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Good morning, Langley!
We saw a foggy start earlier this morning with temperatures around 6°C, though Environment Canada says the fog should clear by this afternoon.
Today's roundup covers a lot of ground, from the Township's search for paid call firefighters to Prime Minister Mark Carney's bold speech at Davos declaring the end of American-led global order.
Closer to home, a Christmas Day collision between a pickup truck and a mobility scooter rider highlights serious gaps in road safety infrastructure and enforcement.
We've also got updates on spring recreation registration, TransLink's Langley-Haney bus rapid transit planning, and unfortunately more heartbreak for Canucks fans as the losing streak hits 11 games.
Township Fire Department Looking for Paid Call Firefighters
The Township of Langley Fire Department has launched a recruitment drive for paid call firefighters, offering residents a chance to serve their community in a challenging and rewarding role.
Paid call firefighters respond to emergencies on an on-call basis, balancing their firefighting duties with other employment or commitments. The position offers comprehensive training, competitive compensation, and the opportunity to make a real difference during critical situations. Applicants must meet specific physical and educational requirements and be willing to undergo rigorous training.
Those interested in this opportunity are encouraged to visit the Township's careers website to learn more about the requirements, benefits, and application process. The deadline to submit applications is January 25, 2026, so prospective firefighters should act quickly.
Township of Langley Opens Spring Recreation Registration in February
Spring is coming, and so is a new season of recreation programs in Langley Township.
Registration for spring 2026 classes opens February 17 for Township residents and February 24 for everyone else. Swimming lessons follow a separate schedule starting March 3.
Programs run from April through June and include arts, culture, fitness, and aquatics.
Township residents should verify their address now to get priority access when registration opens.
Langley City Scooter Rider Struck by Pickup Driver on Christmas Day, Highlights Gaps in Road Safety
Anita Soderquist was heading to church on Christmas morning when a pickup truck ran through a crosswalk and struck her mobility scooter.
The 70-year-old narrowly escaped serious injury but now fears crossing the road. She's calling on drivers to watch for vulnerable road users.
The incident raises questions about whether Langley's infrastructure does enough to protect pedestrians.
Flashing crossing lights and better signage could alert drivers to people in crosswalks.
B.C.'s vulnerable road user law sets fines at just $109 for failing to take proper precautions, a penalty critics say is too weak to change behaviour.
When a momentary lapse in attention can kill someone, a $109 ticket hardly creates a meaningful deterrent.
Township Seeks Outstanding Volunteers for Annual Awards
The Township of Langley is calling on residents to nominate exceptional volunteers who have made meaningful contributions to the community.
Through the annual Volunteer Awards program, the Township recognizes individuals whose dedication and service have positively impacted Langley.
Whether they've contributed to local charities, community organizations, sports teams, or neighbourhood initiatives, these unsung heroes deserve recognition for their selfless work. Nominations are being accepted until Monday, March 2, 2026, giving residents plenty of time to highlight those who make a difference.
The awards celebrate the spirit of volunteerism that makes Langley such a vibrant and connected community, honoring those who give their time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return.
Township of Langley Offers Free 30-Day Active Pass with Personal Training Purchase
Langley Township is giving residents a reason to stick with their New Year's fitness goals.
Buy three or more personal training sessions by January 31 and get a free 30-day Active Pass.
The pass includes access to pools, saunas, skating rinks, fitness centres, and drop-in classes across Township facilities.
It's a solid deal for anyone looking to build healthier habits this winter.
TransLink Seeks Public Input on Langley-Haney Bus Rapid Transit
TransLink is moving forward with planning for the Langley-Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor and wants to hear from Fraser Valley residents about the proposed design.
The transit agency is conducting public engagement through both in-person open houses and an online survey to gather feedback on travel lane configurations, station locations, and other key elements of the BRT system. This rapid transit line will connect Willowbrook in Langley with Haney Place in Maple Ridge, providing faster, more reliable transit service along one of the region's busiest corridors. The BRT will feature dedicated bus lanes and signal priority to reduce travel times and improve service reliability.
Public input will help shape the final design of the corridor, ensuring it meets the needs of local communities while supporting regional transportation goals. Residents are encouraged to participate in the engagement process to have their voices heard.
Unseasonably Warm January Brings Early Blossoms, But Risks Remain
British Columbia's remarkably mild January weather has coaxed plants into early blooming, delighting some residents but concerning horticulturalists who worry about potential damage from future cold snaps.
North Vancouver resident Larry Sewell was among those who did a double-take when spotting cherry blossoms and other spring flowers appearing weeks ahead of their normal schedule.
While the early blooms create beautiful scenery, they leave plants vulnerable if temperatures suddenly plunge, which could damage or kill buds and flowers that have emerged too soon.
Experts warn that this unseasonably warm weather, likely linked to broader climate patterns, creates uncertainty for both wild and cultivated plants.
A return to more typical winter temperatures could devastate early bloomers, affecting everything from ornamental gardens to commercial fruit crops that depend on proper dormancy periods.
B.C. Conservatives Set $115,000 Entry Fee for Leadership Race
The B.C. Conservative Party has announced the rules for its leadership contest, with a winner to be declared on May 30.
Candidates will need to pay $115,000 in fees over four months, plus a $20,000 deposit and 20 per cent of all donations raised.
Five candidates have entered the race so far, including MLAs Sheldon Clare and Peter Milobar, former B.C. Liberal cabinet minister Iain Black, Capilano University chancellor Yuri Fulmer, and political commentator Caroline Elliott.
The steep financial requirements are meant to ensure candidates can handle the fundraising demands of a general election campaign.
Emily Carr Exhibition Coming to Vancouver Art Gallery
Art enthusiasts will soon have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the work of iconic British Columbia artist Emily Carr through a major new exhibition at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
"That Green Ideal," opening February 6, will showcase Carr's distinctive paintings of Pacific Northwest forests, Indigenous villages, and coastal landscapes that helped define Canadian art in the early 20th century.
The exhibition will feature both well-known masterpieces and lesser-seen works, providing fresh insights into Carr's artistic evolution and her deep connection to B.C.'s natural environment and Indigenous cultures.
Carr's bold use of color and expressive brushwork captured the spiritual essence of the West Coast landscape in ways that continue to resonate today.
The exhibition promises to be a comprehensive look at one of Canada's most celebrated artists and her enduring legacy in shaping how we view the Pacific Northwest.
Carney Positions Canada as Leader of Middle Powers Against American Hegemony
Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a striking speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, declaring the U.S.-led international order over and urging middle powers to band together against domination by great powers.
"If you are not at the table, you are on the menu," Carney warned, calling on countries like Canada to build "strategic autonomy" in energy, food, defence, and supply chains.
He pointed to Canada's rapid pivot away from U.S. dependence, including 12 trade and security deals across four continents in six months, doubled defence spending, and a new partnership with China.
Carney framed the choice starkly: middle powers can either compete for favour from hegemons, or combine to forge a third path.
"The old order is not coming back," he said. "Nostalgia is not a strategy."
Air Canada and Flight Attendants Head to Arbitration After Workers Reject Wage Offer
Air Canada and its flight attendants are now in arbitration to settle wages after workers overwhelmingly rejected the airline's final offer.
More than 99 per cent of the over 10,000 flight attendants voted against the proposed wages in September 2025.
The two sides had agreed during last summer's strike that unresolved wage disputes would go to mediation and then arbitration.
Other contract terms covering pensions, health benefits, and vacation are already settled.
Canucks' Misery Continues with 4-3 Loss to Islanders
Anthony Duclair scored twice as the New York Islanders defeated the struggling Vancouver Canucks 4-3, extending Vancouver's losing streak to 11 consecutive games.
The Canucks' dismal run has become one of the worst stretches in franchise history, with the team unable to find answers despite coaching adjustments and lineup changes. Duclair's two-goal performance proved to be the difference-maker in a game that saw Vancouver battle but ultimately fall short once again. The loss deepens the crisis atmosphere surrounding the Canucks as they search desperately for ways to right the ship.
Head coach Adam Foote and his staff face mounting pressure as the team's playoff hopes continue to fade with each defeat. The 11-game losing streak has erased much of the optimism from earlier in the season and raised serious questions about the team's composition and ability to compete in a tough Pacific Division.
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