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Happy Friday, friends!
Langley woke up to overcast skies and a chilly 8°C this Friday morning, with rain expected throughout the day.
This morning's roundup brings news of holiday lights returning to Williams Park, Martini Town's festive transformation, and the Langley Seniors Resource Society's packed schedule of wellness clinics and their Saturday craft market.
On the political front, we're tracking the federal government's troubling consideration of exemptions to BC's oil tanker moratorium, while former MLA Adam Olsen makes the case for Indigenous revenue sharing as a path toward reconciliation and regional economic strength.
Holiday Magic Returns to Williams Park with Dazzling Light Display
Get ready to deck the halls and warm up the car—Langley's beloved holiday tradition is making its triumphant return to Williams Park.
The free drive-through light spectacular will feature nearly 200,000 twinkling lights transforming the park into a winter wonderland. Families can cruise through the illuminated displays from the comfort of their vehicles, enjoying festive scenes and cheerful decorations throughout the park.
Registration for the event will be opening soon, and organizers recommend booking early as time slots tend to fill up quickly.
The event has become a cherished annual tradition for Langley residents and visitors alike, offering a magical way to celebrate the holiday season without breaking the bank.
Martini Town Transforms into Holiday Movie Set for Festive Season
Langley's "Hollywood North" is about to get a serious dose of holiday cheer as Martini Town prepares for its annual transformation.
Running from November 21st through December 31st, the popular destination will sparkle with movie-style holiday magic that would make even the Grinch crack a smile.
This year's display promises to be bigger and better, with new characters joining the festive lineup alongside returning favorites. The elaborate decorations and themed displays have made Martini Town a must-visit destination during the holiday season, drawing visitors from throughout the Fraser Valley.
The cinematic approach to holiday décor reflects Langley's proud heritage as a filming location for countless productions, bringing that silver screen magic to the community's seasonal celebrations.
Upcoming Events and Wellness Clinics at Langley Seniors Resource Society
Langley Seniors Resource Society is gearing up for a packed schedule of programs, events, and wellness clinics designed to support the community.
Residents can register for various health services including hearing clinics on Tuesday, December 9th (no appointment necessary), foot care clinics on Thursdays and Fridays, massage therapy on Mondays, and dental clinics on November 24th and December 29th.
Additionally, therapeutic touch sessions will be available on Saturday, December 6th. The organization is also offering caregiver support groups, including a Caregiver & Life Challenges Support Group on Tuesdays and a Dementia Caregiver Support Group on Thursdays, both held in Fort Langley.
Registration is appreciated but not required for the support groups, and interested participants can email SherriM@lsrs.ca for location and time details.
Holiday Craft Market Takes Over LSRS This Saturday
Mark your calendars and get your shopping lists ready—the annual Holiday Craft Market at Langley Seniors Resource Society is happening this Saturday, November 22nd.
Regular Saturday programming will be cancelled to make way for the festive marketplace, which runs from 9:30am to 3pm and features over 30 vendors. Local favorites will be joined by exciting new additions, offering everything from handmade crafts to unique gift items perfect for the holiday season.
Admission is by donation, making it an affordable way to support local artisans and find one-of-a-kind presents.
The Creekside Café will be serving up a special menu for the day, and the in-house Tuk Shop Thrift Boutique is expanding into a larger space for the occasion. Overflow parking will be available at nearby Blacklock Elementary School for those who need it.
Langley City Opens Budget Feedback Process for 2026
Langley City is inviting residents to weigh in on the proposed 2026 budget through multiple feedback opportunities.
Citizens can participate in the budget process by visiting Let's Chat, Langley City, where they can learn about budget details and complete a survey about the proposed spending plan—the survey remains open until December 2nd.
For those who prefer face-to-face interaction, the City is hosting an in-person open house on Wednesday, November 26th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at Langley City Hall, where residents can speak informally with City staff, share feedback, and ask questions about budget priorities.
Additionally, community members who wish to provide formal input can attend the Langley City Council meeting on Monday, December 1st starting at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers at City Hall, where they'll have the opportunity to address council directly about their budget concerns and suggestions.
Surrey Researcher Wins National Award for Revolutionary Blood Pressure Technology
A Simon Fraser University researcher based in Surrey has earned national recognition for developing groundbreaking blood pressure monitoring technology.
The innovation, which earned the prestigious Mitacs Innovation Award, represents a significant advancement in cardiovascular health monitoring and could transform how doctors and patients track this critical vital sign.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions to applied research and innovation that bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications.
The groundbreaking blood pressure monitor addresses limitations in current monitoring technology, potentially offering more accurate, accessible, or user-friendly options for patients managing hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions.
Abbotsford Canucks Bringing the Calder Cup to Fans This Friday
Hockey fans across the Fraser Valley will get a rare opportunity to see—and even touch—championship glory today.
The Abbotsford Canucks are hosting a special pop-up event at Highstreet Shopping Centre featuring the iconic Calder Cup, the trophy awarded annually to the American Hockey League's playoff champion.
The event will take place from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
Fans are invited to get up close and personal with the historic hardware, snap photos, and celebrate the rich tradition of AHL hockey.
The free public event offers a unique chance for supporters to connect with hockey history and share in the excitement of professional sports, even if their team isn't currently hoisting the cup—though that could certainly be motivation for the Canucks' push this season!
BC's 50-Year Oil Tanker Ban Faces Corporate and Conservative Assault
The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act has protected British Columbia's north coast since 2019, but the federal government under Mark Carney is now considering a "limited exemption" at Alberta's demand, threatening to undo over half a century of environmental defense.
The tanker exclusion zone emerged from fears about what an oil spill could mean for the fishing and tourism industries that sustain coastal First Nations communities, with opposition so strong in 1972 that a unanimous parliamentary motion declared tanker traffic "inimical to Canadian interests."
When Enbridge proposed the Northern Gateway pipeline in 2008, near-universal opposition forced its cancellation, with critics warning that a diluted bitumen spill could devastate a region dependent on clean waters.
Now the Carney government's Building Canada Act grants sweeping powers to override environmental reviews and push through projects deemed in the "national interest," while Alberta Premier Danielle Smith spends $14 million to craft a pipeline application without any private sector backing.
Coastal First Nations and Premier David Eby have signed a declaration defending the ban, noting that conservation efforts have generated nearly $2 billion in economic value, while a crude oil spill would mean "generations of lost livelihoods and irreversible ecological damage."
Opinion: Rejecting Zero-Sum Thinking on Indigenous Land Rights
The Cowichan Tribes v. Canada decision has exposed fundamental flaws in BC's land title system, revealing how Crown representatives ignored their own laws during the 19th century gold rush by failing to secure land through purchase or treaty.
Former MLA Adam Olsen argues that reconciliation is not about winners and losers but about confirming the rule of law and moving from legislated exclusion to inclusion.
He proposes a practical solution where First Nations communities like Tsartlip receive revenue shares from land transfer taxes, property taxes, and rezoning gains, which would allow them to invest in childcare facilities, housing, infrastructure, and watershed restoration that benefits entire regions.
The current system forces First Nations to wait for provincial grants while the government collects all revenue from their traditional territories, a model Olsen calls both unjust and economically inefficient compared to direct revenue sharing that would reduce provincial spending and strengthen local economies.
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