Good morning, Langley - there's a lot happening in our community today!
Township Council meets at 1:30 PM to discuss important local issues, and if you can't make it in person, you can watch the live stream online.
Don't forget that the Township's parking strategy survey closes July 7 – this is your chance to shape how we handle parking in our rapidly growing community, so make sure your voice is heard on policies that could prioritize people over cars.
Meanwhile, Fort Langley is adjusting to new parking realities as Parks Canada starts charging non-visitors at the Historic Site, reflecting the true cost of parking infrastructure.
Across the region, seniors are discovering new freedom through e-bikes, proving that sustainable transportation knows no age limits. And while politicians continue to debate BC Ferries' shipbuilding decisions, the real question remains: who's willing to pay for Canadian-built vessels when the price tag jumps by over a billion dollars?
From local infrastructure improvements on 88 Avenue to national debates about Arctic ice preservation, today's news shows how transportation, community planning, and environmental challenges intersect right here in our backyard.
Local Langley News
Langley Township Seeks Input on 88 Avenue-Glover Road Multi-Use Pathway Project
The Township of Langley is investing in crucial infrastructure that will transform 88 Avenue into a people-first corridor with protected bike lanes and accessible walking paths from Wright Street to Glover Road.
This project addresses the dangerous gap in our active transportation network by providing safe, comfortable routes for families walking to Fort Langley Elementary School and connecting the Fort Langley and Walnut Grove communities.
The multi-use pathway design includes proper lighting, accessible bus stops, and stormwater management while accommodating necessary truck movements through improved intersection design.
Residents have until June 30 to complete the survey and advocate for this kind of infrastructure that prioritizes people over cars – make sure your voice supports building communities where walking and cycling are safe, accessible options for everyone.
Reminder: Langley Township Parking Survey Closes July 7: Your Voice Needed
Langley Township is conducting a comprehensive parking strategy study that could reshape how we approach parking in our rapidly growing community, and residents have until July 7 to weigh in through the online survey.
This is a critical opportunity to advocate for parking policies that prioritize people over cars by supporting reduced minimum parking requirements, which will make housing more affordable and encourage walking, cycling, and transit use.
The study will address everything from on-street parking management to electric vehicle charging and bicycle parking facilities, helping create neighborhoods where car ownership is a choice rather than a necessity.
Complete the survey by July 7 and push for parking policies that support vibrant, walkable communities instead of subsidizing car dependency at the expense of affordable housing and sustainable transportation options.
Fort Langley Historic Site Ends Free Parking for Non-Visitors
Parks Canada has implemented a new parking policy at the Fort Langley National Historic Site, requiring non-visitors to pay for parking while maintaining four hours of free parking for those actually visiting the historic site.
This change represents a small but important step toward addressing the hidden costs of "free" parking, which research shows can cost tens of thousands of dollars per space to build and maintain while encouraging excessive car dependency.
The move comes as Fort Langley grapples with parking pressures common to walkable downtowns, where the historic development pattern predates modern parking mandates that force businesses to subsidize car storage.
While the change may inconvenience some who have been using the lot as free storage for trips elsewhere in the village, it reflects the reality that parking is never truly free and someone always pays the cost.
Langley Township Council Meets Today at 1:30 PM
The Township of Langley holds its regular council meeting today (Monday, June 23) at 1:30 PM, with options to attend in person or watch online.
Residents can submit written comments via email to legservicesinfo@tol.ca or pre-register to speak during public hearings.
Video Live Stream (starting 1:30pm)
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Vancouver Seniors Discover Freedom and Community on Electric Bikes
E-bikes are revolutionizing mobility for Vancouver seniors, helping them reclaim independence as they age while tackling the city's challenging hills and staying connected to their communities.
From participating in HUB Cycling's beginner classes to using cargo bikes to transport grandchildren, seniors are finding that electric assistance extends their cycling years by an estimated 10 to 15 years while providing crucial social connections in a demographic where nearly one in five experience loneliness.
While barriers like cost (averaging $2,000) and safety concerns remain, Vancouver's "all ages and abilities" cycling infrastructure and programs like Cycling Without Age are proving that sustainable transportation isn't just for the young.
The trend reflects a broader shift toward more accessible, people-centered mobility that reduces both carbon emissions and social isolation.
Opinion: Politicians Demand Canadian-Built BC Ferries But Won't Pay the Bill
Paul Willcocks argues that the criticism of BC Ferries' decision to build four new ships in China is pure political posturing, given that no Canadian shipyards even bid on the project and building elsewhere would cost an additional $1.2 billion.
While politicians from all parties express outrage about the Chinese contract, none are willing to explain who should pay the massive cost difference, especially when ferry fares have already risen from an inflation-adjusted $29 to $105 for the Victoria-Vancouver route.
The federal government's hypocrisy is particularly glaring, as Ottawa recently celebrated a new Atlantic ferry built in the same Chinese shipyard while providing only 3% of BC Ferries' funding, hardly enough to justify Chrystia Freeland's lecturing about security concerns.
National Canadian News
Arctic Ice Experiment Aims to Preserve Inuit Traditions
A groundbreaking geoengineering project in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut is exploring whether Arctic sea ice can be artificially preserved through innovative technology.
As climate change threatens traditional Inuit hunting and cultural practices, researchers are testing whether human intervention can help maintain the ice that Indigenous communities have depended on for millennia.
The "Real Ice" project represents a fascinating intersection of cutting-edge science and Indigenous knowledge, though questions remain about the long-term viability and ethics of such interventions.
Prime Minister Carney Heads to Europe for Security Talks
Prime Minister Mark Carney departed for Europe Sunday for back-to-back summits with EU and NATO leaders, where he's expected to make significant commitments on Canada's security and defence spending.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Defence Minister David McGuinty, and other key officials are accompanying Carney for the high-stakes meetings.
The trip comes as Canada faces pressure to increase its defence spending and clarify its role in international security arrangements amid global tensions.
Sports News
🏒 Abbotsford Canucks Fall in Overtime, Series Returns to Charlotte
Jesse Puljujärvi banked one in off an Abbotsford defender at 15:22 of overtime, giving Charlotte a 4-3 victory in Game 5 of the Calder Cup final.
The heartbreaking loss sends the series back to North Carolina for Game 6, denying Abbotsford fans the chance to see their team clinch the championship at home.
The Canucks will need to regroup quickly as they face elimination in hostile territory, though they've shown resilience throughout these playoffs.
🏃♂️ Kelowna Man Smashes Grouse Grind Challenge Record
Sean Green made an incredible 21 ascents of the Grouse Grind on Friday, surpassing the previous record by two full climbs.
The grueling challenge saw competitors attempt multiple trips up Vancouver's infamous "Mother Nature's Stairmaster" in a single day.
A Burnaby competitor claimed victory in the women's division, proving that the appetite for punishment knows no gender boundaries.
⚽ Canada Settles for Draw Against Curaçao at Gold Cup
Substitute Jeremy Antonisse scored in the 94th minute to lift Curaçao to a 1-1 draw with Canada in Group B play at the CONCACAF Gold Cup in Houston.
The late equalizer denied Canada what would have been a crucial three points in their quest to advance from the group stage.
Canada will need to bounce back quickly from this disappointing result if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament.
Events Happening Today
Langley Township Council Meeting
- Time: 1:30 pm
- Location: Fraser River Presentation Theatre, 20338 - 65 Avenue, Langley, BC
- Description: Meeting, details, agenda and minutes
Review Meeting Agenda
Video Live Stream (starting 1:30pm)
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