Good morning, Langley!
I hope everyone's staying cool out there as the temperatures continue to climb from the cooler weather we had over the weekend. Take a moment to be thankful that we're not sweltering in the massive heat wave that is broiling much of the east coast right now.
Council meetings got a bit spicy yesterday with a lawyer going after the Township's utility billing system. It seems that the folks who live in condos have been getting massively overcharged when compared to single-family houses, and the Township committed $100,000 to study the issue.
On a happier note, the Abbotsford Canucks just won their first-ever Calder Cup championship, which is a huge win for Fraser Valley hockey fans!
And if you're looking for weekend plans, the Fort Langley museums are expecting thousands for their Canada Day bash with all the usual butter-making and blacksmithing demos.
Plus there's a Bee Camp happening today at Stable Harvest Farm if you've got kids who need to get out of the house!
Local Langley News
Langley City Advances Housing Density With New Rental and Townhouse Projects
During its meeting last night, Langley City Council moved forward with significant housing developments that will add much-needed density to the community, approving third reading for a 27-unit townhouse complex at 4505-4535 200A Street and final approval for rental units at 20675 Eastleigh Crescent.
The Eastleigh project demonstrates progressive housing policy in action, with the city's one-for-one market rental replacement policy ensuring existing tenants aren't displaced by new development while adding to the overall rental stock.
These approvals represent a step toward addressing the housing crisis through smart urban planning that prioritizes people over parking lots, though the city must continue pushing for even greater density and affordability.
The projects show how municipal governments can facilitate housing construction while protecting existing residents, creating the kind of people-centered development that builds stronger, more sustainable communities.
Township Council Confronts Utility Billing Crisis and Agricultural Struggles at Contentious Monday Meeting
Township of Langley Council faced mounting pressure at Monday's meeting as lawyer Rebecca Darnell exposed how strata residents are being systematically overcharged millions annually through flat utility fees that treat tiny condos the same as sprawling single-family homes with pools and hot tubs.
The inequitable billing system particularly burdens working-class first-time homebuyers and new immigrants crammed into small units, prompting council to approve $100,000 from water capital reserves for an independent study despite concerns about using capital funds for operational expenses.
The Langley Farmers Institute delivered an urgent presentation highlighting the agricultural community's crisis, including wells drying up in February, outdated rural planning from 1993, and the BC Ministry of Agriculture being Canada's most underfunded despite the province's rich farmland.
The most contentious item proved to be the Fort Langley Properties rezoning application, which council approved despite significant opposition from three councilors who raised concerns about parking adequacy, heritage impacts, and legal complications around invalid community amenity contribution policies following a recent Supreme Court decision.
The project increases density from 30 to 47.5 units per acre and changes the residential-to-commercial floor space ratio from 2:1 to 4.5:1 by removing commercial space from upper floors and adding more residential units, all while claiming no exterior changes to heritage buildings.
Legal staff warned that public hearings were prohibited since the project complies with the Official Community Plan, effectively silencing community input on a decade-long contentious development.
Council also unanimously approved community investments including tree planting expansion and Walnut Grove park improvements, showing how municipal governments must balance competing interests while working families face inequitable fee structures and farmers struggle with inadequate support.
Memorial Tournament Honors Langley Man's Legacy While Supporting Mental Health
The Nate D. tournament brought together the community to celebrate the memory of a beloved Langley resident while raising funds for an important cause.
The foundation created in his honor focuses on helping people struggling with substance misuse and mental health challenges, turning personal tragedy into community support.
Court Rejects Double Murderer's Bid for Taxpayer-Funded Legal Challenge
William James McCotter, 62, serving life for brutally killing two Langley City residents with steel-toed boots and a 2X4 in 2001, had his application for state-funded legal counsel rightfully denied by B.C. Supreme Court Justice Christopher Greenwood.
McCotter sought taxpayer money to challenge his detention and pursue release to an Indigenous community facility despite not being First Nations himself, a request no Indigenous facility has been willing to support.
The court found "little merit" in McCotter's charter rights argument, noting he has been denied parole four times due to his high risk of reoffending, lack of remorse (including his callous "they're dead, everybody dies, get over it" comment), and continued inappropriate behavior with female corrections staff.
Fort Langley Museums Gear Up for Massive Canada Day Celebrations
The BC Farm Museum and Fort Langley National Historic Site are expecting 5,000-6,000 visitors for their collaborative Canada Day celebration featuring hands-on activities like butter making, blacksmithing, and farm animal encounters.
The entirely volunteer-run farm museum at 9131 King St. demonstrates the power of grassroots community organizing, with local volunteers coordinating everything from children's woodwork demonstrations to live entertainment by regional acts including the Willoughby Ridge Band and various folk performers.
Both heritage sites offer free admission and showcase the diverse cultural contributions of French-Canadian voyageurs, Indigenous partners, Chinese miners, and Hawaiian workers who built the region's multicultural foundation.
The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and still needs additional volunteers to help with activities - interested community members can contact mul0823@shaw.ca to contribute a few hours to this celebration of collective community effort.
Aldergrove Community Market Returns After Successful Debut Year
The new Aldergrove community market is expected to return following a successful first year that helped fund a local playground.
The market proved that small community initiatives can have big impacts when residents come together.
Local markets remain one of the best ways to support both small businesses and community infrastructure projects.
KPU Fast-Tracks Students Into Brewing and Engineering Careers
Kwantlen Polytechnic University is offering students accelerated pathways into science careers through new fast-track programs in brewing and engineering.
The initiative responds to growing demand for skilled workers in these technical fields while making education more accessible.
Finally, a university program that acknowledges beer-making as the legitimate science it has always been.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
B.C. Celebrates National Indigenous Peoples Day with Call for Action
Surrey and communities across B.C. marked National Indigenous Peoples Day with ceremonies and cultural celebrations on Saturday.
Premier David Eby emphasized that the day serves as "a call to action to stand up against Indigenous-specific racism."
It's encouraging to see political leaders frame this as more than just a symbolic day, though the real test is in concrete policy changes.
Vancouver Folk Music Festival Returns With Global Lineup at Jericho Beach
The Vancouver Folk Music Festival celebrates its 48th year July 18-20 at Jericho Beach Park, featuring over 30 daytime performances and evening main stage concerts with international acts like The Zawose Queens from Tanzania alongside Canadian artists.
The diverse lineup spans from Congolese collective Les Mamans du Congo to Indigenous cellist Cris Derksen and indie folk duos including LA's The Milk Carton Kids and Victoria's Ocie Elliott.
The weekend includes artist workshops, family activities, artisan markets, and concludes with the traditional sunset sing-along.
National Canadian News
Toronto Fights Ontario Over Green Building Standards Authority
A jurisdictional battle is brewing between Toronto and the Province of Ontario over the city's Green Building Standard, which mandates eco-friendly features like flood and heat mitigation in new construction.
Ontario claims the city no longer has authority to enforce these environmental requirements, while Toronto maintains it has the right to set higher standards for climate resilience.
This fight perfectly encapsulates the tension between progressive municipal climate action and conservative provincial governments more interested in deregulation than adaptation.
Prime Minister Carney Calls for Middle East De-escalation After Iran Strikes
Following U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Prime Minister Mark Carney has urged all parties to "return immediately to the negotiating table."
Carney's statement calls for de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East as tensions continue to rise following the unprecedented military action.
Canada finds itself in the familiar position of trying to be the diplomatic voice of reason while its allies engage in increasingly aggressive military posturing.
Opinion: Carney Abandons Climate Leadership to Appease Trump and Big Oil
Prime Minister Mark Carney has betrayed his environmental credentials by prioritizing fossil fuel infrastructure over climate action, despite being elected on a platform different from Conservative oil industry advocates.
The former UN Special Envoy on Climate Action is now calling fossil fuel development "pragmatic" while Canada faces severe wildfire-driven air quality crises and warming temperatures twice the global average.
Carney's capitulation to American oil interests and Trump's annexation threats represents a massive missed opportunity for Canadian economic leadership through clean technology innovation, which research shows drives higher GDP growth and reduces vulnerability to economic shocks.
Instead of building on Canada's existing strengths in eco-industrial parks and circular economy solutions, Carney is funneling resources toward pipelines that primarily benefit wealthy American fossil fuel executives while abandoning the Net-Zero Banking Alliance he once championed.
This strategic failure leaves Canada trapped in an outdated, polluting industry when it could be following California's example of clean innovation leadership, diversifying trade relationships, and reducing dependence on American economic control while addressing the climate crisis that threatens Canadian communities.
Sports News
🏒 Abbotsford Canucks Capture Historic First Calder Cup Championship for Fraser Valley
The Abbotsford Canucks made history by winning their first-ever Calder Cup championship with a 3-2 victory over the Charlotte Checkers in Game 6 of the finals, becoming the first Vancouver Canucks affiliate to capture the AHL title.
Led by offensive stars Linus Karlsson (26 playoff points) and Arshdeep Bains (24 points), along with stellar goaltending from Artūrs Šilovs who posted a 2.01 goals-against average with five shutouts, the team dominated at home with a league-best 10-3 playoff record at Abbotsford Centre.
The championship represents a triumph for Fraser Valley hockey fans who created what ownership called "a Field of Green" and turned the Abbotsford Centre into one of the most intimidating venues in the AHL.
The victory validates the decision to move the Canucks' development affiliate to Abbotsford, strengthening the connection between Vancouver and the Fraser Valley while providing local fans with their first major professional sports championship.
The team's incredible two-month playoff run showcased the depth and resilience of players fighting for their NHL dreams, culminating in a historic moment that has "captivated the hockey community and Canucks fans everywhere."
🥍 Langley Thunder Secure Final Playoff Spot with Victory Over Burrards
The Langley Thunder edged out the Burrards in a crucial Western Lacrosse Association matchup, securing the fourth and final playoff spot.
The victory keeps the Thunder's championship hopes alive as they head into the postseason.
Lacrosse may not get the attention it deserves nationally, but playoff races like this show why it remains such a compelling sport.
🏀Vancouver Bandits Suffer Rare Back-to-Back Losses in Calgary
The Vancouver Bandits fell to defeat in Calgary, marking the first time this year the team has lost consecutive games.
The rare losing streak represents a significant shift for a team that has dominated much of the season.
Even the best teams hit rough patches, but how they bounce back will define their championship aspirations.
Events Happening Today
Bee Camp: Buzz & Learn (Free for All Ages 8+)
- Time: 10:30 AM
- Location: Stable Harvest Farm, Stable Harvest Farm, 5848 216 Street, Langley, Canada
- Description: Does your child love nature and all things pollinators? Come join us for a fun and educational bee camp at Stable Harvest Farm! Guided by bee expert Kristen Penhall, kids aged 8+ will dive into the incredible world of bees and discover why these tiny pollinators are so vital to our environment.
- At Bee Camp, participants will:
• Create pollinator-themed crafts to take home
• Take part in citizen science activites
• Enjoy tasting delicious honeys
• Learn simple ways to protect bees and their habitats - Please note, this is a weekly event that will happen every Tuesday throughout the summer
Langley City - Zoning Bylaw Open House
- Time: 4:00 - 7:00 pm
- Location: Langley City Hall, 2nd floor
- Description: We’re developing a new Zoning Bylaw. Learn what’s changing, how it supports our growing and evolving community, and how you can provide your input.
- What the new zoning bylaw will do:
- Bring the City’s long-term land use and growth plans to life
- Update rules to support what matters today, like more affordable housing, economic development, and sustainability.
- Give homeowners and businesses more options and flexibility
- Make the bylaw easier to read and understand by reducing the number of zones from 100+ to less than 20
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