Table of Contents
The best way to help The Langley Union grow is simple: share this newsletter. Forward it to a friend, mention it to your family, or post it on social media and encourage others to subscribe.
Good afternoon, friends!
Bundle up for a chilly, overcast Tuesday in Langley with temperatures hovering around 3°C and rain expected later tonight.
Today's roundup brings encouraging news for some Township residents facing lower utility bills and significant developments in regional infrastructure and Indigenous title cases affecting property owners across BC.
Langley Events Centre Teams Up with Meridian Farm Market for Fresh Food Experience
The Langley Events Centre has struck up a tasty new partnership that's sure to please hockey fans and concertgoers alike.
Local favorite Meridian Farm Market will now be handling all concession and food services at the popular venue, bringing their farm-fresh approach to game nights and special events.
The partnership marks a shift toward supporting local businesses while providing quality food options for the thousands of visitors who pass through the LEC's doors each year.
Meridian Farm Market, known for their commitment to locally-sourced ingredients and quality fare, will be taking over all food service operations at the facility.
This collaboration represents a win-win for both the venue and the community, keeping dollars local while elevating the dining experience for patrons.
Good News for Some Langley Township Residents: Water and Sewer Bills Are Going Down
Here's a rare bit of news that'll make you smile when opening your utility bill: some Langley Township residents are about to see their water and sewer costs drop.
People living in condos and townhouses will be the beneficiaries of declining flat rates for these essential services, providing a bit of financial relief in a time when most costs seem to be heading in the opposite direction.
The rate adjustment reflects changes in how the Township is structuring its utility billing for multi-family residential properties. While details on the specific savings weren't provided, any reduction in monthly expenses is welcome news for households managing increasingly tight budgets.
Pattullo and new Stal̕əw̓asəm bridges to close for week starting Feb. 6
Both the aging Pattullo Bridge and its new replacement, Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge, will shut down completely for a week starting Feb. 6 at 8 p.m., cutting off direct vehicle access between Surrey and New Westminster while crews complete roadway connections.
The closure affects the $1.6-billion bridge replacement project that has faced construction delays and debate over its four-lane design, with some advocating for six lanes instead.
By late February, all four lanes on the new bridge are expected to open before the old Pattullo begins its two-year deconstruction, while final work on Surrey-side ramps and paths won't wrap up until mid-2026.
Property Owner Seeks to Reopen Cowichan Title Case, Citing Lack of Warning
A Richmond property company is asking the court to reopen the landmark Cowichan Tribes Aboriginal title case, claiming it suffered financial harm without proper warning that the August 2025 ruling could affect its private land.
Montrose Properties, which owns hundreds of acres including distribution warehouses for major retailers, says cancelled bank loans have already cost it millions and wants to submit new evidence and reargue parts of the case.
The First Nation's lawyer is pushing back, demanding the province first disclose all communications with Montrose since the case began in 2014, arguing that a 2017 court decision made clear any party could have informed landowners about the proceedings.
BC's Attorney General now supports Montrose's application and admits property owners should have been notified, raising questions about what the province actually told affected landowners over the past decade as the case wound through Canada's longest-ever trial.
The dispute over disclosure could delay or complicate the scheduled February hearing on whether to reopen the case, even as the province and City of Richmond pursue their appeals of the original ruling that recognized Cowichan title to the historic Tl'uqtinus village site.
Premiers Gather in Ottawa for Critical Talks Ahead of CUSMA Trade Negotiations
Canada's provincial and territorial leaders are huddling in the nation's capital for two days of high-stakes discussions as trade tensions with the Trump administration loom large.
With the CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) review process on the horizon, premiers are coordinating their approach to what could be challenging negotiations with Washington.
The economy, affordability issues, and trade strategy are all expected to dominate the agenda as leaders seek to present a united front. The timing is critical—any significant changes to the trade agreement could have profound impacts on Canadian industries, jobs, and economic growth.
These interprovincial meetings have taken on added importance given the unpredictable nature of cross-border relations in recent years.
The premiers will need to balance their individual provincial interests with the need for a coordinated national strategy that protects Canadian economic interests while maintaining the crucial trade relationship with the United States.
Thousands of Federal Government Employees Receive Layoff Warnings Before Policy Review
Thousands of Global Affairs Canada employees are facing an uncertain future after receiving notices warning they may lose their jobs—months before a foreign policy review is even complete.
The union representing these workers is questioning the timing and logic of issuing layoff warnings before the government has finished determining what direction Canadian foreign policy should take in the years ahead.
The situation has created anxiety and uncertainty for employees who work on everything from diplomatic relations to trade negotiations and consular services for Canadians abroad. Critics argue that issuing such warnings prematurely could undermine Canada's foreign service capacity at a time when international relations are increasingly complex and crucial.
The government has yet to provide a detailed explanation for why layoff notices are being distributed before the policy review process concludes, leaving employees and their representatives frustrated and demanding answers about how this decision serves Canada's diplomatic interests.
B.C.'s Own Macklin Celebrini Puts on a Show, Sharks Dominate Canucks 5-2
Vancouver hockey fans got treated to a display of hometown talent on the wrong side of the scoresheet, as B.C.'s Macklin Celebrini lit up Rogers Arena with a four-point night.
The young San Jose Sharks star, who hails from British Columbia, torched his home province's team in a convincing 5-2 victory that had visiting Sharks fans celebrating while Canucks faithful headed for the exits early.
Celebrini's dominant performance came during what's shaping up to be a difficult season for Vancouver, giving local fans a bittersweet reminder of the elite talent the province continues to produce, even when that talent is wearing the wrong jersey.
The Canucks will look to bounce back when they host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night, hoping to find some answers to their current struggles. For Celebrini, it was another statement game in what's becoming an impressive young career, proving that sometimes the best revenge is success, especially when it comes on home ice.
What did you think?
Help us improve! Take a quick 60-second survey to share your thoughts on this article.
Take the Survey