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With a pleasant mix of sun and cloud reaching 20°C today, it's a perfect day to get involved in your community as Langley Township continues to strengthen its emergency preparedness and environmental stewardship efforts!
Today's roundup highlights the Township's call for Emergency Support Services volunteers ahead of fall training, the return of the hazardous waste collection program helping residents dispose of toxic materials responsibly, and the launch of WaterWeeks 2025 featuring a month of free environmental activities.
Meanwhile, federal immigration policy changes are providing a temporary population pause that could help local services catch up, though track problems on the SkyTrain Expo Line remind us how critical reliable public transit infrastructure remains for working families across the region.
Local Langley News
Township Seeks Emergency Support Services Volunteers for Fall 2025
The Township of Langley is calling on community-minded residents to join their Emergency Support Services program, which provides critical aid to evacuees during crisis situations.
The ESS program offers direct support to people who have been displaced from their homes during emergencies like floods, fires, or other disasters. Volunteers receive comprehensive training to help manage evacuation centers and provide essential services including registration, food services, lodging coordination, and personal support to those affected by emergencies.
Training sessions begin this fall, with the Township providing all necessary education and resources to volunteers. The program is particularly vital given the increasing frequency of climate-related emergencies in British Columbia, making community preparedness more important than ever.
Interested residents can contact follow this link to apply.
Langley Township's Annual Hazardous Waste Collection Event Returns
Langley Township residents have another opportunity to safely dispose of toxic household materials through the Township's hazardous waste collection program.
The event accepts a wide range of hazardous materials that shouldn't go in regular garbage or recycling, including paint, batteries, motor oil, pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and electronic waste. This service helps protect the environment by ensuring these potentially harmful substances are processed through proper disposal channels rather than ending up in landfills or waterways.
The collection runs for a limited time and serves Township of Langley residents only, with proof of residency required. Items must be in their original containers when possible, and there are quantity limits per household to ensure fair access for all residents.
This initiative is part of the Township's broader environmental stewardship efforts and helps residents manage household hazardous waste responsibly throughout the year.
WaterWeeks 2025: Environmental Stewardship Takes Center Stage
The Langley Environmental Partners Society, in partnership with the Township of Langley, is launching WaterWeeks 2025, a month-long celebration of local environmental stewardship running from September 27 to October 25.
The program features an impressive lineup of free community events including Forest Fest x BC Rivers Day Festival at Derek Doubleday Arboretum, guided nature walks, film screenings, tree planting sessions, and stream cleanup activities.
Highlights include a Community Lantern Festival at Campbell Valley Regional Park, a screening of "Just Eat It: A Food Waste Story" with filmmakers in attendance, and salmon habitat restoration work on Yorkson Creek.
All events are designed to encourage active community engagement with Langley's natural environment, offering residents hands-on opportunities to learn about and contribute to local conservation efforts. The program culminates with a Pumpkin Walk through the Demonstration Garden, featuring educational activities about nocturnal animals and bat crafts.
Registration is required for most events due to space limitations, and participants can contact LEPS directly to reserve their spots for these popular environmental programs.
Regional Vancouver / Fraser Valley News
Federal Immigration Changes Signal Population Pause for Metro Vancouver
New federal immigration policies will cause Metro Vancouver's population to decline by 0.1% in 2026, giving local governments much-needed breathing room after years of explosive growth.
After population growth spiked to 4.5% annually starting in 2021 (well above the typical 1-2% rate), the region's services have been stretched thin and housing costs have soared beyond working families' reach.
While Langley City's population is still projected to grow from 35,316 to around 45,000 by 2047, this temporary slowdown offers an opportunity for better transit infrastructure and affordable housing development to catch up with demand.
The region must seize this moment to build dense, walkable communities around future transit nodes rather than continuing sprawling car-dependent development that burdens working families with transportation costs.
Track Problems Cause Delays on SkyTrain Expo Line
Yesterday during afternoon rush hour, TransLink reported significant service disruptions on the Expo Line due to track issues near Patterson Station, with passengers experiencing extended travel times.
The technical problems affected train scheduling throughout the line, creating ripple effects that impact commuters during peak travel periods.
TransLink maintenance crews worked quickly to resolve the infrastructure issues, but the repairs required careful coordination to ensure safety while minimizing service interruptions.
The incident highlights the challenges of maintaining aging rapid transit infrastructure while meeting the transportation needs of a growing metropolitan region that increasingly relies on public transit.
National Canadian News
Federal Budget Set for November 4 Delivery
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne has announced that the Liberal government will table the federal budget on November 4, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal fiscal document ahead of a potential election.
The timing places the budget delivery in the midst of ongoing political uncertainty, with the government facing pressure on multiple fronts including affordability concerns, healthcare funding, and economic competitiveness. The November date allows for extensive pre-budget consultations while positioning the government to respond to evolving economic conditions and opposition demands.
Key areas of focus are expected to include housing affordability measures, healthcare transfers to provinces, climate action investments, and economic growth initiatives designed to address productivity challenges. The budget will also need to balance spending priorities with fiscal responsibility amid concerns about rising debt levels and interest costs.
The announcement comes as the government seeks to demonstrate its continued ability to govern effectively while managing a minority parliament situation that requires ongoing negotiations with opposition parties to secure passage of major legislation and spending measures.
Study: Temporary Foreign Workers in Healthcare Build Stronger Communities, Despite Political Attacks
New research shows temporary foreign workers in healthcare are successfully transitioning to permanent residency at nearly double the rate of other sectors, proving these essential workers deserve a clear path to citizenship rather than political scapegoating.
Nearly 60% of temporary foreign healthcare workers obtain permanent residency and over half stay in the sector for years, earning an average of $33.25 per hour and benefiting from union representation that's ten times higher than in agriculture or food service.
While Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and BC NDP Premier David Eby push to shut down the program entirely, migrant worker advocates and the Hospital Employees' Union are fighting for permanent resident status on arrival for all healthcare workers.
The real solution isn't abandoning these essential workers who keep our hospitals running, but ensuring they have the security and rights that come with permanent residency from day one.
Controversial B.C. LNG Project Approval Sparks Indigenous Rights Debate
The Union of BC Indian Chiefs is condemning the provincial approval of the Ksi Lisims LNG project, calling it evidence that "reconciliation is nothing more than a slogan" following the government's decision to proceed despite First Nations opposition.
Premier David Eby announced the approval of an environmental assessment certificate for the LNG terminal north of Prince Rupert, stating the project will proceed regardless of continuing Indigenous objections. The decision has intensified debates about the meaningful implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the principle of free, prior, and informed consent.
Critics argue the approval process demonstrates a fundamental disconnect between government reconciliation rhetoric and actual decision-making when economic interests conflict with Indigenous rights. The project approval comes despite concerns raised by affected First Nations about environmental impacts, cultural site protection, and inadequate consultation processes.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between resource development priorities and Indigenous sovereignty, with observers noting that similar conflicts continue to arise across Canada as governments balance economic development pressures with constitutional obligations to Indigenous peoples.
Sports News
🏒 Abbotsford Canucks Extend Head Coach Manny Malhotra's Contract
The Vancouver Canucks organization has secured continuity in their farm system by extending Abbotsford Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra's contract through the 2026-27 season.
Malhotra's contract extension reflects the organization's confidence in his ability to develop young prospects and maintain a competitive AHL team that serves as a crucial pipeline to the NHL club. Under his guidance, the Abbotsford Canucks have established themselves as both a developmental platform and a competitive franchise in their own right.
The former NHL player brings extensive professional experience and a reputation as an effective communicator who can bridge the gap between junior and professional hockey for emerging talent. His coaching approach emphasizes skill development while maintaining the competitive standards necessary for players to earn call-ups to Vancouver.
This extension provides stability for the organization's development system and ensures continuity in coaching philosophy between the AHL and NHL levels, which is considered crucial for prospect development in modern professional hockey.
⚡ U Sports Modernizes Transfer Rules for Student-Athletes
Canadian university sports has implemented significant policy changes that will allow first- and second-year student-athletes to transfer between institutions without sitting out a mandatory season.
The new transfer rules represent a major shift in U Sports policy, aligning Canadian university athletics more closely with trends in American college sports while prioritizing student-athlete flexibility and academic success. Previously, most transfers required athletes to forfeit a year of eligibility, which often discouraged moves that might have been academically or athletically beneficial.
The policy change acknowledges that young student-athletes may initially choose programs that don't align with their long-term academic or athletic goals, and shouldn't be penalized for making adjustments early in their university careers. The rules are designed to support student success while maintaining competitive balance across U Sports programs.
Universities across Canada are now adjusting their recruitment and retention strategies to account for the increased mobility of student-athletes, with coaches emphasizing the importance of creating positive program cultures that will retain top talent in an increasingly competitive landscape.
🚣 Abbotsford Athlete Competes at World Rowing Championships
Maijken Meindertsma has earned selection to represent Canada as one of nine athletes on the Canadian Senior Men's Squad at the World Rowing Championships.
Meindertsma's selection represents the culmination of years of dedicated training and competition in the demanding sport of rowing, where athletes must demonstrate exceptional cardiovascular fitness, technical precision, and mental toughness. Making the national team requires consistent performance at domestic competitions and meeting strict time standards in qualifying events.
The World Rowing Championships represent the pinnacle of international competition outside of the Olympic Games, attracting the world's fastest rowers to compete across multiple boat classes and distances. Canadian rowers have historically performed well at this level, with strong programs that consistently produce Olympic-caliber athletes.
The Abbotsford athlete's participation highlights the Fraser Valley's growing reputation as a training ground for high-performance athletes, with local facilities and coaching programs producing competitors capable of representing Canada on the world stage across multiple sports.
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🏈 BC Lions Plan Major Orange Shirt Day Game Celebration
The BC Lions are distributing 10,000 free Orange Shirt Day t-shirts at their September 26 game against the Toronto Argonauts, creating one of the CFL's largest Truth and Reconciliation awareness events.
The massive shirt giveaway is timed to coincide with the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, allowing the Lions to use their platform to educate fans about the history and ongoing impacts of residential schools. The organization is partnering with Indigenous groups to ensure the event respectfully honors survivors and raises awareness about reconciliation.
Beyond the t-shirt distribution, the game will feature educational content, traditional ceremonies, and opportunities for fans to learn about Indigenous culture and history. The Lions view this as part of their broader commitment to reconciliation and creating meaningful dialogue about Indigenous issues through sport.
The event represents the type of large-scale community engagement that professional sports teams can uniquely provide, using their reach and influence to support important social causes while entertaining fans and building stronger community connections.
Events Happening Today
Sensory Play for Babies (Drop-In)
- Time: 10:00 to 11:00am
- Location: City of Langley Library
- Description: Enjoy social time and sensory play during this fun drop-in program for babies, as well as their parents and guardians.
For children ages 24 months and under, toys are provided.
Babytime (Drop-In)
- Time: 10:30 to 11:00am
- Location: Fort 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.
Storytime (Drop-In)
- Time: 10:30 to 11:00am
- Location: Aldergrove Library
- Description: Introduce kids to the love of books and language with Storytime! Children and caregivers will enjoy interactive stories, songs, rhymes and more. Storytime prepares children to learn to read.
Storytime (Drop-In)
- Time: 11:00 to 11:30am
- Location: Brookswood Library
- Description: Introduce kids to the love of books and language with Storytime! Children and caregivers will enjoy interactive stories, songs, rhymes and more. Storytime prepares children to learn to read.
Sit 'n Stitch (Drop-In)
- Time: 12:30 to 2:30pm
- Location: Fort Langley Library
- Description: The library invites you to bring your knitting, crochet, or any other lap-sized craft and spend some time creating with us.
Scrabble Club (Drop-In)
- Time: 1:30 to 3:30pm
- Location: City of Langley Library
- Description: Come join us for a rousing game of Scrabble in the library. Friendly environment that welcomes new players.
STEAM Club: Marble Run
- Time: 3:00 to 4:00pm
- Location: Brookswood Library
- Description: A fun, monthly club that explores the elements of STEAM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Each month will feature a new activity.
This month, explore the science behind marble runs as we design and build our own.
Suitable for ages 7-12.
All Ages Drop-In Chess
- Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm
- Location: Aldergrove Library
- Description: Calling chess players of all ages—those who want to learn, improve, meet other chess players, or just have fun!
Coaching on basic rules provided.
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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