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Happy Wednesday, Langley!
It's a sunny one out there with a high of about 13°C, so enjoy it while it lasts.
In today's roundup, the Township is planning to lease public land near Glover Road and Rawlison Crescent to Trans Mountain Pipeline, the same project that ballooned from $5.4 billion to over $34 billion on the taxpayer dime.
There's also a public hearing coming up on April 13 for a 132-unit housing proposal near 208 Street, and the Township is hosting open houses this week on the Willoughby Community Plan update, driven in part by TransLink's proposed Bus Rapid Transit along 200 Street.
On the sports side, the Canucks dropped another one at home and the Vancouver Bandits added two university forwards ahead of the 2026 CEBL season.
Township Leasing Public Land to Trans Mountain, Canada's $34-Billion Pipeline Boondoggle
The lease location is on Glover Rd, adjacent to Rawlison Crescent
The Township of Langley plans to lease two parcels of public land near Glover Road to Trans Mountain Pipeline ULC at $3.44 per square foot on a one-year term.
The pipeline's expansion project ballooned from an original estimate of $5.4 billion to a final cost of $34.2 billion after the federal government purchased it from Kinder Morgan in 2018, when the company abandoned it over financial risks.
According to the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, the federal government has provided $35.6 billion in direct funding to the project, and roughly 70% of that investment cannot be recovered through planned tolls, leaving taxpayers on the hook for billions in losses.
Residents with questions can contact the Township's Property Services Department at propinfo@tol.ca or 604-533-6063.
Langley Chamber of Commerce Pushes Back Against Provincial Sales Tax Changes
The Langley Chamber of Commerce is taking a stand against proposed provincial sales tax expansion, urging the province to abandon plans that could affect local businesses.
The Chamber's CEO has expressed deep concern that additional business categories could be added to the provincial sales tax list, potentially creating new financial burdens for companies already navigating a challenging economic landscape. This expansion would broaden the scope of which goods and services are subject to PST, impacting both businesses and consumers.
The Chamber's vocal opposition reflects growing anxiety among local business owners about increased tax obligations. The organization is advocating for the province to reconsider this move, arguing that now is not the time to expand tax burdens on businesses still recovering from recent economic pressures.
Township Eyes 132 New Homes Near 208 Street in Smith Neighbourhood
Langley Township is holding a public hearing on April 13 for a proposal to build 22 townhouses and a six-storey mixed-use building with 110 apartments and ground-floor commercial space at 7342 208 Street.
The rezoning would also remove a requirement for a joint elementary school and neighbourhood park site in the area east of 208 Street.
Residents can register to speak at tol.ca/speakers or submit written comments to legservicesinfo@tol.ca.
Mission Emergency Department Faces Extended Overnight Closures Through May
Residents of Mission will need to plan ahead for medical emergencies, as overnight closures at Mission Memorial Hospital's emergency department are now confirmed to continue into May.
Fraser Health has announced that construction work on the hospital's expanded emergency room will be accelerating, which necessitates the continued overnight closures. The expansion project aims to increase capacity and improve services at the facility, but the temporary inconvenience means patients requiring emergency care during nighttime hours will need to travel to alternative facilities.
The health authority is working to expedite the construction timeline to minimize disruption to community healthcare access. While the closures present challenges for local residents, the end result will be a significantly improved emergency department better equipped to serve the growing community.
B.C. Sees Overall Improvement in Respiratory Virus Season, But Some Strains Remain Elevated
British Columbia experienced a generally better respiratory virus season this year, with overall test results showing a decline compared to previous years.
However, health officials are noting that the picture isn't entirely rosy. Certain types of viruses remain at "elevated" levels according to provincial health agency reports. This mixed result suggests that while the overall burden of respiratory illness has decreased, specific viral strains continue to circulate at concerning rates in communities across the province.
The findings highlight the ongoing need for public health vigilance and suggest that while pandemic-era lessons have helped reduce some viral transmission, the province hasn't completely returned to pre-pandemic respiratory illness patterns.
Health authorities continue to monitor these elevated virus types to determine if intervention measures might be necessary.
Prime Minister Carney to Connect with Canadian Astronaut Following Historic Artemis II Moon Mission
Prime Minister Mark Carney is scheduled to speak with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen following the completion of the Artemis II mission to the moon.
The historic mission marks a significant achievement for Canada's space program, with Hansen becoming one of the first humans to travel to lunar orbit in over half a century. The Artemis II mission represents a crucial step in NASA's broader Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on and around the moon.
Hansen's participation in this groundbreaking mission highlights Canada's important role in international space exploration and the ongoing partnership with NASA. The conversation between the Prime Minister and the astronaut will likely focus on the mission's achievements and what it means for Canada's future in space exploration.
Indigenous Women's Advocacy Groups Call for Long-Term Federal Funding Commitment
Indigenous women's organizations are urging the federal government to provide long-term, stable funding to ensure safety and prosperity for Indigenous women and girls across Canada.
The call comes as a national focus on addressing the disproportionate risks faced by Indigenous women continues, with advocates emphasizing that short-term or inconsistent funding makes it difficult to implement sustainable programs and services. These organizations argue that predictable, multi-year funding commitments are essential for building effective support systems and prevention strategies.
The request for stable funding reflects ongoing concerns about violence against Indigenous women and the systemic barriers they face in accessing economic opportunities and social services. Advocates are making the case that investing in Indigenous women's safety and prosperity is not only a moral imperative but also an economic and social priority for the country.
Vancouver Bandits Add Two Canadian University Forwards for 2026 Season
The Vancouver Bandits signed Queen's University forward Ashton Bain and UFV Cascades standout Dario Lopez as part of CEBL Signing Day on Wednesday.
Bain, a 6-foot-9 Vancouver native, averaged 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds in his second season at Queen's.
Lopez earned Canada West First Team All-Star honours after putting up 15.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game in his final year with UFV.
The Bandits open the 2026 season May 14 in Saskatoon before their home opener May 22 at Langley Events Centre.
Vegas Edges Canucks 2-1 as Vancouver's Miserable Home Record Continues
Cole Smith scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period as the Vegas Golden Knights beat the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 at Rogers Arena on Tuesday.
Vegas outshot Vancouver 28-11 in a lopsided affair, with Nikita Tolopilo keeping the Canucks in it with 26 saves.
The Canucks managed just four shots over the final 40 minutes and sit last in the NHL standings with five games left.
Vegas, now winners of four straight under new head coach John Tortorella, remains tied atop the Pacific Division with Edmonton.
Canucks Goaltender Nikita Tolopilo Earns Rare Praise Despite Team's Continued Struggles
Vancouver Canucks goaltender Nikita Tolopilo didn't hear the Rogers Arena crowd chanting his name Tuesday night, but his performance hasn't gone unnoticed by those paying attention.
Despite another loss for the struggling Canucks, Tolopilo has emerged as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal season for Vancouver.
The young goaltender has been keeping games closer than they have any right to be, often facing heavy shot volumes as the team struggles defensively in front of him.
Teammates and coaches have been quick to point out that Tolopilo "doesn't get enough credit" for his performances, with his save percentage and composure under pressure standing out even as losses continue to pile up.
While learning he'd earned fan appreciation provided some consolation, it didn't ease the sting of another defeat for the competitive netminder.
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