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It's a cloudy 10°C in Langley this Thursday, and it's a busy news day.
Premier Eby is pushing ahead with controversial amendments to B.C.'s Indigenous rights law over strong First Nations opposition, with leaked documents showing the changes would water down mandatory reconciliation commitments.
On the federal trade front, the Trump administration is targeting Canada's Online News Act and Online Streaming Act in the CUSMA review.
Closer to home, the Township is introducing a virtual waiting room to fix its recreation registration headaches, a 37-unit townhouse project is proposed near Langley Events Centre, and Project Black Feather's youth anti-gang funding has been extended.
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is in orbit after Artemis II's successful launch.
And in local sports, Vancouver FC kicks off its CPL season at Willoughby this Saturday at 4 p.m., while the Vancouver Bandits have signed Coquitlam's Dominic Parolin for the upcoming CEBL season.
Township Introduces Virtual Waiting Room to Ease Recreation Registration Rush
The Township of Langley is rolling out a virtual waiting room system designed to make online recreation program registration much less frustrating for residents.
The new system will debut on April 10, 2026, and is specifically designed to reduce the website slowdowns and crashes that have plagued registration during peak demand periods.
Instead of refreshing browsers and competing for bandwidth, residents will be placed in a virtual queue and given estimated wait times.
The Township hopes this will create a fairer, more transparent registration experience while maintaining the integrity of their website infrastructure during high-traffic events.
More Lane Closures Coming as SkyTrain Project Advances Through Langley
Langley drivers should prepare for yet another round of traffic adjustments as SkyTrain construction continues its march through the community.
A temporary narrowing of 200 Street is on the horizon as crews work to extend the rapid transit line into the area. The changes are part of the ongoing infrastructure project that will eventually connect Langley to the regional transit network.
While the construction may cause short-term headaches for commuters, officials say the long-term benefits of improved transit connectivity will be worth the temporary inconvenience. Drivers are encouraged to plan alternate routes and allow extra time for their commutes during the construction period.
Developer Proposes 37-Unit Townhouse Project Near Langley Events Centre
A developer is seeking rezoning approval for a townhouse project that would add 37 new housing units to an area near the Langley Events Centre that's already seeing considerable growth.
The proposed development would contribute to the ongoing densification of the area, which has become increasingly attractive for residential development in recent years. The project represents another step in Langley's evolution as the community works to address regional housing needs.
The rezoning application is currently under review, and residents will have opportunities to provide feedback during the public consultation process. If approved, construction could begin within the next year.
Langley's Youth Anti-Gang Program, Project Black Feather, Gets Federal Funding Extension
Project Black Feather, a joint program between Langley City, the Township, and the Langley School District, will continue after the federal government extended its funding.
The program has worked with 400 young people and helped more than 150 show positive changes, including addiction recovery and reduced gang involvement.
Langley City Council is now pushing Ottawa to make the funding permanent and to create a national knowledge-sharing network for similar programs.
Council has approved sending a letter to the Minister of Public Safety requesting a meeting on the issue.
Eby to Force Through Weakened Indigenous Rights Law Over First Nations Opposition
Premier David Eby says amending B.C.'s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is "non-negotiable" and will happen before the spring session ends May 28.
Leaked documents obtained by The Canadian Press show the amendments would strip mandatory language requiring B.C. to align its laws with the UN Declaration on Indigenous Peoples, replacing it with the far weaker commitment of "working toward" alignment.
First Nations leaders have called the changes a gutting of the law, and the First Nations Leadership Council has urged Indigenous MLAs to vote against them.
Eby admits the process has been "rushed" and is "not a co-development process," a striking departure from the consultation standards that reconciliation demands.
Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen Successfully Launches on Historic Artemis II Lunar Mission
Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is now circling Earth as part of a historic lunar mission after the successful launch of Artemis II from Cape Canaveral.
Hansen is one of four astronauts aboard the spacecraft that will eventually journey to the moon, marking a major milestone in both Canadian space exploration and NASA's return to lunar missions. The Artemis II mission represents Canada's most significant human spaceflight participation since the early days of the International Space Station program.
The successful launch came after years of preparation and several delays to ensure all systems were functioning perfectly for the crew's safety. Hansen and his fellow astronauts will spend time in Earth orbit before eventually heading toward the moon, paving the way for future missions that will actually land on the lunar surface. Canadians across the country are celebrating this moment of national pride as Hansen carries the maple leaf into deep space.
Trump Administration Targets Canadian Media Laws in CUSMA Review
The U.S. is pushing Canada to weaken its Online News Act and Online Streaming Act as part of the CUSMA trade review.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has listed both laws as "issues" to resolve, and House Republicans introduced legislation in March to investigate the Online Streaming Act as an unfair trade practice.
The two laws require tech giants like Google, Netflix and Meta to help fund Canadian news and content creation.
Prime Minister Carney and Culture Minister Marc Miller have signalled flexibility on both laws but say the U.S. cannot dictate terms.
The question now is whether Ottawa will trade away cultural policy to save a trade deal that the Trump administration has already undermined with unilateral tariffs.
Vancouver Bandits Sign Coquitlam's Dominic Parolin for 2026 CEBL Season
The Vancouver Bandits have signed 6-foot-9 forward Dominic Parolin, a Coquitlam product and Centennial Secondary alumnus, to their 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League roster.
Parolin comes to Langley after a six-year NCAA Division I career at Lehigh University and Boise State University, where he averaged 5.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this past season.
He joins former Golden State Warrior Mychal Mulder and reigning CEBL Canadian Player of the Year Tyrese Samuel on the Bandits roster.
Vancouver opens its season May 14 in Saskatoon before hosting Edmonton on May 22 at Langley Events Centre.
Vancouver FC Kicks Off 2026 CPL Season at Home Saturday
Vancouver FC opens its 2026 Canadian Premier League season with a home match against Halifax Wanderers FC at Willoughby Community Park this Saturday at 4 p.m.
The matchup features the return of former Whitecaps FC coach Vanni Sartini, now leading the Wanderers.
Fans can arrive early for pre-match live music from School of Rock Langley's Senior House Band at 3 p.m., with Canadian artist Jojo Mason performing at halftime.
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