Bon matin, mes amis! It's a cloudy Friday in Langley with the temperature sitting around 15°C and a roughly 50/50 chance of rain through the afternoon. Saturday and Sunday should bring brighter skies and highs near 20°C, making this a good weekend to get outside.
Today brings Social Streets to Linwood Park from 3 to 8 p.m., and the park's newly opened covered areas mean the forecast does not need to keep you home. salishan Place by the River also opens its new "Langley: Many Voices, Shared Place" exhibit this weekend with free admission on Saturday and Sunday.
In civic news, Township council voted 5-4 to keep the speed limit at 30 km/h at Murrayville's Five Corners roundabout, while Bell Park in Brookswood reopened this week after a $235,000 accessibility upgrade. A new TransLink report finds bus delays cost the region $115 million a year, with Langley City among the municipalities adding bus lanes to push back against congestion.
Beyond Langley, we look at Premier Eby and Prime Minister Carney's plan to convert unsold B.C. condos into rent-to-own housing, and at federal cuts to higher-level English classes that are reshaping newcomer futures in Abbotsford. And the Vancouver Giants have brought back Michael Dyck as head coach and GM, fresh off a Calder Cup championship with the Toronto Marlies.
Social Streets returns to Linwood Park today
Langley City is hosting a Social Streets event at Linwood Park this afternoon from 3 to 8 p.m., and the rain in the forecast is no reason to stay home.
The park's new covered areas, which opened earlier this week, will keep attendees dry while they enjoy music, art, food, and family activities at 201A Street and Michaud Crescent.
The free, family-friendly gathering will also feature information about local programs and services.
Organizers will announce which neighbourhood was chosen to launch the City's first Resilient Neighbourhood Network, an initiative aimed at helping residents build stronger connections and safer communities.
Township Council rejects lower speed limit at Murrayville's Five Corners roundabout
Langley Township council has voted to keep the 30 km/h speed limit at the Five Corners roundabout in Murrayville.
Councillor Barb Martens had proposed lowering the limit to 20 km/h, citing research that pedestrian fatality risk rises by roughly 11 per cent for each additional kilometre per hour of impact speed.
The June 15 motion failed in a 5-4 vote split along slate lines, with Mayor Eric Woodward and the Progress For Langley councillors voting against lowering the speed limit.
Councillor Kim Richter, who supported the motion, said she could only reach 18 km/h while driving the small roundabout recently. The intersection where 216 Street, 48 Avenue, and Old Yale Road converge handles a mix of local, commuter, and truck traffic.
Slower speeds at intersections like this one are widely recognized as a basic tool for protecting pedestrians and cyclists in walkable neighbourhoods.
Bell Park playground reopens with accessibility upgrades
Langley Township has reopened Bell Park in Brookswood after a $235,000 renovation focused on accessibility and inclusive play.
The upgraded playground features a seamless poured-in-place rubber surface and new asphalt pathway, replacing the previous wood mulch to create a barrier-free environment for wheelchairs and strollers.
New equipment includes a wheelchair-transferable bouncer, sensory panels, a communication board supporting multiple forms of learning, a swing bay, and a springer toy.
The site design also added an accessible seating hub with integrated shade, while protecting the park's memorial and mature trees. Additional trees were planted south of the playground for long-term shade.
Mayor Eric Woodward thanked residents for their input on the design, which aims to help children of all abilities develop motor skills and engage in cooperative play.
Bus Delays Cost the Region $115 Million a Year, and Langley Is Part of the Solution
TransLink says traffic congestion slows buses enough to cost the agency about $115 million a year in extra service hours.
The figure comes from TransLink's 2025 Bus Speed and Reliability Report, which found the region could expand bus service by 13 per cent if all delays were eliminated.
To address the problem, TransLink has been working with municipalities to install bus lanes, queue-jumper lanes, and other priority measures along the frequent transit network.
Recent wins include bus lanes on Scott Road that cut travel times by 20 per cent between Scott Road SkyTrain and Newton, and Highway 99 ramp queue-jumpers that sped up routes by 30 per cent.
Langley City has added bus lanes on Fraser Highway, 203 Street, and Logan Avenue through the same program.
The share of frequent transit routes with bus priority measures has grown from 9 per cent in 2018 to 17 per cent today, with another funding intake planned for this fall. Giving buses room to move past traffic is one of the most cost-effective transit investments available, paying for itself through reinvested service hours.
New Exhibit at salishan Place by the River Opens with Free Admission This Weekend
salishan Place by the River in the Township of Langley is opening a new exhibit this weekend called "Langley: Many Voices, Shared Place," with free admission on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28.
The exhibit explores the layered histories of the Langley area, a fitting project for a space rooted in telling stories that centre the people and lands of this region.
It is a welcome chance to engage with local history beyond the usual settler-colonial narratives and to reflect on whose voices have shaped this community.
Federal Language Class Cuts Reshaping Newcomer Futures in Abbotsford
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's decision to slash funding for higher-level English language classes is hitting newcomers in Abbotsford and across the Fraser Valley hard, according to a report from Archway Community Services.
The cuts eliminate pathways that allow immigrants to develop the English skills needed for meaningful employment and full community participation. Without access to advanced language training, newcomers are more likely to be funnelled into precarious, low-wage work.
Language services are foundational public infrastructure for immigrant communities. Cutting them does not reduce immigration; it simply ensures that people who are already here have fewer tools to build stable lives.
The federal government's austerity approach to settlement services stands in stark contrast to its rhetoric about welcoming newcomers.
Unsold B.C. Condos Could Become Rent-to-Own Housing, But Who Really Benefits?
Premier David Eby and Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans Thursday to convert unsold condominiums across B.C. into rent-to-own housing, framing the initiative as an affordability measure rather than a developer bailout.
The plan raises important questions about who is actually being rescued here. B.C.'s condo glut exists because developers overbuilt luxury units that working people cannot afford, and now governments are stepping in to absorb that risk with public dollars.
Eby has said the program will not aid City of Vancouver developers specifically, but the broader mechanism still channels public resources toward an industry that has profited enormously from the housing crisis.
Whether rent-to-own units will be priced within reach of renters earning median incomes, and whether the program includes meaningful affordability covenants, will determine if this is a genuine housing intervention or a bailout dressed in progressive language.
Vancouver Giants Bring Back Michael Dyck as Head Coach and GM
The Vancouver Giants, who play their home games at Langley Events Centre, have announced the return of Michael Dyck as both head coach and general manager, making him the first person in franchise history to hold both roles.
Dyck comes back to Langley fresh off a Calder Cup championship with the AHL's Toronto Marlies. He previously coached the Giants from 2018 to 2023, guiding them to the 2019 WHL Championship Series.
The Lethbridge, Alberta native has deep roots with the organization, having served in various roles since 2002. His international resume includes gold medals at the 2022 World Juniors and 2021 Men's World Championship.
Season tickets for the 2026-27 campaign are on sale now.
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