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Good morning, friends!
Langley is looking at a mix of sun and cloud today with temperatures reaching 7°C, perfect weather for getting out to stretch your legs for a quick walk or bike ride!
Today's roundup covers transit readiness updates in Langley City, environmental concerns on the Fraser River, community board opportunities in Fort Langley, and a bridal education event at a locally owned boutique.
We're also tracking developments in Canada-China relations under the Carney government, the tragic anniversary of Flight PS752, and growing concerns about climate misinformation as wildfire season approaches.
Fort Langley Community Association Seeks Fresh Perspectives for Board Positions
The Fort Langley Community Association is putting out the call for community-minded residents to join their board of directors.
As the organization prepares for its Annual General Meeting on February 10th, 2026, they're actively recruiting new voices and fresh ideas to help guide the historic village's future.
This is an opportunity for anyone passionate about Fort Langley to get directly involved in supporting the heart of the community and leading meaningful projects that impact residents' daily lives.
Board members play a crucial role in shaping initiatives, events, and policies that maintain Fort Langley's unique character while addressing modern needs.
The association welcomes applications from anyone who wants to make a tangible difference in their village.
Langley City Making Progress on SkyTrain Readiness with Multiple Planning Initiatives
Langley City is checking off its to-do list as the Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension inches closer to reality.
The municipality has been working on multiple fronts to ensure the community is ready for rapid transit, including updating its Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to support transit-oriented development.
Work continues on the Glover Road Innovation District Plan, which aims to create good jobs near future SkyTrain stations while supporting the city's Food Tech Hub strategy.
A new Transportation Plan is also in the works to improve walking and cycling connections to SkyTrain, though this project has slipped slightly from a 2025 to 2026 completion date.
Additionally, a Parking Strategy is being developed to manage on-street parking demand near stations.
TransLink recently highlighted the Fraser Highway One-Way Revitalization Project as a prime example of Langley City's commitment to creating pedestrian-friendly infrastructure that will complement the SkyTrain extension.
Fraser River tops B.C.'s "most endangered rivers" list
The section of the Fraser River between Mission and Hope has once again been named one of B.C.'s most endangered waterways.
Urban sprawl and industrial development continue threatening the area that serves as a nursery for millions of salmon and sturgeon, despite recent conservation wins like the Nature Conservancy's purchase of Carey Island.
The Cowichan River on Vancouver Island shares top billing, facing climate-driven low flows that threaten fish survival and water quality.
Everything But The Groom to host wedding dress workshop for newly engaged couples on January 27
Langley boutique Everything But The Groom is offering newly engaged brides expert guidance before they start dress shopping.
Owner Heidi, who brings over 20 years of bridal industry experience, will lead "The Gown Lowdown" seminar on January 27th at 6 PM, covering timelines, budgeting, sizing, alterations, and current trends with live models and an in-house seamstress.
The $10 event supports a locally owned Fraser Highway business that has served the Langley community for two decades, helping brides feel confident and informed before stepping into what can be an overwhelming shopping process.
Fuel Company's Wrong-Turn Mistake Dumps 786 Litres of Diesel on Campbell River Horse Farm
A fuel delivery driver pumped diesel into a water truck at the wrong property near Campbell River, spilling 786 litres onto the ground at a horse farm.
The driver had connected to the farm's water truck, which supplies drinking water for showjumping horses and arena watering, then wandered off looking for cell reception while the diesel poured out through open valves left that way to prevent freezing.
AFD Petroleum's emergency crew responded overnight with containment booms, and the Ministry of Environment is monitoring cleanup efforts after confirming no diesel reached nearby waterways.
End of an Era: Archway's 50-Year Recycling Legacy Concludes in Abbotsford and Mission
After more than five decades of operation, Archway Community Services has handed over recycling depot operations to a new contractor, marking the end of a remarkable chapter in Fraser Valley history.
While the Abbotsford Mission Recycling Depot itself remains open under new management by Emterra Group, Archway's involvement concluded on December 31, 2025, bringing closure to a program that was far more than just an environmental initiative.
Since the early 1970s, the program provided meaningful employment to people facing barriers to traditional work—including individuals with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, and those navigating mental health or addiction challenges.
At its peak, the operation processed over 10,000 tonnes of material annually while employing 62 staff members, many of whom worked there for decades.
The transition has been bittersweet, with Archway successfully helping more than half of the affected workers find new employment, though concerns remain for long-term employees like Chad, who worked there for 30 years, and Donn, who relied on the job for 25 years to support himself and his mother.
The program leaves behind a legacy of inclusion, dignity, and environmental stewardship that touched countless lives.
Flight PS752 Families Gather to Mark Six Years Since Iran Tragedy
Six years after Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 was shot down over Iran, families of the victims are gathering to remember their loved ones and continue their fight for justice.
Memorial events are being held in Ontario and Alberta to commemorate the 176 people who died when Iranian military forces mistakenly shot down the civilian aircraft shortly after takeoff from Tehran on January 8, 2020.
Many of the victims had connections to Canada, including students, academics, and families returning home after holiday visits. The tragedy devastated communities across Canada, particularly affecting Iranian-Canadian families and university communities where many of the victims studied or worked.
Despite Iran's admission of responsibility and promises of accountability, families continue to push for a full investigation and compensation.
The anniversary serves as both a day of mourning and renewed determination to ensure the victims are not forgotten.
Carney's Upcoming Meeting with Xi Jinping Sparks Debate Over Canada-China Relations
Prime Minister Mark Carney's planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping is generating considerable discussion about Canada's diplomatic approach to China in an evolving global landscape.
Critics, including former Hong Kong pro-democracy legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip, are urging caution, with Chan having previously accused the Chinese government of "crimes against humanity" in relation to its treatment of dissidents.
The meeting comes at a complex time in Canada-China relations, with ongoing tensions over human rights, trade, and geopolitical positioning.
Observers are closely watching how Carney will navigate the delicate balance between economic interests and human rights concerns. Some worry that economic incentives might overshadow critical discussions about democratic values and human rights abuses.
The meeting's outcomes could signal Canada's diplomatic direction in dealing with China amid a shifting new global political order.
Climate Misinformation Becomes a National Security Threat as Wildfire Season Approaches
False claims during Canada's recent wildfire crises delayed evacuations and undermined public trust in emergency warnings, turning misinformation into a direct threat to public safety.
Research shows people often rely on lived experience and social cues over official information, creating vulnerabilities that hostile actors and conspiracy theorists exploit during disasters.
Canada has invested billions in firefighting capacity, flood defenses, and energy infrastructure but still treats misinformation as secondary.
No single agency coordinates responses to false narratives, which spread faster on social media than official corrections can counter them.
Abbotsford Canucks Swept in Home Series Amid Growing Injury Concerns
The Abbotsford Canucks are licking their wounds after a disappointing home sweep by the Bakersfield Condors this week.
The team dropped back-to-back games on Tuesday and Wednesday, falling 5-3 and 4-1 respectively, as mounting injury issues continue to plague the roster.
The losses came in front of their home crowd at Abbotsford Centre, making the defeats all the more frustrating for fans and players alike. The injury bug has been biting hard, leaving the coaching staff scrambling to find effective line combinations.
With key players sidelined, the Canucks are struggling to maintain the consistency needed to compete at a high level in the AHL.
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