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Good morning, Langley!
It's a mild Wednesday with temperatures around 8°C and cloudy skies overhead.
Today's roundup brings significant local developments, including Langley City's newly approved budget with major public safety investments, the ongoing fallout from Township borrowing decisions that volunteers flagged months ago, and Mayor Woodward's resistance to transit-oriented housing near the future Willowbrook SkyTrain station.
We've also got regional stories on flood recovery, property tax battles, and local sports highlights featuring the Canucks and Goldeneyes.
Langley City Council Approves Major Budget Focused on Public Safety
Langley City Council has given final approval to its 2026-2030 Financial Plan, marking the last budget of this council term with a clear emphasis on public safety investments.
Over the past four years, the city's budget has grown by $13 million or 38.5%, with half of that dedicated to maintaining current service levels.
The council has funded nine new suppression firefighters and one fire prevention officer, enabling the city to operate two 24/7 firefighting crews instead of one.
Additionally, five new police officers have been added with a focus on SkyTrain arrival preparedness, along with a new bylaw officer position.
Beyond public safety's $2.8 million boost, the city has increased infrastructure investments from $1 million to $2.4 million annually and allocated $1.2 million for land purchases in preparation for SkyTrain.
Recreation offerings have also expanded, including extending Al Anderson Pool operations from four to six months.
The budget reflects a comprehensive approach to maintaining services while preparing for future growth, with investments in everything from IT and HR to a new department addressing homelessness and urban forest maintenance.
Volunteers caught a $64.5M borrowing mistake that Langley Township missed
In June 2025, a handful of volunteers from Strong Towns Langley identified a critical flaw in the Township's financing plan while reading provincial documents at home.
The Township borrowed $64.5 million for sports facilities just days after courts struck down its developer payment program, despite the new provincial Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) system being unable to pay back debts from projects approved before the program existed.
Township staff, legal counsel, and council proceeded with the borrowing anyway, creating a funding gap that will likely delay promised community amenities like the Willoughby Community Centre for years.
Mayor Eric Woodward later dismissed critics as "getting it wrong," but a timeline of communications and shows that volunteers spotted the problem before the Township made it worse.
Langley Township mayor joins push against transit-oriented housing near future Willowbrook SkyTrain station
Mayor Eric Woodward joined 14 other Metro Vancouver mayors calling on the province to pause or undo housing mandates that require Langley Township to pre-zone for 20,000 additional units.
Woodward criticized density requirements near the future Willowbrook SkyTrain station as "high rise densities" imposed by the province, despite transit-oriented development being a core climate strategy that reduces car dependence and provides affordable housing options near rapid transit.
Housing Minister Christine Boyle rejected the mayors' demands, stating the province will not reverse policies that are "making a real difference" in addressing B.C.'s housing crisis.
The dispute highlights tensions between municipalities seeking to maintain low-density zoning and provincial efforts to build climate-friendly, transit-connected communities that can accommodate population growth without endless suburban sprawl.
Hope Golf Course Devastated as Flooding Carves New River Channel
The Coquihalla River has literally rewritten the landscape of a Hope golf course, creating an entirely new channel through the property during recent severe weather.
Between 10 and 15 percent of the course has been completely washed away by the river during heavy rain and atmospheric river conditions that pummeled the region. The flooding represents a dramatic reshaping of the property, with the river essentially claiming a new path through what was once manicured fairways and greens.
The damage occurred during a period of highly unstable weather that brought exceptional rainfall to the Fraser Valley and interior regions. Golf course operators now face the daunting task of assessing whether and how they can restore the facility.
This incident underscores the increasing frequency and severity of weather events impacting infrastructure and businesses throughout British Columbia.
BC Creates Loan Program for Cowichan Title Land Property Owners
British Columbia is developing a financial guarantee program to help property owners affected by the Cowichan Aboriginal title case.
The program would back mortgages and business loans for landowners in Richmond's Lulu Island area, where the court ruled the Cowichan Tribes hold title to public lands.
Montrose Properties, which owns several warehouses in the area, says the loan guarantees alone won't solve the uncertainty created by the ruling and has applied to reopen the case.
Premier David Eby estimates the program could provide up to $154 million in backing, though the province clarified that final numbers haven't been set.
Premier Eby Tours Flood-Affected Fraser Valley Farms as Waters Recede
Premier David Eby has visited Fraser Valley farmers as flood conditions begin to improve following the latest atmospheric river to hit the region.
The visit comes after Abbotsford's mayor had publicly called for increased government support for agricultural communities dealing with repeated flooding events. Farmers in the Fraser Valley have faced multiple flood challenges in recent years, with each event causing crop damage, infrastructure destruction, and significant financial losses.
The premier's tour allowed him to see firsthand the impact on agricultural operations and hear directly from farmers about their needs and concerns. The Fraser Valley is one of B.C.'s most productive agricultural regions, and repeated flooding threatens both individual farm viability and the province's food security.
While waters are receding, the long-term question of how to protect farmland from increasingly frequent severe weather events remains a critical challenge for both government and the agricultural community.
B.C. Communities Demand Delay on Pipeline Property Tax Changes
Mounting pressure is being placed on the provincial government to postpone changes to how pipeline properties are valued for taxation purposes.
One Regional District is specifically requesting at least a one-year reprieve as it braces for an annual tax revenue loss of $1.3 million due to the revaluation. The changes represent a significant hit to local government budgets that rely on property tax revenue to fund essential services.
Communities argue they need more time to adjust their budgets and find alternative revenue sources before implementing such dramatic changes. The $1.3 million loss for a single regional district illustrates how substantial the financial impact could be across multiple affected communities.
The province faces a difficult balancing act between implementing what it sees as fair property valuation practices and protecting local governments from sudden, destabilizing revenue losses.
🏒 Demko Delivers Shutout Performance as Canucks Blank Rangers at MSG
Thatcher Demko made 23 saves to lead the Vancouver Canucks to a decisive 3-0 victory over the New York Rangers at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
The shutout performance represents a strong statement game for both Demko and the Canucks on one of hockey's most famous stages. Demko's stellar goaltending denied the Rangers any opportunity to build momentum, while Vancouver's offense capitalized on their chances to secure three goals.
The B.C. squad will look to continue their success as they visit the New York Islanders on Friday for the next leg of their eastern road trip. The back-to-back games in the New York area provide an opportunity for the Canucks to build momentum with wins against Metropolitan Division opponents.
Demko's return to form is particularly encouraging for Vancouver, as reliable goaltending has been crucial to their success this season.
âš˝ Canadian Defender Nikola Markovic Poised for High MLS Draft Selection
The MLS SuperDraft takes place Thursday with Canadian defender Nikola Markovic expected to be selected early in the three-round draft.
D.C. United holds the first overall pick, and speculation is mounting about whether Markovic could be a top target for teams looking to bolster their defensive corps with young talent. The draft represents a significant opportunity for Canadian players to break into Major League Soccer, with all three Canadian teams, Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, and CF Montreal, holding selections.
Markovic's projected high draft position reflects the growing recognition of Canadian soccer talent at the professional level. For young Canadian players, being drafted into MLS provides a pathway to professional soccer without having to move overseas, while also keeping them in the Canadian soccer development system.
The draft will be closely watched by Canadian soccer fans eager to see where Markovic and other domestic prospects land.
🏒 Hometown Advantage: Local Players Shine for Vancouver Goldeneyes
Katie Chan and her teammate Gardiner are proving there's nothing quite like scoring goals in front of a hometown crowd.
Just months ago, the 22-year-old forward Chan was playing hockey overseas, but she's now become a fan favorite with the Vancouver Goldeneyes. The opportunity to play professionally at home has been transformative for these local athletes who previously had to travel far from British Columbia to pursue their hockey careers.
The presence of hometown players has helped the Goldeneyes build a strong connection with Vancouver fans who can see themselves reflected in the athletes on the ice. For Chan and Gardiner, the chance to play in front of family, friends, and familiar faces adds an extra layer of motivation.
Their success is also inspiring the next generation of young hockey players in the Vancouver area who can now see a clear pathway to playing professionally without leaving home.
People who are actively employed now make up nearly one in five food bank visits across Canada, more than people reporting no income at all.
The Archway Food Bank in Abbotsford serves over 6,200 people each month (including 38% children) and needs to raise $1.3 million before year's end to keep providing nutritious food hampers to neighbours who've exhausted every other option.
Please donate to ensure no family in our community goes hungry this winter.
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