food Security) and Agri-Tech Initiatives
- Lead and Grow Langford’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Economy
===== RELATED:
- Business licence applications up as Langford grows, economic development strategy coming (March 26, 2026)
- Survey to Nov 9: got ideas on Langford’s economic development? (October 17,. 2025)
- Langford population to double by 2050 – public survey to Sept 15 (August 25, 2024)
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