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Good morning, Langley!
With partly cloudy skies and a comfortable high of 20°C in Langley today, it's a perfect Monday to catch up on what's happening in our community.
Today's roundup brings you exciting news about Fort Langley's upcoming International Ukulele Festival, the inspiring 45th anniversary Terry Fox Run that brought our community together, and a record-breaking pickleball fundraiser that shows how sports can serve our schools.
We've also got updates on regional incidents that remind us to stay vigilant, plus major housing news from Ottawa that notably excludes British Columbia despite our affordability crisis.
Local Langley News
Fort Langley to Host First-Ever International Ukulele Festival
Fort Langley is about to get a whole lot more musical as the inaugural International Ukulele Festival prepares to strum into town.
The festival offers more than 30 workshops for ukulele enthusiasts of all skill levels, from beginners picking up their first four strings to seasoned players looking to perfect their technique. Beyond the educational opportunities, the event will feature public concerts that promise to showcase the surprising versatility and charm of this often-underestimated instrument. It's a celebration that puts Fort Langley on the map as a destination for music lovers and proves that big things can indeed come in small packages.
Langley Foundation Launches "Show Your Love" Campaign
The Langley Foundation is asking residents to put their money where their community pride is with a new fundraising initiative.
The "Show Your Love for Langley" campaign aims to rally local support for projects that will make an already great community even better. While the foundation hasn't specified exactly which projects will benefit, the campaign represents a grassroots approach to community development that relies on local investment in local improvements.
It's the kind of initiative that turns good intentions into concrete action, giving residents a direct way to contribute to their community's future.
Langley City Launches Free Fitness Program for Adults 55+
Langley City is proving that age is just a number with the return of its popular "Choose to Move" program.
The free initiative specifically targets adults aged 55 and older, offering them opportunities to stay active and engaged in their community. The program recognizes that maintaining physical activity becomes increasingly important as people age, but also acknowledges that cost can be a barrier for many seniors.
By removing the financial obstacle, Langley City is making a clear statement about the value it places on the health and wellbeing of its older residents.
Terry Fox Run Marks 45th Anniversary in Langley City
Langley City residents laced up their running shoes to honor one of Canada's greatest heroes at the 45th annual Terry Fox Run.
The event commemorated Terry Fox's legendary Marathon of Hope, which began 45 years ago when the young athlete set out to run across Canada on one leg to raise money for cancer research. Since then, Terry Fox Runs worldwide have collectively raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research, making it one of the most successful fundraising campaigns in history.
The Langley City run continues this legacy, bringing together participants of all ages who run, walk, or roll to support the ongoing fight against cancer.
Record-Breaking Pickleball Fundraiser Benefits Langley City School
A July pickleball tournament in Langley City has set a new fundraising record, proving that this rapidly growing sport can serve up serious community support.
The event brought together players from across the region who competed not just for bragging rights, but for a cause that hits close to home – supporting local education. While the specific fundraising total wasn't disclosed in the initial reports, organizers confirmed it surpassed all previous events, suggesting the tournament raised several thousand dollars.
The success reflects both the explosive popularity of pickleball and the community's commitment to supporting their local schools through creative fundraising initiatives.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Fatal Two-Vehicle Collision Shuts Down Delta Intersection
A 69-year-old woman lost her life in a devastating two-vehicle crash that brought traffic to a standstill in Delta on Sunday afternoon.
The collision occurred around 12:20 p.m. at the intersection of 116th Street and 77A Avenue, prompting police to close the area for several hours while investigators worked to piece together what happened. The intersection remained blocked well into the evening as collision reconstruction specialists examined the scene and gathered evidence.
While police have not released details about the cause of the crash or the condition of others involved, the incident serves as a somber reminder of how quickly lives can change on our roadways.
Surrey Shooting at Bear Creek Park Leaves Man Hospitalized
A peaceful Saturday evening at Surrey's popular Bear Creek Park was shattered by gunfire that left one man seriously injured and a community on edge.
The shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. following what police describe as a confrontation in the park's parking lot, transforming a family-friendly recreational area into a crime scene.
Investigators are seeking a South Asian male suspect described as wearing a black turban and having a short beard, though they haven't released details about what triggered the violence.
British Columbia Gets Economic Update from Finance Minister
Finance Minister Brenda Bailey is set to deliver the province's first quarterly fiscal update, offering British Columbians a comprehensive look at where their tax dollars are going.
The 2025/26 fiscal year update promises to reveal not just the current state of provincial finances, but also provide insights into B.C.'s economic outlook amid changing federal policies and global economic uncertainties.
This quarterly snapshot will likely address key issues affecting residents' daily lives, from healthcare spending to infrastructure investments and social programs.
The timing is particularly significant as the province navigates post-pandemic recovery while managing the costs of climate action and housing initiatives.
National Canadian News
Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie Announces Resignation Plans
Ontario Liberal Party leader Bonnie Crombie has dropped a political bombshell, announcing she will step down once the party selects her successor.
Crombie's departure marks the end of a brief but eventful tenure leading the third-place party in Ontario's legislature, where the Liberals have struggled to regain relevance since their devastating 2018 election loss.
Her resignation comes at a crucial time for the party, which has been working to rebuild its brand and reconnect with voters ahead of the next provincial election. The leadership race that will follow promises to be a defining moment for the Ontario Liberals, as they seek to find a new voice capable of challenging both Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives and the NDP.
The timing of her announcement suggests internal party dynamics may have influenced her decision, though the specific reasons remain to be fully disclosed.
Veteran CTV News Anchor Beverly Thomson Dies at 61
Canadian journalism has lost one of its most respected voices with the death of veteran CTV News anchor Beverly Thomson at age 61 following a battle with cancer.
Thomson's decades-long career in broadcast journalism made her a familiar and trusted presence in households across the country, where she delivered both breaking news and human interest stories with equal professionalism and warmth.
Her death represents the loss of an era in Canadian television news, when anchors were not just newsreaders but community figures who helped shape public discourse.
Throughout her career, she covered major national and international events, always maintaining the highest standards of journalistic integrity and storytelling.
Her colleagues and viewers alike remember her not just for her professional accomplishments, but for her mentorship of younger journalists and her commitment to covering stories that mattered to everyday Canadians.
Prime Minister Carney Launches $13 Billion Housing Initiative
Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a massive $13 billion federal investment to tackle Canada's housing crisis through the new "Build Canada Homes" program.
The ambitious initiative will see the newly created federal agency oversee construction of 4,000 housing units across six Canadian cities: Dartmouth, Longueuil, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.
The program represents a significant shift in federal housing policy, with Ottawa taking a more direct role in construction rather than simply providing funding to provinces and municipalities.
Critics will likely point out that British Columbia, despite facing some of the country's most severe housing affordability challenges, was notably excluded from this initial phase.
The investment signals Carney's government is treating housing as a national emergency requiring direct federal intervention, though questions remain about timeline, affordability targets, and long-term sustainability of the program.
Sports News
🏀 B.C.'s Cassandra Brown Helps Canada Win Record Third 3x3 Basketball Championship
Cassandra Brown and the Canadian women's 3x3 basketball team made history in Shanghai, capturing a record-breaking third FIBA Women's Series Final championship.
The team, consisting of Brown, Paige Crozon, Katherine Plouffe, and Saicha Grant-Allen, dominated Azerbaijan 21-12 in the final to claim the 2025 title. This victory marks an unprecedented third championship for Canada in this format, establishing them as the dominant force in international women's 3x3 basketball. The fast-paced, half-court version of basketball has been growing in popularity globally, especially since its inclusion in the Olympics, and Canada's continued success helps elevate the profile of both the sport and women's basketball in general. Brown's contribution to this historic achievement adds another chapter to British Columbia's rich basketball heritage.
🏈 Canadian Flag Football Teams Medal at International Competition
Both the Canadian men's and women's flag football teams brought home medals from the International Federation of American Football Continental Cup in Panama City.
The dual medal performance highlights Canada's growing strength in flag football, a sport that's gaining international recognition and is being considered for future Olympic inclusion.
Flag football offers a non-contact alternative to traditional American football, emphasizing speed, agility, and strategic play-calling over physical confrontation.
The success of both Canadian teams at this IFAF event demonstrates the country's commitment to developing talent across all variations of football, not just the traditional 11-man game.
With flag football's Olympic prospects looking increasingly promising, these medals could represent early success in what might become a new frontier for Canadian Olympic competition.
Events Happening Today
Knitting & Crochet Club (Drop-In)
- Time: 9:30 to 11:30am
- Location: Murrayville Library
- Description: Pack up your needles, yarn, crochet projects, or any other textile work, and head to the library.
Join members of all ages and abilities to share ideas, techniques, and good conversation!
Babytime (Drop-In)
- Time: 2:00 to 2:30pm
- Location: City of Langley Library
- Description: Make language fun! Start early with Babytime. Help your baby develop speech and language skills. Enjoy bouncing, singing and rhyming with stories.
Babytime is a fun, social bonding activity for babies and caregivers. This program is best suited to children ages 0 to 2.
Monday Night Game Café (Drop-In)
- Time: 4:30 to 7:00pm
- Location: Muriel Arnason Library
- Description: Welcome to the Game Café, where everything on the menu comes with an extra serving of fun! Choose a game to play on your own, or team up with friends and family for some quality time. Fun for all ages!
- Note: Games are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are for in-library use only. Children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Please consider supporting the journalists risking their lives to document genocide by donating to the Gaza Journalist Fund. Every dollar helps cover evacuation costs, shelter, and basic survival needs for those bearing witness to history.
When we fund their survival, we preserve the truth and ensure these critical voices aren't silenced by displacement and deprivation.
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