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Happy St. Patrick's Day, Langley!
It's a cloudy Tuesday with temperatures hovering around 10°C and a good chance of rain later, so keep that umbrella handy.
Today's roundup has a big mix.
TransLink is finally proposing bus service to Gloucester Industrial Estates, where businesses have been paying millions in transit taxes for nearly two decades with nothing to show for it.
BC Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu has dropped out of the party's leadership race and thrown his support behind Caroline Elliott.
Langley City is rolling out new rec rates that will save teens money and give seniors 80+ a $1 drop-in rate.
On the national stage, the Vatican has returned more than 60 Indigenous artifacts to Canada, though tracing their origins will take years. B.C. lost over 20,000 jobs in February, with young workers hit hardest.
And in hockey, the Langley Rivermen bounced back with a convincing 7-3 win over the Chiefs, while the Abbotsford Canucks weren't so lucky over the weekend.
Transit Coming to Gloucester Industrial Estates After Years Without Service
TransLink is proposing a new bus route along 56 Avenue connecting Gloucester Industrial Estates to Langley Centre. Businesses in the area have paid more than $2.5 million a year in TransLink property taxes for nearly two decades without a single bus stop to show for it.
For workers in the industrial park, the lack of transit has meant driving is the only option, putting an extra financial burden on people already working early shifts and long hours.
Public consultation runs until March 25 at translink.ca/gloucester, with service expected to begin later this year.
Township Mails Separate Utility Statements to Property Owners
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The Township of Langley has rolled out its 2026 flat-rate utility statements to property owners across the community.
This marks the second year of separate utility billing since the system was introduced in 2025. The statements cover annual charges for water, sanitary sewer, and garbage collection services, and importantly, these fees are billed separately from property taxes.
Property owners have until Thursday, July 2 to pay their bills under the extended due date, with multiple payment options available to make the process as convenient as possible for residents.
Abbotsford-Langley MLA Withdraws from Conservative Leadership Race
Harman Bhangu has made the decision to drop out of the BC Conservative Party leadership race.
The Abbotsford-Langley MLA announced his withdrawal and is now throwing his support behind candidate Caroline Elliott. Bhangu's departure from the contest reshapes the dynamics of the leadership race, with his endorsement potentially providing Elliott with additional momentum and support from his base.
The move reflects the often fluid nature of political campaigns, where strategic decisions about when to continue or consolidate support can significantly impact the eventual outcome of leadership contests.
Langley City Announces New Recreation Admission Rates
Starting April 6th, Langley City is implementing changes to admission rates for recreation services that will benefit many residents.
The most significant change merges child and youth rates into a single $3 drop-in rate for ages 4-18, resulting in savings of $1.30 for teens aged 13-18, while those aged 4-12 will see a modest 10¢ increase.
In a move that will delight senior citizens, the City is introducing a special $1 drop-in rate for residents aged 80 and older—a wonderful recognition of this demographic. Adult and senior rates will see modest increases, while 10-visit passes and monthly pass options (1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month) have been updated to reflect the new pricing structure.
The City continues to offer the Leisure Access Program for residents with lower incomes, ensuring recreation remains accessible to all.
Lockdown Lifted at Abbotsford Hospital After Weapon Report
Abbotsford Regional Hospital experienced a tense situation that has since been resolved after reports of a weapon on the premises.
The hospital was placed under lockdown as a precautionary measure while authorities investigated the threat. Law enforcement responded swiftly to the incident, and the situation was brought under control when a suspect was arrested at another location, away from the hospital grounds.
The lockdown has since been lifted, and normal operations have resumed at the facility.
While no injuries were reported, the incident serves as a reminder of the security challenges healthcare facilities can face and the importance of coordinated emergency response protocols.
Vancouver's World Cup Human Rights Plan Draws Sharp Criticism
A coalition including Pivot Legal Society and the BC Civil Liberties Association says Vancouver's draft human rights plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is vague and toothless.
The plan relies on existing laws and offers no new funding or concrete protections for vulnerable residents, including people experiencing homelessness in the Downtown Eastside.
Critics note that other host cities like Dallas have produced far more detailed plans with specific commitments.
With 350,000 tourists expected and matches just months away, the groups are now developing their own resources to fill the gaps.
B.C. Loses 20,200 Jobs in February as Young Workers Hit Hardest
B.C. shed 20,200 jobs last month, including 32,500 full-time positions partially offset by part-time gains.
Workers aged 15 to 24 bore the brunt, accounting for 13,600 of those losses. The unemployment rate held steady at 6.1 per cent, but only because people stopped looking for work or left the province.
Jobs Minister Ravi Kahlon pointed to Trump-driven economic instability, while B.C. Conservative critic Gavin Dew called the steady unemployment rate a sign of "a downward spiral."
Brain Injuries Are Driving Homelessness, and Canada Isn't Ready
More than half of Canada's 60,000 nightly homeless population have experienced a brain injury, most before losing housing.
Cognitive impairments from these injuries make it harder to hold jobs, manage finances, and navigate complex support systems.
Researchers at the University of Victoria say stigma, siloed services, and unaffordable housing deepen the cycle. They point to Bill C-206, a proposed national brain injury strategy, as a critical step forward.
Vatican Returns Indigenous Artifacts to Canada After Decades
More than 60 Indigenous items repatriated from the Vatican have finally arrived back on Canadian soil, marking a significant moment in reconciliation efforts.
However, experts caution that their journey home is just beginning.
The artifacts now face a potentially years-long process to trace their origins and determine which Indigenous communities they belong to.
Many of these items were taken from communities across Canada decades or even centuries ago, and the historical records may be incomplete or difficult to verify.
The repatriation represents an important acknowledgment of past wrongs, but the complex work of reconnecting these cultural treasures with their rightful homes requires careful research, consultation with Indigenous knowledge keepers, and respect for the cultural protocols of multiple nations.
Abbotsford Canucks Face Back-to-Back Losses Over St. Patrick's Weekend
The luck of the Irish was nowhere to be found for the Abbotsford Canucks this past St. Patrick's Day weekend.
The team suffered consecutive defeats in what were their final two matches of a six-game home series, disappointing fans who had hoped for better results on the holiday weekend.
Despite playing on home ice, the Canucks couldn't find the magic needed to turn their fortunes around, with both losses highlighting areas where the team will need to regroup and refocus.
The back-to-back setbacks serve as a reminder that success in professional hockey requires consistency night after night, regardless of the calendar or the color of one's jersey.
Langley Rivermen Bounce Back with Convincing Victory Over Chiefs
The Langley Rivermen put on an impressive performance to resume their winning ways with a decisive 7-3 victory over the Chiefs.
The home team dominated the ice throughout the contest, showcasing the offensive firepower and defensive discipline that has made them a formidable opponent this season.
After a brief stumble in their previous outings, the Rivermen came out hungry and determined, netting seven goals while keeping the Chiefs at bay for most of the evening.
The win provides important momentum as the team looks ahead to the remainder of their schedule.
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