Happy Friday, y'all!
From the Township seeking public input on transportation strategies that could reshape our neighborhoods with safer streets and better mobility options, to the extended KPU garden sale and upcoming Langley Craft Beverage Week, our community continues to blend small-town connection with forward-thinking development.
Outside of Langley, we're tracking significant regional and national stories while celebrating local athletes making waves on bigger stages.
Local Langley News
Township Seeks Community Input for Safer, More People-Focused Streets
The Township of Langley has launched a community survey for its Transportation and Mobility Strategy, seeking resident feedback on proposed plans to enhance connectivity and safety across the community.
The survey builds on previous public engagement that helped shape a vision for the future transportation system, along with goals, targets, and specific strategies to guide improvements.
Residents now have an opportunity to review and comment on preliminary network maps and recommendations aimed at creating a more connected township.
The feedback will help ensure the final strategy reflects community priorities for making streets safer for all users, potentially including better cycling infrastructure, enhanced transit options, and people-centered design that supports healthier, more sustainable mobility choices as the Township continues to grow.
KPU Garden Sale Extended to May 9
Good news for local gardeners and plant enthusiasts!
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has announced an extension of their popular annual garden sale until Friday, May 9. This gives community members additional opportunities to purchase quality plants grown by horticulture students.
The extension comes in response to high demand and offers a chance for those who missed the initial sale dates to participate in this beloved community tradition.
Langley Craft Beverage Week Returns May 9-18: Regional Brewers Unite for 10-Day Festival
Langley Craft Beverage Week returns May 9-18, uniting 12 independent producers for a 10-day celebration of the region's thriving craft drink scene.
The festivities begin with the release of "Lean on Me," a collaborative hazy double IPA at Locality Brewing, before flowing into a diverse lineup of events including a cider-filled Mother's Day, beer-comedy night, tropical dinner pairings, and cocktail-infused "high tea" at local farms and taprooms.
With the massive Brewhalla Festival featuring 30+ drink makers as the centerpiece event, this grassroots festival showcases the best of Langley's craft beverage community in an accessible, community-focused atmosphere.
Fire Destroys Barn on Springbrook Road
A devastating blaze has completely engulfed a barn on Langley's Springbrook Road, drawing a significant emergency response from local firefighters. The incident caused notable traffic slowdowns in the area as fire crews worked diligently to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading to nearby structures.
Traffic was rerouted while firefighters tackled the blaze, with multiple engines on scene to provide adequate water supply for the rural location.
Craft Your First Brew: KPU Launches Small Batch Brewing Basics Workshop
KPU's award-winning Brewing program is offering a new two-day introductory workshop designed for absolute beginners interested in learning the fundamentals of beer production.
The "Small Batch Brewing Basics" course provides hands-on experience in KPU's teaching brewery, where participants will complete an actual brewing process under the guidance of expert instructors Dominic Bernard and Michael Miller.
This beginner-friendly workshop runs May 30-31, 2025, costs $395+GST, and includes a completion certificate—making it an accessible entry point for curious homebrewers and craft beer enthusiasts alike.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Thirteen People Still Hospitalized After Vancouver Festival Attack
Five days after the tragic Lapu Lapu festival attack in Vancouver, thirteen people remain hospitalized with serious injuries. Among those still receiving care, four individuals remain in critical condition while two others are now listed in serious condition.
The community continues to rally around the victims and their families in the aftermath of this shocking incident that has deeply affected the Filipino community and the city as a whole.
BC's Energy Watchdog Gets Expanded Powers Amid Enforcement Concerns
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER), originally established to facilitate oil and gas development in British Columbia, is gaining expanded authority to oversee renewable energy projects and major infrastructure like the $3-billion North Coast transmission line.
This Crown corporation, which answers to the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, has already been granted sweeping powers to make critical environmental decisions that supersede other ministries—including permitting the clearing of archaeological sites and old-growth forests for fossil fuel projects.
However, recent investigations have raised serious questions about the regulator's enforcement practices, revealing that in at least 1,000 instances, inspectors documented apparent environmental infractions without penalizing companies for breaking rules.
With just 17 inspectors overseeing all fracking and LNG development activities across the province, critics suggest the energy regulator has become "captured" by the very industry it's meant to regulate.
Teen Donates $266,000 to Lapu Lapu Festival Victims
In an extraordinary display of compassion, a teenager who lost his family in the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Festival tragedy has donated $266,000 to support other victims. Andy Le, who is dealing with his own immense grief, has chosen to help others affected by the same devastating incident.
This remarkable act of generosity comes at a time when the community is still processing the trauma of the attack, demonstrating how compassion can emerge even in the darkest of circumstances.
Climate Goals Falling Short in British Columbia
The BC government has finally admitted it will not meet its ambitious climate targets for 2025 and 2030, walking back last year's optimistic forecasts.
This revelation comes amid mounting evidence that current policies are insufficient to achieve the province's greenhouse gas reduction commitments.
Environmental advocates express concern that this backtracking signals a weakening commitment to climate action, especially as the province continues to approve new fossil fuel developments.
The admission highlights the growing gap between climate rhetoric and actual policy implementation in a province once considered a leader in environmental protection.
National Canadian News
Conservative Leader's Housing Crisis: Poilievre Loses Right to Live at Stornoway Mansion
Following his dual defeat in the recent election—losing both his parliamentary seat and the party's bid for government—Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre now faces eviction from Stornoway mansion.
Without a seat in Parliament, he's lost the right to the official Opposition Leader's residence—no MP status, no taxpayer-funded housing.
According to the Privy Council Office, the 9,500-square-foot mansion in Ottawa's Rockcliffe neighborhood is exclusively designated for "the person holding the recognized position of Leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons"—a role that requires a parliamentary seat.
Despite Poilievre's apparent maneuvering to retain his party leadership position, his final day as official Opposition Leader was April 28, 2025, raising questions about when he'll vacate the historic property that has housed future prime ministers like John Diefenbaker, Lester Pearson and Brian Mulroney.
First Nations Leaders Assert Treaty Rights in Face of Alberta's Separatist Rhetoric
Following Premier Danielle Smith's introduction of Bill 54, which would lower the threshold for citizen-led referendums in Alberta, First Nations leaders are firmly pushing back against any separatist implications.
Indigenous representatives, including Alberta NDP MLA Brooks Arcand-Paul, have emphasized that their treaties were signed with the Crown—not the province—and predate Alberta's 1905 formation.
Chiefs from Sturgeon Lake and Mikisew Cree First Nations have sent direct letters to both Premier Smith and Prime Minister Carney, stating unequivocally that "the province has no authority to supersede or interfere with our Treaties."
While Smith maintains she believes in "Alberta sovereignty within a united Canada," legal experts point out that any separation attempt would face insurmountable hurdles, as First Nations consent would be required under both constitutional and international law.
The NDP Can Still Wield Influence Despite Heavy Losses
Although reduced to just seven seats from 25, the federal NDP still holds significant leverage in the new Parliament with its ability to support or oppose the minority Liberal government.
This diminished yet crucial position gives the party an opportunity to return to its progressive roots and push for meaningful policy changes that matter to everyday Canadians.
Party strategists suggest the NDP could use this leverage to advance key priorities like wealth taxes, strengthening public healthcare, and pushing for proportional representation.
With the Liberal minority needing support to govern, the NDP can still play a pivotal role in shaping national policy despite its reduced numbers.
Sports News
🤼♂️ BC Wrestling Sisters to Represent Canada at Pan-Am Championships
Surrey wrestling siblings Ana and Karla Godinez Gonzales have been selected to represent Team Canada at the upcoming Pan-American Championships in Mexico. The talented sisters, both alumni of Enver Creek Secondary's wrestling program, will compete against the continent's top wrestlers in this prestigious international tournament.
Their selection continues a tradition of excellence for the Godinez Gonzales family, who have established themselves as premier talents in Canadian wrestling. This opportunity showcases the strength of British Columbia's wrestling development programs on the international stage.
🏒 Mission's Pride: Gage Goncalves Scores First NHL Playoff Goal as Lightning Exit Postseason
Mission, BC native Gage Goncalves achieved a significant career milestone by scoring his first NHL playoff goal in Wednesday's elimination game against the Florida Panthers.
The hometown talent opened the scoring for the Tampa Bay Lightning in game five of their first-round series, though the defending Stanley Cup champions ultimately prevailed 6-3 to win the series 4-1.
Despite the disappointment of Tampa Bay's playoff exit, the 22-year-old forward from the Fraser Valley impressed in his postseason debut, finishing tied for second in team playoff scoring with four points while averaging 17 minutes of ice time.
🥌 BC Championship Wheelchair Curling Team Evens Record at Nationals
The British Columbia wheelchair curling champions have bounced back at the Canadian finals, recording two impressive 8-4 victories to improve their tournament record to 2-1. The provincial team, featuring Spallumcheen's Ina Forrest along with teammates from Delta, Cloverdale, and Kelowna, is being expertly coached by Vernon's Sharon Morrison.
These vital wins put the BC rink back into contention for the national title after an early tournament setback. Their tactical precision and teamwork were on full display during both victories, showcasing the high level of wheelchair curling talent in the province.
🏒 Abbotsford Canucks Prepare for Playoff Battle with Firebirds
The Abbotsford Canucks begin their Pacific Division semifinal tonight in California against the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken.
This matchup adds another chapter to the growing cross-border rivalry between Vancouver and Seattle hockey organizations. As these young prospects battle in the AHL playoffs, many could eventually face each other at the NHL level when the Canucks and Kraken renew their Pacific Northwest rivalry.
The series represents not only a crucial step in Abbotsford's championship pursuit, but also a preview of future NHL matchups as these developing players potentially advance to their parent clubs.
Hockey analysts expect a tight, competitive series between these well-matched teams, with special attention on the Canucks' defensive strategy against the Firebirds' high-powered offense.
The series outcome could hinge on goaltending performance and special teams execution in crucial moments.
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