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Happy Friday, friends!
I hope you get a chance to enjoy some beautiful and sunny weather today!
In today's roundup, animal shelter supporters are preparing for another major protest demanding accountability from the Township, while Langley City moves forward with its most significant zoning update in three decades.
We've also got updates on the Vancouver Giants' new leadership, including a Langley player in the alternate captain rotation, plus stories on BC's clean energy workforce training and community fights to preserve essential services.
LAPS Supporters to Protest Township Takeover, Demand $360,000 Refund
Animal shelter advocates will gather at Langley Township civic plaza on November 22 at noon for their third demonstration against the municipality's decision to end its contract with the Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS).
With LAPS facing a December 13 termination date and no extension announced, protesters are demanding the Township refund $360,000 in public donations that built the shelter's Cat Intake and Isolation Facility.
Organizer Alanna Dale, daughter of the shelter's namesake Patti Dale, urged supporters to maintain pressure on officials who she believes are waiting for public attention to fade.
Langley City Honors Indigenous Veterans with Elder-Led Conversation
Tomorrow at 11 a.m., Langley City Hall will host a special Village Cafe Series event honoring Indigenous Veterans Day.
Kwantlen First Nations Elder Karen Gabriel will lead a conversation reflecting on the service and sacrifice of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit veterans, both past and present.
The free event takes place in the CKF Room at Langley City Hall and includes light refreshments for attendees.
Langley City: New Zoning Bylaw Advancing Through Approval Process
Langley City Council has given first and second reading to a comprehensive new zoning bylaw that represents the first major update since 1995.
The new bylaw aligns with the city's Official Community Plan and provincial requirements around height, density, and parking.
Key changes include encouraging sloped roofs and setbacks for residential buildings to reduce the "boxy" appearance of new construction, while still allowing four to six units per lot with increased lot coverage from 33% to 36%.
The bylaw introduces progressive measures such as requiring all residential parking spaces to be wired for EV chargers, permitting childcare centres in more zones, and mandating that 2.5% of units in Transit-Oriented Development Areas be affordable rental housing.
Additionally, 5% of units in new apartment buildings must have three or more bedrooms, addressing the need for family-sized housing.
The bylaw also modernizes commercial uses while prohibiting new "spas" from opening (though existing ones can continue operating).
After years of public consultation and staff work, the bylaw now moves forward for additional community feedback before final readings.
Controversial Ostrich Cull Underway at B.C. Interior Farm
Gunshots echoed across a British Columbia farm near Edgewood as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency moved forward with a controversial operation to cull hundreds of ostriches.
The cull comes after police imposed access restrictions to the property, creating a tense situation as the operation proceeded.
Witnesses reported hearing numerous gunshots as agency officials carried out the euthanization of the birds, a decision that has sparked significant debate within the agricultural community and among animal welfare advocates.
While the specific reasons for the cull have not been fully detailed, such operations are typically undertaken due to disease control concerns or regulatory compliance issues.
The situation highlights the sometimes difficult decisions required in animal agriculture and the balance between biosecurity measures and the emotional and economic toll on farmers and their communities.
BCIT Program Trains Workers for BC's Growing Clean Energy Economy
British Columbia's clean energy workforce is projected to grow from 83,100 jobs in 2025 to over 400,000 by 2050, but the province lacks trained workers to fill these roles.
BCIT's sustainable business leadership advanced diploma offers a practical solution with evening classes that teach mid-career professionals climate strategy, decarbonization, and circular economy systems without requiring them to quit their jobs.
Graduates move into local positions managing building retrofits, climate risk assessment, and sustainability programs for municipalities, health authorities, and businesses across sectors that can't be offshored.
Community Mobilizes to Save Vancouver Chinatown's Last Post Office
Vancouver's Chinatown community is fighting to preserve its last remaining post office, which many residents describe as a vital lifeline for the neighborhood.
At the Wongs' Benevolent Association, there isn't even a computer—everything is done by mail, from paying utility bills to maintaining connections with family and handling official correspondence. For many elderly residents of Chinatown, particularly those who aren't comfortable with or don't have access to digital services, the post office represents far more than just a place to send letters.
The potential closure threatens to cut off essential services for a vulnerable population, many of whom have relied on this postal outlet for decades. Community advocates are mobilizing to demonstrate the critical importance of maintaining postal services in neighborhoods where residents depend on them for daily necessities, arguing that the loss would disproportionately impact seniors and those without digital literacy or internet access.
Vancouver Giants Announce Leadership Group with New Captain
The Vancouver Giants have named 20-year-old Ty Halaburda as the 23rd captain in franchise history, leading a six-player leadership group for the 2025-26 season.
Halaburda, from Victoria, B.C., has been an alternate captain for the past two seasons and has accumulated 260 career WHL regular season games across five seasons, ranking 11th all-time for the franchise. The forward is coming off consecutive 60+ point campaigns and already has 15 points in 17 games this season.
He'll be joined by full-time alternate captains Ryan Lin (Richmond) and Jakob Oreskovic (Langley), plus a rotating third alternate between Marek Howell, Ethan Mittelsteadt, and Cameron Schmidt.
Head Coach Parker Burgess praised the diverse strengths each leader brings to the team, noting their importance both on and off the ice.
Lin, a WHL Rookie of the Year finalist last season, currently leads all WHL defencemen in scoring with 21 points, while Oreskovic has stepped up with penalty-killing responsibilities.
The leadership group represents a mix of experience and emerging talent as the Giants aim to build on their competitive foundation.
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