Happy Canada Day, friends!
Canada Day 2025 is shaping up to be a busy one across Langley, with celebrations returning to full swing after years of pandemic disruptions.
Whether you're heading to McLeod Athletic Park for the Township's drone light show tonight or checking out the heritage train station festivities in Fort Langley, there's plenty happening to mark the country's 158th birthday.
The BC Farm Museum is also hosting family activities with everything from petting zoos to blacksmith demonstrations, proving that sometimes the best celebrations combine history with good old-fashioned fun.
Beyond the festivities, Langley residents are dealing with some serious community business.
The Township is seeking public input on housing amendments that could bring 42 new townhouses to Willoughby, with the public hearing deadline fast approaching on July 7.
Meanwhile, 40 Avenue repairs are finally underway after legitimate collapse concerns, and a devastating barn fire over the weekend killed thousands of chickens, reminding us that rural life comes with its own unique challenges alongside the celebrations.
Also, if you're going to be outside today, please make sure to drink plenty of water and wear lots of sunscreen!
Local Langley News
Canada Day Celebrations Return to McLeod Athletic Park
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The Township of Langley is throwing a proper Canada Day bash at McLeod Athletic Park with free family-friendly fun that won't break the bank (because everything else does these days).
The highlight promises to be an evening drone light show at 10:15 PM presented by Lark Group – because apparently even our fireworks are going high-tech now.
It's a welcome return to normal celebrations after years of pandemic disruptions, giving families a chance to celebrate the country's 158th birthday in style.
Mayor Pachal Models Community-Centered Leadership: Biking, Local Business, and Reclaiming Our Shared History
The mayor's simple act of biking to McBurney Plaza for coffee (as described in his blog post yesterday) demonstrates the kind of accessible, people-centered leadership that builds stronger communities while supporting the thriving network of independent coffee shops that make downtown Langley City a vibrant place to live and work.
His conversation with a local barista about the area's history reveals how everyday interactions can spark community education and connection, showing that our shared past lives not in dusty archives but in the stories we tell each other on street corners and in coffee shops.
The new James Douglas plaques represent more than historical markers; they're tools for fostering the kind of civic engagement and community pride that comes from understanding our place in a larger story of struggle, resilience, and the ongoing work of building more inclusive public spaces.
40 Avenue Repairs Underway After Collapse Fears
Work is finally underway to repair the section of 40 Avenue between 212 and 216 Streets that was closed due to legitimate fears of collapse.
The road closure has been a headache for commuters, but better a traffic inconvenience than a sinkhole swallowing your morning coffee run.
Local officials are working to restore this crucial thoroughfare as quickly as possible while ensuring proper safety standards.
Township Proposes Key Housing Amendments: Residents Have Until July 7 to Shape Community Development
The Township of Langley is seeking public input on two significant plan amendments, including a proposal to rezone land for 42 townhouses in Willoughby that could provide much-needed missing middle housing for working families currently priced out of the market.
Residents can examine the full details of both proposals at the Community Development Division or online at www.tol.ca/hearing through July 7, with the public hearing scheduled for that evening at 7pm in the Fraser River Presentation Theatre.
This is a critical moment for community members to engage in the democratic process by registering to speak at www.tol.ca/speakers or submitting written feedback to legservicesinfo@tol.ca, ensuring these development decisions reflect the housing needs of ordinary residents rather than just the interests of existing property owners who benefit from artificial scarcity.
Key Participation Information: The public hearing on July 7 at 7pm represents residents' primary opportunity to influence these proposals. Those unable to attend can watch online at www.tol.ca/councilstream, submit written comments by mail to 20338 – 65 Avenue, or email legservicesinfo@tol.ca.
Remember that Mayor and Council cannot receive input after the hearing concludes, making this a now-or-never moment for community voice in shaping Langley's housing future.
Fort Langley's Heritage Train Station Buzzes with Canada Day Activity
The newly spruced-up heritage train station in Fort Langley is becoming a hub of activity for Canada Day, showcasing the community's commitment to preserving its railway history.
The Langley Heritage Society oversees this circa-1915 site, which has been lovingly restored to serve as both a historical landmark and community gathering space.
It's refreshing to see heritage preservation done right, especially when so many historic buildings fall victim to the wrecking ball in the name of "progress."
BC Cancer Brings Educational Services to Langley
BC Cancer is taking its educational outreach directly to Langley residents with three local events designed to inform the community about cancer care services.
The agency that oversees cancer care throughout the province is making a concerted effort to ensure people understand what resources are available to them.
Given that one in two Canadians will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, this kind of proactive education is both necessary and commendable.
Barn Fire Kills Thousands of Chickens in Township
A devastating barn fire in the Township of Langley on Sunday has killed an estimated 27,000 chickens after destroying two large agricultural buildings.
Deputy Fire Chief Cory Parker says crews arrived around 2 AM to find the fire already well-established, making rescue efforts impossible for the trapped birds.
It's a tragic reminder of how quickly agricultural disasters can unfold, representing not just economic loss but the death of thousands of animals.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Fraser Valley Communities Unite for Canada Day: Celebrating Shared Spaces and Collective Joy
Communities across the Fraser Valley are coming together today for Canada Day celebrations that highlight the power of shared public spaces, from pancake breakfasts to free skating rinks that bring neighbors together regardless of economic status.
The festivities showcase how accessible community infrastructure like leisure centers, museums, and parks serve as vital gathering places that strengthen social bonds and democratic participation.
While fireworks and food trucks provide the spectacle, the real celebration lies in these moments of collective joy that remind us of our capacity for solidarity and mutual support in building stronger, more connected communities.
Record Baby Boom Hits Abbotsford in 2024
Abbotsford welcomed a record number of babies in 2024, with Oliver and Olivia topping the list of most popular names for the little ones.
The baby boom represents a bright spot amid ongoing concerns about declining birth rates across much of Canada.
It seems some people are still optimistic enough about the future to bring new humans into this world – and that's genuinely heartening news.
Slide Risk Assessment Coming to Chilliwack River Valley
A new Fraser Valley Regional District study will assess geohazards like slides and slumps in the Chilliwack River Valley, particularly the types that led to six property owners being denied disaster funding.
The assessment comes after property owners found themselves caught in bureaucratic limbo when their damage was classified as "slumps" rather than eligible slide damage.
It's a classic case of government agencies splitting hairs over terminology while real people deal with real property damage and financial hardship.
Pattullo Bridge Night Closures No Longer Needed
Surrey drivers can breathe a sigh of relief as overnight closures of the Pattullo Bridge from the Surrey side are no longer necessary.
The bridge will remain open for overnight traffic into New Westminster, eliminating a major inconvenience for shift workers and late-night commuters.
It's a small victory for anyone who's had to navigate the alternative routes during construction – though let's be honest, the new bridge can't come soon enough.
National Canadian News
Indigenous Repatriation Gets Roadmap from BC Reports
A pair of comprehensive reports from British Columbia are providing a crucial "road map" for the complex, expensive, and chronically under-resourced process of repatriating Indigenous historical items and remains.
The reports detail the institutional barriers and funding gaps that have kept countless sacred objects and ancestral remains locked away in museums and institutions for decades.
This work represents a long-overdue reckoning with colonial practices, though the reports make clear that meaningful repatriation will require sustained commitment and significant resources that have been lacking.
Culture Minister: "No One Way to Be Canadian"
Federal Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault is embracing Canada's diversity on the country's 158th birthday, declaring definitively that "there's no one way to be a Canadian."
Guilbeault took on his new identity and culture portfolio just as the country was grappling with difficult conversations about its colonial past and multicultural present.
His message feels particularly relevant as Canada continues to wrestle with what it means to be Canadian in an era where Indigenous rights, climate action, and social justice have moved from the margins to the center of national discourse.
Sports News
🏒 Abbotsford Centre to Host NHL Preseason Game
The Vancouver Canucks will face off against the Calgary Flames at Abbotsford Centre in September, bringing NHL action to the Fraser Valley.
The preseason matchup represents a homecoming of sorts for the Canucks organization, which has strong ties to Abbotsford through their AHL affiliate.
Meanwhile, the Canucks have announced several signings ahead of free agency, keeping busy both on and off the ice as they prepare for the new season.
Events Happening Today
Township of Langley Canada Day Event
- Time: 2:00 - 10:00 PM, with a drone light show at 10:15 PM
- Location: McLeod Athletic Park, 5687 216 St, Langley Township, BC V2Y 2N5
- Description: Featuring live entertainment, bouncy castles, games, activities, food trucks and more. Plus a drone light show, presented by Lark Group at 10:15pm!
Canada Day Celebration
- Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- Location: BC Farm Museum, 9131 King Street, Langley Township, BC
- Description: Family Fun activities to Celebrate Canada Day at the BC Farm Museum and Community Heritage organizations in Fort Langley! Farm Museum Opening Ceremony and flag raising by the front door at 10 am. (9131 King Street) .
Fun activites within the museum while entertainment happens in the parking spaces out by the street! Aldor Acres petting Zoo; Click and Clown – balloon twisting; scavenger hunt with 2 small prizes inside the Museum; Community passport stamps for prize basket; tattoos, stickers, pins; butter making demo; rope making needs you to help; the blacksmith will send a little “something” home with you; children get to try wood working with vintage tools; pump some water or ride a “horse”.
Cupcakes will be served while they last. Musical entertainment on the street from 10:30 to 3:00! The Lions Club booth will sell hotdogs, burgers, and COOL drinks. A Celebration to enjoy with the family!
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