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Bundle up and keep the umbrella handy as Langley faces another rainy December day with temperatures hovering around 8°C.
Today's roundup brings a mix of community action and political developments. Langley City Council has committed to annual programming on gender-based violence following advocacy from Battered Women's Support Services, while the Christmas Bureau urgently needs $75,000 to support hundreds of families this holiday season.
SkyTrain construction enters high gear with pylon and guideway work ramping up through 2027, and a deep dive into Christian nationalism reveals how American "parental rights" rhetoric is reshaping Canadian policy on education and LGBTQ+ issues.
Plus, international soccer comes to Langley, St. Joseph's opens its doors for Christmas dinner, and Aldergrove gears up for a New Year's bash.
Langley City commits to annual action on gender-based violence
Langley City Council has endorsed a campaign to raise public awareness about gender-based violence.
Councillor Rosemary Wallace's motion passed unanimously ahead of the 36th anniversary of the Montreal massacre, where a gunman murdered 14 female engineering students.
The initiative will incorporate education and prevention efforts into the city's Village Cafe series, creating ongoing annual programming to address what Wallace called a "very personal" issue affecting one in four women.
Inspired by advocacy from Battered Women's Support Services, the commitment comes as the organization continues pressing Metro Vancouver municipalities to take concrete action on intimate partner violence and femicide, though Langley Township has yet to respond to their outreach.
Langley Christmas Bureau needs $75,000 to support families this holiday season
The Langley Christmas Bureau is urgently calling for donations to close a $75,000 funding gap needed to provide holiday essentials for hundreds of families and thousands of children across the community.
Residents can donate online at LangleyChristmasBureau.com or drop off new, unwrapped toys and gift cards at Langley City Hall, located at 20399 Douglas Crescent.
Businesses are also encouraged to lead corporate giving campaigns and engage employees to strengthen team spirit through charitable donations.
With 82 dedicated volunteers already working to serve families facing financial hardship, coordinator Patty Lester emphasized that every child deserves to wake up on Christmas morning with joy, but the organization still needs significant community support to make that possible.
Aldergrove Gears Up for New Year's Eve Community Celebration
Ring in 2026 with your neighbours at a good old-fashioned community bash in Aldergrove!
The Aldergrove Seniors Society and Heritage Hall are teaming up to host a dinner and dancing event on December 31st, giving locals a festive alternative to pricey downtown celebrations.
The event promises to bring together community members of all ages for an evening of food, music, and small-town camaraderie.
It's the kind of wholesome New Year's celebration that'll have you home before the clock strikes one, and your wallet will thank you for it.
St. Joseph's Catholic Church Opens Doors for Christmas Day Feast
No one should spend Christmas alone, and a local Catholic church is doing its best to make sure that doesn't happen.
St. Joseph's Catholic church is inviting everyone in the community to join them for a traditional turkey dinner on Christmas Day, with a special focus on welcoming those who might otherwise not have access to a festive meal.
The event is open to anyone and everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, embodying the true spirit of the season.
Whether you're alone for the holidays, new to the area, or simply want to share a meal with your community, there's a seat at the table for you.
The doors open at 4:30pm, and dinner will be served at 5:00pm. All are welcome, regardless of their faith background.
It's community care at its finest, with all the trimmings.
Vancouver FC vs Mexican Powerhouse: Langley Match Tickets Flying Off the Shelves
Mark your calendars, soccer fans! International football is coming to Langley, and it's going to be a packed house.
Vancouver FC will face off against Cruz Azul, one of Mexico's top-tier professional teams, right here in Langley on February 4th.
Seats are selling out fast as fans clamor for a chance to watch the friendly match, which represents a significant draw for the local sports scene.
Cruz Azul brings serious pedigree to the pitch, making this far more than just an exhibition game for Vancouver FC.
If you've been on the fence about grabbing tickets, now's the time to act before you're left watching from a barstool instead of the stands.
SkyTrain Construction Entering High Gear: Pylons and Guideway Coming by 2027
If you thought the construction was intense now, buckle up—things are about to get even busier.
The next two years will see a construction frenzy as crews work to build the pylons and guideway for the SkyTrain extension between now and 2027.
This represents the most visible phase of the project, transforming the landscape as the elevated track takes shape across the community.
Residents should expect increased activity, road disruptions, and all the delightful sounds of major infrastructure development.
But hey, temporary inconvenience for long-term rapid transit? That's a trade-off most commuters are willing to make.
Climate change threatens B.C.'s $400 million cranberry industry, UFV research finds
Rising temperatures could devastate British Columbia's cranberry crops, according to new research from the University of the Fraser Valley.
Student researcher Yowana Kanyumwa tested six cranberry varieties and found that a 2-degree Celsius temperature increase led to substantially lower yields across all types, confirming earlier computer models that predicted climate impacts on the berry that's central to holiday meals across the region.
The stakes are high for an industry that generates over $400 million in economic activity and supports nearly 3,000 jobs in rural communities.
Researchers now hope to identify why warmer temperatures reduce berry production, with the goal of developing climate-resilient varieties and management strategies to protect Fraser Valley growers.
B.C. Premier David Eby Says He's 'Not Seeking' an Election in 2026
After a year that tested his NDP coalition government to its limits, Premier David Eby is making it clear: he's not looking to go back to voters anytime soon.
The declaration comes after a challenging period that saw his government navigate several political landmines, including the announcement of a pulp mill closure in Crofton on December 3rd.
Despite what should have been a devastating blow to his political fortunes, Eby's government has managed to hold together its fragile coalition.
The premier's reluctance to seek a 2026 election suggests he's focused on governing rather than campaigning, though in B.C. politics, things can change faster than you can say "snap election."
With a one-seat advantage keeping the NDP in power, stability is the name of the game.
How American Christian nationalism infiltrated Canadian policy
Christian nationalist movements are increasingly influencing Canadian public policy through imported American rhetoric about "parental rights."
This language targets trans youth and justifies education privatization, according to analysis from Perspectives Journal.
Progressive Christian movements like the Social Gospel historically championed universal healthcare and workers' rights, but contemporary Christian nationalism deploys prosperity theology to frame poverty as moral failure rather than systemic inequality.
This provides ideological cover for austerity and privatization.
The article traces how language from groups like Action4Canada has shaped anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Saskatchewan and Alberta.
Meanwhile, residential school denialism allows faith-based actors to maintain moral authority without accountability for colonial violence.
Despite Christian nationalism's growing influence, many Canadian faith communities continue working toward reconciliation and social justice.
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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