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Good morning, Langley!
With showers expected throughout the day and temperatures reaching 13°C, Langley residents have plenty to catch up on this Wednesday.
The Township has formalized a friendship agreement with a South Korean city, the Aldergrove Legion is preparing for its annual Remembrance Day ceremony, and Langley City has extended its popular fall yard waste collection program through the end of November.
Meanwhile, the Vancouver Giants added a promising young goaltender to their roster, and Prime Minister Carney's controversial first budget is sparking heated debate across the country.
Township of Langley Forms International Friendship with South Korean City
The Township of Langley has officially established a friendship city relationship with Gwangyang City in the Republic of Korea, marking a significant step in international municipal diplomacy.
The agreement was signed at the Langley Events Centre in a formal ceremony, setting the stage for cultural exchange and cooperation between the two communities.
This partnership aims to promote mutual understanding and friendship between citizens of both regions through various exchange programs and collaborative initiatives.
The relationship is expected to create opportunities for educational exchanges, business partnerships, and cultural events that will benefit residents of both Langley Township and Gwangyang City.
Township officials are enthusiastic about the potential for this friendship agreement to open doors for youth exchanges, business development opportunities, and cultural celebrations that showcase both Korean and Canadian traditions.
Aldergrove Legion Gearing Up for Community Remembrance Day Ceremony
The Aldergrove Legion is preparing to welcome the community for its annual Remembrance Day parade and ceremony on November 11th, bringing together veterans, first responders, and residents to honour those who served.
This year's ceremony will feature the RCMP pipe band, local cadets, and community members marching together in a show of respect and remembrance. The event provides an important opportunity for the Aldergrove community to gather and pay tribute to Canadian veterans and active service members.
Local residents are encouraged to attend and show their support for the men and women who have served Canada in times of war and peace. The Legion has been organizing these ceremonies for decades, maintaining the tradition of remembrance that ensures the sacrifices of Canadian military personnel are never forgotten.
Langley City Extends Fall Yard Waste Collection Pilot Program
Langley City Council has approved extending the extra yard waste collection pilot program through November 30th, giving residents additional time to dispose of fall leaves and garden debris.
The pilot program, which originally ran from October 6 to October 31, allows residents to place extra yard waste in paper bags beside their regular 240-litre organics carts. The extension comes as a relief to homeowners dealing with the peak of autumn leaf drop, particularly in neighbourhoods with larger properties like Uplands/Mossey Estates and the Simonds area west of 200th Street.
City staff will be collecting data throughout the pilot to determine whether the extra collection service should become a permanent fixture—and if so, whether it should run in both fall and spring seasons.
Council will also need to decide on the program's funding structure, including whether all residents receiving city collection services would pay for it, or only those who actually use the extra yard waste pickup service.
For this year, the program's costs are being absorbed into the existing city budget, with approximately 3,600 addresses receiving the service.
Vancouver Giants Add Talented Young Goaltender to Development Roster
The Vancouver Giants have signed 16-year-old goaltender Oliver Bryks to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, adding another promising prospect to the organization's pipeline.
Bryks, who hails from Edmonton, was selected by the Giants in the 12th round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft and has already shown impressive credentials at the junior level. The 6-foot-3 netminder posted a .916 save percentage and 2.63 goals-against average with the U18 AAA Edmonton Jr. Oilers last season, demonstrating the kind of potential that excites scouts.
Giants General Manager Hnat Domenichelli praised Bryks as an "elite goaltender with a bright future ahead," expressing excitement about his continued development within the organization.
Bryks made one preseason appearance for Vancouver, stopping 23 of 24 shots in 27 minutes against Kamloops, and is currently playing for Delta Hockey Academy's U18 Prep team where he's posted a 3-1-0 record.
In his draft year, Bryks helped backstop Northern Alberta Xtreme (NAX) to a U15 Prep Championship in the CSSHL with an impressive .927 save percentage, earning recognition as the U15 Prep Top Goaltender—an accomplishment that caught the Giants' attention and led to his selection in the draft.
Archway LINC Program Helps Newcomers Find Their Voice in Canada
Learning a new language in a new country is no small feat, but the Archway Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program is making that journey a little easier for hundreds of local residents.
The program has seen enrollment skyrocket by more than 50% in just three years, growing from just over 1,000 learners in 2022-2023 to more than 1,600 in 2024-2025. LINC doesn't just teach English—it provides comprehensive cultural orientation covering everything from housing and employment to rights and education in Canada, giving newcomers the tools they need to truly integrate into their new community.
One of the program's most appreciated features is free childcare offered four days per week for children aged 1-5, removing a significant barrier for parents who might otherwise be unable to attend classes. LINC Supervisor Cindy Buhler notes that students frequently express gratitude for this service, which makes education accessible to families who need it most.
The program also builds community through events like its annual picnic potluck at Mill Lake, where students share dishes from their home countries and practice social skills in a relaxed setting. As LINC teacher Marianne Yanes-Pawlowski eloquently puts it, these relationships are "built in classrooms first," but it's at community events where newcomers learn to apply the practical "rules of the road" for life in Canada.
BC Roller Derby League Crushes Fundraising Goals at Regional Tournament
The NWO Roller Derby Association hosted its annual Daze of Derby tournament and exceeded all expectations, surpassing its fundraising target while showcasing some serious athletic talent.
Sixteen teams from across Canada and the United States descended on the region for the competition, bringing together roller derby enthusiasts for a weekend of hard-hitting action on wheels.
The tournament not only provided thrilling entertainment but also raised significant funds for the league's ongoing operations and community programs.
Roller derby has been experiencing a resurgence in British Columbia, with the sport attracting athletes who appreciate its combination of athleticism, strategy, and inclusive community culture.
The successful tournament demonstrates the growing popularity of the sport in the Fraser Valley and across the Pacific Northwest.
Vancouver Rise Take 2-1 Lead Over Ottawa in NSL Semifinal
Latifah Abdu netted two first-half goals to give the Vancouver Rise a 2-1 advantage over Ottawa Rapid FC in the opening leg of their Northern Super League semifinal on Tuesday.
Ottawa's Delaney Pridham, who led the league with 19 goals in the regular season, scored her first playoff goal in the second half to keep her team within striking distance heading into Saturday's return leg at TD Place.
The winner will face either AFC Toronto or the Montreal Roses in the championship match on November 15 at BMO Field, where the first champion in Canadian women's professional soccer will be crowned.
Carney's Contradictory Budget: Big Spending Meets Deep Cuts
Prime Minister Mark Carney's first budget presents a jarring mix of aggressive spending and severe austerity, leaving Canadians to wonder if he's hit a home run or struck out entirely.
The plan includes $141 billion in new spending over five years alongside a staggering $78-billion deficit, while simultaneously slashing 40,000 federal jobs and cutting department budgets by 15 percent.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has already vowed to vote against what he calls a "costly Liberal budget," while the NDP remains the government's best hope for survival in a minority Parliament where passage is far from guaranteed.
Historic US Government Shutdown Could Disrupt Canadian Travel Plans
The longest US government shutdown in history is now creating potential headaches for Canadians planning to travel south of the border.
As the impasse between Republicans and Democrats in Washington drags on without resolution, travel experts are warning that airport security lines could become significantly longer and border processing times may increase substantially.
While essential services like border security remain operational during shutdowns, they're often staffed at reduced levels with employees working without pay.
The shutdown affects everything from national parks to passport processing offices, creating uncertainty for Canadian tourists and business travelers who frequently cross the border.
Travel industry experts recommend that Canadians heading to the United States build extra time into their travel plans and prepare for possible delays at airports and border crossings until Congress and the President can reach an agreement to reopen the federal government.
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