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.
It's a drizzly Wednesday in Langley with light rain and temperatures hovering around 11°C, and forecasters say we should expect more of the same through Friday.
In today's roundup, Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal is pushing back on a provincial bill that would let developers self-inspect construction sites, and the Bank of Canada is set to announce its latest interest rate decision this morning amid economic uncertainty.
A new poll shows two in three Canadians want the country to stay out of the Iran war, while Indigenous leaders are pressing Ottawa to uphold Jay Treaty border-crossing rights.
Closer to home, Adaptive Sports Day is coming to Willoughby Stadium on March 29, Langley City is hosting a free Women's Day Business Expo on Friday, and Elias Pettersson snapped a 20-game goal drought to power the Canucks past Florida.
Langley City Hosts Women's Day Business Expo March 21
Langley City is marking International Women's Day with a free Business and Entrepreneur Expo at City Hall on Friday, March 21.
The event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features morning workshops on starting and growing local businesses, a midday networking session, and an afternoon expo showcasing women-owned and women-led businesses.
A "Village Cafe" running alongside the expo will highlight art, music, food, and community dialogue.
All are welcome to attend at Langley City Hall, located at 20399 Douglas Crescent.
Langley Chess Club Meets Mondays in Brookswood
The Langley Chess Club meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Brookswood Seniors Centre on 36 Ave.
The club holds rated tournaments through the Chess Federation of Canada, with one round played each evening.
The first Monday of every month is open for casual, non-rated play.
More info and upcoming events can be found at langleychess.com or by emailing langleychess@proton.me.
Adaptive Sports Day Comes to Willoughby Stadium March 29
Adaptive sports are programs modified to include people with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.
They remove barriers that can keep people out of traditional athletics.
What started as an adaptive soccer event in Langley has grown into a full Lower Mainland sports festival.
Hosted by NetPositive Football Society and Vancouver FC, Adaptive Sports Day takes place Sunday, March 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Willoughby Stadium (7888 200 St.).
The free event is open to youth and adults and features participation from local soccer clubs, the Vancouver Bandits, Langley Rivermen, and Vancouver Rams.
Events like this build community by creating spaces where disabled athletes and their families can connect, play, and feel welcome.
Registration is open until March 20 at https://forms.gle/wntx2SCFEnDZV9c89.
Langley City Mayor Calls NDP Construction Bill 'Dangerous'
A provincial bill that would stop cities from independently inspecting construction sites passed second reading with full NDP support on March 11.
Bill M216 would force local governments to accept safety submissions from professionals hired by developers, removing municipal oversight.
Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal spoke out against the proposal, noting the city tightened its own inspection rules after a sinkhole opened at a Fraser Highway construction site last year.
More than 70 local governments and six professional associations, including Engineers and Geoscientists BC, have urged the committee to kill the bill.
UBC Research Reveals Artificial Turf Fields Threaten Coho Salmon in Metro Vancouver
A groundbreaking study from the University of British Columbia has uncovered a deadly connection between artificial turf fields and coho salmon deaths in the region.
Researchers discovered that synthetic turf fields across Metro Vancouver are leaching a toxic chemical called 6PPD-quinone into stormwater systems.
This chemical, used in tire rubber often found in artificial turf infill, proves lethal to coho salmon even in small concentrations.
The findings raise serious environmental concerns about the widespread use of artificial turf in sports fields and playgrounds throughout the Lower Mainland, as stormwater runoff carries the toxin directly into salmon-bearing streams and rivers.
Coastal British Columbia Braces for More Rain Through Friday
Another round of wet weather is heading for coastal B.C., bringing concerns about flooding and elevated stream levels across the region.
The central coast has been placed under a flood watch, while the Upper Fraser region is included in a high streamflow advisory as atmospheric moisture continues to drench the province.
Forecasters predict the rainy conditions will persist until Friday, with already saturated ground and swollen waterways increasing the risk of localized flooding.
Residents in affected areas are advised to stay alert, prepare emergency kits, and monitor conditions closely as the weather system moves through the region.
Archway Community Services Volunteer Shares Journey Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Foundry
For two years, high school student Alyssa has dedicated herself to raising mental health awareness as a Foundry Abbotsford ambassador.
Drawing on her own experiences with mental health challenges, Alyssa volunteers her time to ensure fellow students know where to turn when they need support.
As a Foundry Ambassador, a program delivered in partnership with School District #34, she hosts informational booths, delivers classroom presentations, and speaks at school assemblies.
Now graduating a year early, Alyssa reflects on how volunteering has strengthened her confidence and deepened her understanding of mental health. "Before, mental health felt like such a big, scary topic.
Now I know it's okay to not be okay," she shared, crediting the experience with preparing her for future advocacy work in family law.
Bank of Canada Interest Rate Decision Looms Amid Middle East Conflict and Economic Uncertainty
The Bank of Canada is set to announce its latest interest rate decision this morning as it navigates a clouded economic outlook.
Central bank officials are weighing multiple factors including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on global markets and inflation.
Economists and Canadians alike are watching closely to see whether the bank will hold rates steady, cut them to stimulate growth, or raise them to combat inflation.
The decision comes at a critical juncture as households continue to grapple with affordability challenges while the broader economy shows mixed signals of strength and vulnerability.
Indigenous Nations Fight for Free Movement Across Canada-U.S. Border
The 1794 Jay Treaty recognized Indigenous peoples' right to cross the Canada-U.S. border freely, but Canada never brought that right into law.
The U.S. did, allowing some Canadian-born Indigenous people to live, work, and study there without being treated as immigrants.
But Canada still processes U.S.-born Indigenous people under standard immigration rules.
The Jay Treaty Border Alliance is pushing both governments to fix the gap, with new urgency as heightened ICE enforcement raises the risk of Indigenous travellers being racially profiled and mistakenly targeted at the border.
Two in Three Canadians Say Canada Should Stay Out of Iran War
A new Leger poll finds 58% of Canadians oppose the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with two-thirds saying Canada should remain neutral.
Conservative voters were the most hawkish, with 45% backing the U.S. and Israel, compared to just 18% of Liberal voters.
Canadians are far more worried about the war's economic fallout than the conflict itself.
A full 91% said they are concerned about rising gas and grocery prices, while 82% fear a global recession and job losses.
Pettersson's Two-Goal Performance Powers Canucks to 5-2 Victory Over Panthers
Elias Pettersson erupted for two goals as the Vancouver Canucks dominated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in impressive fashion.
The performance was particularly significant as the centre snapped a grueling 20-game goal-scoring drought that had plagued his season.
"He's changed his whole mindset," noted observers, praising Pettersson's renewed work ethic and focus.
The difficult season for both Pettersson and the Canucks appeared to turn a corner with Tuesday night's convincing win, as the star player rediscovered his scoring touch at a crucial point in the campaign.
What did you think?
Help us improve! Take a quick 60-second survey to share your thoughts on this article.
Take the Survey