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Good morning, Langley!
Today brings partly cloudy skies with temperatures reaching 15°C and maybe a bit of rain throughout the day. This edition of the Langley Roundup covers everything from Langley City Council's push for homelessness resources to Vancouver's sports victories, plus troubling budget cuts hitting parks and public services across the region.
Langley City Council Tackles Homelessness, Traffic Safety, and Invasive Species
Langley City Council unanimously voted to pursue HEART & HEARTH community designation, which would unlock provincial resources to address the city's position as Metro Vancouver's third-highest unhoused population.
Council also decided to hold off on speed limit reductions until after adopting a new Transportation Plan later this year, while maintaining the current traffic calming policy that requires just 10 resident signatures to trigger action.
Meanwhile, the European Chafer Beetle's destruction of local grass and ongoing litter problems were referred to environmental committees for further study.
Port Kells Art Club Brings Fall Showcase to Fort Langley
Local artists are displaying their talents at the Port Kells Art Club Fall Art Show, currently running in Fort Langley.
The exhibition is taking place at the Fort Langley Community Hall, located at 9167 Glover Road, providing a perfect venue for art lovers to browse works from talented regional creators.
The show features a diverse collection of pieces that capture the essence of the season and the artistic vision of club members.
It's another example of the vibrant arts community that calls the Fraser Valley home. Whether you're a serious collector or just appreciate beautiful artwork, this show offers something for everyone.
Langley Resident Recalls the Dawn of SkyTrain Era
Diane Gendron was there when Metro Vancouver's iconic rapid transit system first rolled into service.
The Langley resident has vivid memories of SkyTrain's early days, witnessing firsthand the transformation of the region's transportation landscape. Her recollections provide a fascinating glimpse into how the automated rail system changed the way people moved around the Lower Mainland.
From the excitement and skepticism of those early days to the system's evolution into an essential piece of regional infrastructure, Gendron's perspective offers valuable historical context. It's a reminder of how far the region has come in terms of public transit development.
UFV's Lost Campus Pub: Students Remember the Community That Vanished
UFV's campus pub, AfterMath Social House, closed in 2016 after years of financial struggles, taking with it a vital community hub where students gathered, hosted concerts, and built connections beyond the classroom.
The pub, previously known as Casey's on Campus, was more than just a place to drink.
It hosted Juno award winners, supported CIVL radio's music programming, and even helped UFV rank third in a CBC contest for best campus music scene in Canada.
Now, with rising costs making nightlife venues financially unsustainable across Abbotsford and students facing limited late-night transit options, the prospect of reviving campus nightlife remains distant despite the community connections it once fostered.
Vancouver Park Board Faces $30 Million in Cuts Despite Mayor's Promise
Vancouver's independent park board commissioners are sounding the alarm over what they say amounts to $30 million in cuts to the 2026 budget, despite Mayor Ken Sim's pledge of no service reductions.
The cuts would hit a park system where 72 percent of recreation facilities are already in poor or very poor condition, including the Vancouver Aquatic Centre which closed indefinitely after its ceiling literally fell into the pool.
ABC Vancouver commissioners accused their colleagues of "fear mongering," but the math tells a different story.
The park board faces $15 million in direct cuts, must generate $8.9 million in new revenue through higher user fees and parking charges, and must return a $4.5 million surplus to city coffers, all while the mayor funnels a 10 percent budget increase to police.
Canada's Austerity Budget vs. New York's Bold Vision: A Tale of Two Futures
Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney released a federal budget that cuts $58 billion from public services while offering tax breaks for yacht buyers and slashing pensions for disabled RCMP officers. Additionally, the government is refusing to increase taxes on the ultra-rich who pay half the effective tax rate of average Canadians.
A few hours later, New York City elected Zohran Mamdani as mayor on a platform of rent freezes, free transit, and universal childcare, proving that bold, working-class politics can defeat billionaire-funded opposition and inspire record voter turnout.
While Canadians face a choice between fast or slow austerity from parties offering no real material improvements to everyday life, Mamdani's victory shows what's possible when politicians dare to center working people's needs over corporate profits and actually get caught trying to make life affordable.
Vancouver Rise Book Finals Berth After Dramatic Shootout Victory
The Vancouver Rise are heading to the inaugural Northern Super League final after goalkeeper Morgan McAslan saved two penalties in a thrilling shootout win over Ottawa Rapid on Saturday.
McAslan stopped crucial spot kicks in both the fifth and sixth rounds, with Sofia Hagman converting the decisive penalty to seal the victory.
The Rise dominated possession and chances throughout the match, and Holly Ward's 85th-minute equalizer forced extra time after Ottawa had led 2-0 in the second leg, setting up the dramatic finish that sends Vancouver to the November 15th final.
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