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Happy Friday, Langley!
We're looking at mild November weather today with temperatures around 8°C some light rain.
This week brought updates on holiday traditions returning to Williams Park, a new conservative political group eyeing local council seats, and Premier Eby facing a leadership test after the NDP's close call in last year's election.
From festive light displays to Fraser Valley witches celebrating the supermoon, there's plenty happening across our community as we head into the weekend.
Holiday Lights Return to Williams Park for 2025 Season
The Township's beloved holiday tradition is making its return this December, lighting up the community once again.
Holiday Lights in Williams Park will open from December 13 through December 28, running nightly from 5 to 9 pm. The display will be closed on December 24, 25, and 26 to allow families to celebrate at home. Best of all, admission remains completely free for all visitors.
However, there's one important change this year: advance registration is now required to secure your spot. The Township is implementing this system to manage crowd flow and ensure everyone gets a quality experience viewing the festive displays. Drop-ins will not be accepted, so families should plan ahead and register online before heading out.
This popular community event has become a cherished part of Langley Township's holiday calendar, drawing families from across the region to experience the magical light displays in the park setting.
Conservative Political Slate Eyes Langley Council Seats
A new right-wing civic party is recruiting candidates to run in both Langley Township and Langley City in next year's municipal election.
The Conservative Electors Association has registered in 15 B.C. cities so far, with plans to expand to 25 more communities, marking an unprecedented attempt to coordinate conservative slates across the province.
While organizers claim independence from provincial and federal Conservative parties, the group's financial agent previously worked as deputy director for the BC Conservative Party.
Political slates have struggled historically in Langley, with voters repeatedly rejecting coordinated party campaigns between 1999 and 2022, though Progress For Langley currently holds five of nine Township council seats.
Lower Mainland Men's Choir Bringing Holiday Concert to Langley
A regional men's choir is set to perform in Langley this Christmas season, bringing holiday harmonies to the community.
The choir draws its members from communities throughout the Lower Mainland, with singers traveling from various cities to rehearse and perform together. This diverse composition brings together voices from across the Fraser Valley and Metro Vancouver regions, creating a rich and powerful sound.
The group will be presenting a special Christmas-themed performance in Langley, offering residents a chance to experience traditional and contemporary holiday music performed by a dedicated ensemble. Men's choirs have experienced a resurgence in recent years, with groups like this one helping to keep the tradition of male choral singing alive in the region.
Details about the specific performance date, venue, and ticket information will be announced as the event draws closer.
Fraser Valley Witches Gather for Supermoon Celebration
Members of the Fraser Witchery Bog gathered at Derek Doubleday Arboretum to celebrate November's supermoon, though clouds kept the celestial star hidden from view.
The non-denominational spiritual group offers free tarot readings, community healing, and created a queer altar to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ folks and anyone seeking support.
Organizer Theresa Rider brought a telescope that stayed packed away, but the group still enjoyed a night walk through the park to mark the "beaver moon," which appeared 15% brighter and 7% bigger than usual due to its proximity to Earth.
The celebration reflects the growing community of people interested in pagan and mystical practices across the Fraser Valley.
Vancouver Council Faces Record Opposition to Tax-Freeze Budget
Mayor Ken Sim's plan to freeze property taxes sparked massive pushback at city hall, with over 600 residents signing up to speak against the proposed 2026 budget.
The tax freeze means other fees will rise and city services will face cuts, while the police budget gets a 10% boost to $50 million more.
Most speakers slammed the plan as benefiting wealthy homeowners while hurting renters and families, with potential cuts including baby changing tables in public washrooms and increased community centre fees.
Opposition councillors called the overwhelming turnout a "people's filibuster" ahead of next October's municipal election.
Province-Wide Protests Planned Against Old-Growth Logging
Environmental activists are organizing coordinated demonstrations across British Columbia next week, with events planned for communities throughout the province including potentially in the Langley area.
The protests are scheduled for Tuesday, November 18, as part of a coordinated effort to draw attention to ongoing old-growth logging practices in B.C. Organizers are concerned about the continued harvesting of ancient forests despite previous government commitments to protect these irreplaceable ecosystems.
Old-growth forests, some of which contain trees hundreds or even thousands of years old, play crucial roles in carbon storage, biodiversity, and Indigenous cultural practices. The logging of these forests has been a contentious issue in British Columbia for decades, with renewed attention following the Fairy Creek blockades and other high-profile protests in recent years.
The upcoming protests aim to bring the issue directly to communities across the province, rather than just focusing on remote logging sites, in hopes of building broader public support for permanent protection of remaining old-growth forests.
Premier Eby Faces Leadership Review at NDP Convention After Near-Death Election
British Columbia Premier David Eby heads into this weekend's NDP convention facing significantly more scrutiny than when he received overwhelming support two years ago.
In 2023, Eby secured approval from more than 93 per cent of delegates at the party convention, riding high on strong polling numbers and optimism about the party's future. Fast forward to today, and the political landscape looks dramatically different following the October election that nearly toppled the NDP government.
The NDP managed to hold onto power by the slimmest of margins, ultimately winning just 47 seats compared to the BC Conservatives' 44 seats and the Greens' 2 seats.
The result forced Eby to negotiate a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Green Party to maintain government, creating what observers are calling a "shaky coalition."
Party insiders and political analysts will be watching closely to see whether delegates express concerns about Eby's leadership and the party's near-defeat, or whether they rally behind the premier as he attempts to govern with a minority. The leadership review vote at this convention could send important signals about Eby's political future and the party's confidence in his ability to lead them into the next election.
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