Good morning Langley!
It's a beautiful Thursday ahead with sunny skies and temps reaching 25°C inland, though just 20°C near the water.
No rain in sight, but that UV index is high at 8, so limit your time in the direct sun and don't forget your sunscreen!
Events Happening Today
Walnut Grove Toastmasters Weekly Meeting Public Speaking Training
- Time: 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM
- Location: Walnut Grove Community Centre, 8889 Walnut Grove Drive Langley Township, BC V1M 2N7
- Description: The Toastmasters meeting runs from 7:15pm to approximately 8:45pm and features 2-4 prepared speeches by members followed by evaluations, impromptu "Table Topics" speaking practice, and role reports designed to help participants improve their communication skills.
The evening concludes with a fun quiz competition where members test their observation skills from the meeting, with the winner receiving the honorary title of Quiz Lord or Quiz Queen.
AI, Large Language Models & Applications @ Langley Coworks
- Time: 7:15 PM to 8:45 PM
- Location: Langley CoWorks @ 20627 Fraser Highway, Langley, BC.
- Description: What are Large Language Models (LLMs)? How do they work? What are the main language models out there? How do they compare against each other? What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? Which business tools are out there? How can we se them to make our lives easier? What to expect in the next few years?
Theatre in the Country: Sister Act
- Time: Dinner @ 6:30 PM, Show @ 7:30 PM
- Location: THEATRE IN THE COUNTRY, 5708 Glover Road, Langley City
- Description: Theatre in the Country presents "Sister Act: The Musical," a heartwarming production based on the beloved 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film about disco diva Deloris Van Cartier who transforms a convent choir while in witness protection.
Featuring original songs by Tony and Oscar winner Alan Menken, the show promises powerful gospel music, dynamic choreography, and exceptional local talent under the direction of Lauren Trotzuk.
Local Langley News
Langley City Seeks Community Input on Tree Canopy Protection and Updated Zoning Rules
Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal is asking residents to weigh in on a proposed tree bylaw and updated zoning regulations, learning from the community backlash that derailed similar efforts in 2010.
In his latest blog post, Pachal acknowledges the previous tree bylaw proposal caused panic and led to widespread tree cutting as residents feared bureaucratic obstacles to tree removal.
The mayor emphasizes that this new approach prioritizes community feedback to avoid repeating past mistakes while still achieving the goal of expanding Langley City's tree canopy.
Residents can provide input online through Let's Chat Langley City or attend open houses on June 16 for the tree bylaw discussion and June 25 for the zoning bylaw update, both at City Hall.
Fraser Valley Regional District Launches Annual Mosquito Control Program for Summer Season
The Fraser Valley Regional District has begun its annual floodwater mosquito control program, with technicians from Morrow BioScience Ltd. now monitoring river edges and treating mosquito larvae before they develop into biting adults.
While this year's mosquito forecast is expected to be below average due to low snow accumulation, residents should still prepare for increased mosquito activity in June and July as river levels rise.
The FVRD recommends personal protective measures including long sleeves, light-colored clothing, insect repellent, and eliminating standing water around homes to reduce mosquito breeding sites.
Langley Township Hosts Second Open House for Revised Fraser Highway Industrial Plan
Langley Township residents will get another opportunity to review scaled-back plans for light industrial development along Fraser Highway at a June 16 open house, following significant community pushback earlier this year.
Mayor Eric Woodward successfully moved to reduce the project's scope in March, removing several areas from consideration including the mobile home park and lands east of 232 Street after residents voiced strong opposition to industrial development in their neighborhoods.
The revised Fraser Employment Lands concept plan represents a compromise between the Township's need for industrial tax revenue and community concerns about inappropriate development.
This community-responsive approach demonstrates how sustained public engagement can force municipal governments to reconsider plans that threaten existing residential communities.
Traffic Impact: 272 Street Work Begins This Week
Maintenance work on 272 Street between 28A Avenue and 29 Avenue will result in single lane alternating traffic from June 3rd to July 15th.
Drivers should expect delays during the construction period, which will run Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm.
Traffic control personnel will be on site throughout the maintenance project to direct vehicles.
Commuters are advised to plan alternate routes or allow extra travel time when passing through this area.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Young Parents Honor Community Partners at Archway's Annual Gratitude Tea Party
Six young parents from Archway Community Services' New Beginnings program in Abbotsford came together to express heartfelt gratitude to the community partners who made their high school graduation possible.
The annual Thank You Tea serves as a powerful reminder of how collective community support can transform lives, with the program helping over 1,000 parents complete their education since 1990.
Highlights included the Abbotsford Quilters Guild presenting handmade quilts to graduates' children and awarding a $500 scholarship for one graduate to pursue psychology at UFV.
This celebration showcases the vital role community partnerships play in supporting working families and demonstrates how Archway's collaborative approach creates pathways to success in the Fraser Valley.
B.C. and First Nations Launch Massive Land-Use Planning Project in Northwest
A groundbreaking collaborative initiative between the BC government and First Nations has been launched to develop a comprehensive land-use plan for northwest British Columbia. This expansive project aims to balance resource industry growth with cultural and environmental preservation.
The plan will outline specific opportunities for sustainable development while ensuring protection of the region's unique ecosystems and Indigenous heritage.
This initiative is one of the largest collaborative planning efforts in the province's history.
Wildlife Rescue Association of BC Denied Federal Funding Again
The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC announced today that it has been denied federal funding for the second consecutive year.
This decision places significant strain on the organization's ability to continue its essential work rescuing and rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife.
The association relies heavily on public donations and grants to maintain its operations across British Columbia, making this funding rejection particularly challenging for their ongoing conservation efforts.
Vancouver Council Rejects Motion to Restore Renter Office Despite Housing Crisis
Vancouver city council voted down a motion to restore the Renter Office on Wednesday, leaving thousands of vulnerable tenants without dedicated municipal support during an ongoing housing affordability crisis.
The office, which provided crucial information and assistance to renters about their rights before being defunded by ABC Vancouver in 2023, served as a vital protection against landlord exploitation and unsafe living conditions.
Renter advocacy groups argue that with renovictions common and homeowners dominating municipal decision-making processes, the city is failing its responsibility to protect its most economically vulnerable residents.
This decision reflects how municipal politicians often prioritize property owners over the working families who make up the majority of Vancouver's population, abandoning renters when they need government support most.
National Canadian News
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation Releases Names of Priests Who Worked at Residential Schools
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation has published a comprehensive list identifying priests who worked at residential schools across Canada. This landmark disclosure represents a significant step toward transparency in addressing the country's residential school legacy.
The Centre indicated that additional names will be added as more information becomes available, particularly as priests pass away. This ongoing documentation project aims to provide survivors and their families with more complete information about those who ran these institutions.
Quebec Law That Helps Victims of Intimate Image Sharing Now in Effect
A groundbreaking Quebec law providing new legal tools for victims of non-consensual intimate image sharing has come into effect. This legislation gives individuals the ability to obtain court orders for the removal of intimate images posted online without their consent.
The law represents a significant advancement in protecting privacy rights and addressing digital sexual violence. Victims now have clearer pathways to seek justice and regain control over their personal content in digital spaces.
Open Letter Calls on Regulators to Restart Climate Disclosure Work
An influential coalition of women leaders has issued an open letter urging financial regulators to resume work on climate disclosure requirements for businesses. The initiative aims to revitalize efforts to make companies publicly detail their exposure to climate change risks.
The push comes amid growing concerns about transparency in how businesses are preparing for and potentially contributing to climate challenges. Advocates argue that standardized disclosure practices are essential for informed investment decisions and corporate accountability.
Ontario Labour Movement Rallies Behind First Nations Fighting Ford's Corporate Power Grab
Provincial unions are mobilizing alongside northern First Nations to oppose Ontario's Bill 5, which creates "special economic zones" where developers can bypass environmental and labour protections while trampling Indigenous treaty rights.
The Ontario Federation of Labour and CUPE Ontario representatives describe the legislation as a fundamental power grab that threatens both workers' safety protections and Indigenous sovereignty, with union leaders calling it a "watershed moment" for solidarity between organized labour and First Nations.
Despite the Progressive Conservative majority rushing the bill through the legislature, labour leaders pledge to build "the broadest possible coalition" to resist implementation and potentially overturn the legislation through sustained pressure and legal challenges.
This alliance demonstrates how corporate interests are uniting working people and Indigenous communities against a government that prioritizes developer profits over democratic rights and environmental protection.
Sports News
🏒 Abbotsford Canucks: Danila Klimovich Unlikely Hero in Double OT
Danila Klimovich emerged as the unexpected hero for the Abbotsford Canucks, scoring the game-winning goal with a high backhander 3:21 into double overtime.
This dramatic victory puts the Canucks up 3-1 in the Western Conference final of the AHL playoffs.
What makes Klimovich's contribution even more remarkable is that he had been a healthy scratch for the first three games of the series before delivering this clutch performance.
The Abbotsford team is now just one win away from advancing to the Calder Cup Finals.
🏀 Vancouver Bandits Return Home This Friday
The Vancouver Bandits basketball team will be back in action at home this Friday night, taking on Ottawa at 7PM.
The team is offering affordable tickets starting at just $15 to encourage local fans to come support the squad at their Langley home court.
This matchup represents an important opportunity for the Bandits to build momentum in the early part of their season schedule. The team has been focusing on community engagement and building their local fan base in the Fraser Valley.
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