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Hello, friends!
It's been a rainy day in Langley, but there's plenty of news to brighten things up.
Today's roundup brings heartwarming community stories from Halloween celebrations and Remembrance Day tributes, along with important local government decisions and major national political developments that are reshaping Parliament and testing the limits of Charter rights protections.
Langley Seniors Get in the Halloween Spirit with Adorable Dog Costume Parade
Residents at a local seniors building in Langley gathered to celebrate Halloween in the most pawsitively delightful way possibleâwith a dog costume parade that brought smiles all around.
The event showcased furry friends dressed in their Halloween finest, from spooky ghosts to adorable pumpkins. It's heartwarming to see community members coming together to create joy and laughter, especially for seniors who might otherwise miss out on holiday festivities.
The costume parade has become a beloved tradition at the residence, providing entertainment and companionship for both the human residents and their four-legged friends. Events like these demonstrate the importance of community connections and the special bond between seniors and their pets.
Indoor Trick-or-Treating Saves Halloween for Langley Kids
Mother Nature tried to rain on Langley's Halloween parade, but the local mall came to the rescue with indoor trick-or-treating that kept the holiday spirit alive.
While torrential rain poured down outside, children were able to collect candy and enjoy Halloween festivities in the dry comfort of the shopping center. Mall merchants opened their doors to young trick-or-treaters, ensuring that bad weather didn't spoil the fun.
The initiative proved to be a win-win for everyone involvedâkids got their candy haul without getting soaked, parents didn't have to worry about wet costumes and colds, and local businesses enjoyed increased foot traffic. It's a clever solution that other communities might want to keep in their back pocket for future rainy Halloweens.
Langley Volunteers Spread Remembrance Day Cheer to Local Veterans
The Langley Volunteer Bureau is ensuring that local veterans and seniors feel appreciated this Remembrance Day season with a heartfelt card-writing campaign.
Volunteers have been crafting personalized notes and artwork to send to veterans throughout the community, expressing gratitude for their service and sacrifice. The initiative aims to combat loneliness among seniors and veterans while honoring their contributions to our country.
In a world that often moves too fast, these simple gestures of kindness carry profound meaning for recipients who may not have family nearby. The handwritten cards serve as tangible reminders that their service hasn't been forgotten and that their community cares about them.
This is the kind of grassroots community action that makes Langley specialâneighbors looking out for neighbors and ensuring no one is left behind during important occasions.
Langley City Council Approves Pharmacy Exception for Medical Clinic
Langley City Council is moving forward with a zoning bylaw amendment that would allow a medical clinic to operate an in-house pharmacy despite existing distance requirements between pharmacies.
The rezoning application for a clinic at 20334 56 Avenue seeks an exemption to the city's 400-metre pharmacy separation rule, which was implemented about a decade ago when Downtown Langley had perhaps a few too many pharmacies competing for business.
This particular case is different, though. The proposed pharmacy would be integrated into a comprehensive medical care facility rather than operating as a standalone retail pharmacy.
The approximately 900-square-foot pharmacy would exclusively service the clinic's patients, supporting their model of comprehensive care under one roof.
Council gave first and second readings to the bylaw update, and there will be an opportunity for public input at the next regular meeting before final approval.
Council also finalized the amended 2025 financial plan and reappointed representatives to the Metro Vancouver Regional District Board and Fraser Valley Regional Library Board, maintaining continuity with last year's appointments.
Three Heroes Honored for Rescue Attempt at Maple Ridge Lake Drowning
RCMP recognized three individuals, Indiana Gerard, Chloe He, and Sophia Jasemianaasl, for their brave efforts to save a man who fell from a paddle board at a Maple Ridge lake.
The three didn't hesitate when they witnessed the emergency, immediately jumping into action to try to rescue the drowning man. Despite their courageous efforts, the man tragically could not be saved, but their willingness to risk their own safety to help a stranger deserves recognition.
The formal acknowledgment by RCMP serves as an important reminder that heroism isn't always measured by the outcome, but by the willingness to act when others are in danger. These three individuals exemplified the kind of community spirit and courage that makes the Fraser Valley special.
Their actions also highlight the importance of water safety awareness and the risks associated with paddle boarding, especially for those who may not be strong swimmers or aren't wearing proper flotation devices.
Supreme Court to Decide Fate of B.C. Ostrich Farm Fighting Cull Order
The fate of a flock of ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., now rests in the hands of Canada's highest court after more than 10 months of legal battles.
The Supreme Court of Canada is set to announce whether it will hear the farm's final appeal against a government cull order issued following an avian flu outbreak. The farm has been fighting tooth and nailâor perhaps beak and talonâto save their birds from mandatory destruction.
The saga has been an unusual one, even spawning an "Ostrichfest" as the community rallied around the farm's cause.
What started as a public health measure to contain avian influenza has evolved into a complex legal battle about property rights, animal welfare, and government authority.
If the Supreme Court declines to hear the appeal, the cull order will stand and the birds' days will be numbered. It's a high-stakes decision that could set precedents for how disease outbreaks are handled on farms across Canada.
NDP Leadership Candidate Avi Lewis Calls for Public Ownership to Fight Cost of Living Crisis
Documentarian and activist Avi Lewis is running for NDP leadership with a bold platform centered on creating publicly owned alternatives to combat corporate price gouging in groceries, telecom, transit, and housing.
The grandson of NDP co-founder David Lewis argues that market failures have made basic necessities "unspeakably expensive" and that government intervention through public options is essential to address what he calls the "cost-of-living emergency" fueling right-wing populism.
Lewis proposes transforming Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation into a public developer with unionized construction companies to build co-op and non-profit housing at scale, along with a national network of free electric public transit using Canadian steel and workers.
His campaign represents a rejection of conventional political caution, releasing detailed policy proposals early while criticizing both Mark Carney's Liberal government for "governing as a conservative" and the shrinking seven-member NDP caucus for punching above its weight in holding the line against austerity measures that could deepen a looming recession.
Supreme Court to Hear Challenge of Saskatchewan's Anti-Trans School Policy
The Supreme Court of Canada has agreed to hear appeals challenging Saskatchewan's discriminatory pronoun law, which requires schools to out transgender and gender-diverse youth to their parents without consent.
The case, brought by UR Pride after Premier Scott Moe's government passed the policy in 2023, will examine whether the province's use of the notwithstanding clause to shield the law from Charter scrutiny is constitutional.
This marks a critical moment for LGBTQ+ rights in Canada, as the court will determine if governments can bypass fundamental protections for vulnerable youth by invoking the override clause.
The case will be heard alongside a similar Quebec challenge, representing the first time since 1988 the Supreme Court will consider limits on the notwithstanding clause's power to circumvent Charter rights.
Conservative MP Defects to Liberals, Tipping Balance Closer to Majority
Nova Scotia MP Chris d'Entremont has crossed the floor from Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberal government, shifting the precarious balance of power in Parliament.
The defection reduces the Liberals' path to majority by one crucial seat, moving them from three votes shy to just two seats away from controlling the House of Commons outright.
D'Entremont, who won his riding by only 533 votes and previously expressed frustration with Poilievre's campaign strategy in Atlantic Canada, cited the 2025 federal budget's focus on community infrastructure and economic growth as his reason for switching allegiances.
The move significantly improves the odds of the Liberal budget passing and represents a major blow to Poilievre's opposition, with Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer dismissing the defection as stemming from "personal grievances" over d'Entremont's failed Speaker bid.
Bertuzzi's Hat Trick Spoils Canucks' Home Ice in 5-2 Loss to Chicago
Tyler Bertuzzi played the role of party crasher at Rogers Arena, potting three goals to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 5-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks.
The hat trick performance was particularly sweet for Bertuzzi, who showed his former home crowd exactly what they've been missing. The Canucks struggled to contain the Blackhawks' offense all evening, with defensive breakdowns leading to quality scoring chances that Chicago capitalized on.
Vancouver's offense couldn't generate enough sustained pressure to mount a comeback, managing only two goals against a Chicago team that came in with defensive question marks of its own. The loss is a frustrating setback for a Canucks team that has Stanley Cup aspirations this season.
The Canucks will look to bounce back when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at Rogers Arena, where they'll hope home ice proves more friendly than it did against Chicago.
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