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Happy Monday, Langley.
It's a mostly cloudy day out there with highs around 8°C and a slight chance of rain, so keep an extra layer handy.
In today's Roundup, we see how Langley residents rallied in Walnut Grove to protest a speaking appearance by the disgraced residential school denialist MLA Dallas Brodie. These folks made us incredibly proud by standing up for Indigenous and LGBTQ+ community members.
Across the border, a Walnut Grove resident is describing harrowing scenes of cartel violence while on vacation in Mexico. The U.S. government shutdown has suspended NEXUS service at Canadian airports, and a new analysis warns that BC's provincial budget will hit the province's poorest the hardest.
Closer to home, a GoFundMe is trying to save the Aldergrove Veterans and Seniors Centre from closure, the Brookswood Bobcats are in the basketball semi-finals, and Cascades Casino rang in the Lunar New Year.
Lots to dig into today.
Protesters Rally Against Controversial OneBC MLA's Appearance in Walnut Grove
About 40 people gathered in Walnut Grove on Saturday to protest an event featuring OneBC MLA Dallas Brodie, who was expelled from the B.C. Conservatives last year after mocking Indigenous residential school survivors on a podcast.
"It is important for me as a daughter of a residential school survivor to be here," said protest organizer Cecelia Reekie, whose father attended residential school. "If he knew and could hear what was being said, it would be devastating for him."
The event at Riverside Calvary Chapel was organized by Action4Canada, a group that claims to uphold "Christian biblical principles" and "Canadian sovereignty."
Since creating the OneBC party, Brodie has used her seat in the B.C. Legislature to attempt to ban land acknowledgements and end the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. She has also denied that children were buried at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.
Protesters wore orange Every Child Matters shirts and carried Pride flags, joined by former NDP candidate Holly Isaac, religious leaders from the United and Anglican churches, and multiple descendants of residential school survivors.
"It's hurtful to our elders, to our whole community," said Kim Hall, whose mother attended residential day school. Organized opposition has followed Brodie across the province in recent months, with about 300 people turning out for a similar protest in Creston just days earlier.
Editorial Note: The Langley Union stands in solidarity with our Indigenous neighbours and unequivocally condemns residential school denialism.
The harm inflicted by the residential school system is well-documented and deeply felt across generations of Indigenous families and communities.
Denying that reality is not a matter of political opinion. It is an attack on truth and on people who are still healing.
We also stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ neighbours and condemn all forms of homophobic and transphobic bigotry.
Langley is home to everyone, and there is no place here for politicians or organizations that seek to marginalize vulnerable communities for political gain.
Cascades Casino Rings in Lunar New Year with Traditional Celebration
Cascades Casino Resort in Langley is ushering in the Year of the Horse with a festive celebration featuring traditional Chinese cultural performances.
The casino welcomed Lion dancers to perform their centuries-old ritualistic dance, believed to bring good luck and fortune to businesses and communities. Guests were also treated to a visit from the fortune god, a beloved figure in Chinese mythology who symbolizes prosperity and good fortune.
The celebration showcases Langley's commitment to honoring the diverse cultural traditions within the community.
Video footage captured the colorful spectacle, complete with the thunderous drums and cymbals that traditionally accompany Lion dance performances.
GoFundMe Launched to Save Aldergrove Veterans and Seniors Centre
A GoFundMe campaign is raising $35,000 for a new roof at the Aldergrove Veterans and Senior Society, a community space that provides affordable meals, card games and daily activities for local seniors and veterans.
The fundraiser honors Joan Lewis, a 28-year volunteer whose estate is donating 10% of the needed amount as part of her final wishes.
Without the repairs, the centre on Fraser Highway cannot renew its insurance and risks permanent closure.
Supporters can donate online, contribute directly to AVASS, or visit during weekday hours to support their White Elephant table.
Langley City Resident Calls for Government Action Against Online Misinformation
In a letter to the Langley Advance Times, Langley City resident Cran Campbell is calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney and Parliament to hold tech giants accountable for the spread of misinformation and hate online.
Campbell argues that search engines and websites have become platforms for propaganda, racism and division, pointing to a recent racist attack against former President Barack Obama on a Trump-affiliated website.
The letter reflects a growing frustration shared by many Canadians who feel that tech companies have been allowed to operate without meaningful accountability for the harm their platforms enable.
Campbell is urging residents to contact their MPs and demand stricter regulation of internet providers.
Langley Resident Describes Car Bomb, Lockdowns During Mexico Cartel Violence
A Walnut Grove resident vacationing near Puerto Vallarta says a car bomb went off just a short walk from where she and her husband were staying as cartel violence swept across Mexico.
Millie McKinnon said their host warned them to stay inside after they returned from a trip to the markets on Sunday.
"It was very quiet last night," McKinnon said. "No traffic. No music."
The violence erupted after the Mexican Army killed Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera, with cartel members torching businesses and vehicles across multiple states, prompting shelter-in-place orders and the closure of Puerto Vallarta's international airport.
BC Budget Puts Financial Burden on Province's Poorest, Economist Warns
View on Zencastr
A new analysis from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says BC's latest provincial budget will hit low- and moderate-income households the hardest.
Despite Finance Minister Brenda Bailey's insistence that it is not an austerity budget, economists Marc Lee and Andrew Longhurst found that small spending increases spread over three years will amount to real cuts in services.
The analysis challenges the government's framing and raises serious questions about who is actually being asked to tighten their belts.
Lee discusses the findings in the newest episode of the Redeye podcast, embedded above and linked below.
U.S. Government Shutdown Disrupts NEXUS Service at Vancouver Airport
Canadian airports are warning travelers that NEXUS and Global Entry pre-clearance programs for U.S.-bound flights have been suspended.
Vancouver International Airport linked the closures to the partial U.S. government shutdown.
Airports in Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver and Toronto are asking passengers to allow extra time for security checks.
The suspension is in effect until further notice, adding yet another layer of uncertainty to cross-border travel under the current U.S. administration.
Vancouver Giants Rebound with Convincing Victory Over Portland
The Vancouver Giants have bounced back in impressive fashion, defeating the Portland Winterhawks in a game that showcased the team's resilience.
After what was presumably a tough loss in their previous outing, the Giants came out with renewed determination and focus. The victory keeps their playoff hopes alive and demonstrates the character of this young squad.
Next up for the Giants is a matchup against Seattle, providing another opportunity to build momentum as the season heads into its critical final stretch. Fans will be hoping this win signals a return to form for their beloved WHL franchise.
Brookswood Bobcats Claw Their Way to Basketball Semi-Finals
The Brookswood Bobcats have secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Junior Boys Basketball Invitational, setting up what promises to be an exciting Monday night showdown.
The team's journey to the semi-finals demonstrates the strength of basketball programs in Langley's secondary schools. After battling through preliminary rounds, the young Bobcats have proven they can compete with the best teams in the tournament.
Teams will take to the hardwood Monday evening as the Bobcats look to advance to the championship game. Local supporters are expected to turn out in force to cheer on the home team as they pursue tournament glory.
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