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Happy Friday, Langley!
With mostly sunny skies and temperatures reaching 14 degrees today in Langley, it's a beautiful Friday to catch up on the week's news from across our community and region.
Today's roundup brings together critical stories about our local byelection race heating up, workers standing up for fair wages, environmental challenges facing BC's orcas, and local soccer teams making history on the continental stage.
Comprehensive guide breaks down where Township candidates stand on critical issues
This definitive voter guide compares all seven Township council candidates on 11 key issues, from housing and transit to debt and water security.
The candidates split sharply on major controversies: Blair Whitmarsh and Jami Watson oppose the RCMP separation from Langley City while Val van den Broek strongly defends it, and Blair Whitmarsh sounds the loudest alarm about the Township's $600 million debt while John Aldag takes a more measured wait-and-see approach.
On urbanism, several candidates including Watson and van den Broek champion walkable neighborhoods, connected bike networks, and "complete streets" policies to break Langley's car-dependent sprawl, while others like Resha Sabti and Saurabh Seth emphasize infrastructure coordination and evidence-based planning.
With advance voting underway and election day Saturday, this guide gives voters the detailed policy positions they need to make an informed choice.
Willoughby Slope adds 40 townhouses as Langley Township densifies
Langley Township council greenlit a 40-unit townhouse project on the Willoughby Slope, moving away from yet another low-density single-family sprawl plan.
The rezoning increases density to 20 units per acre on a 1.93-acre site near 204 Street and 71A Avenue, a clear step toward addressing the region's housing shortage.
The developer scrapped a previous 14-lot single-family proposal in favor of this higher-density alternative, though the project still needs final approval.
While surrounding lots remain mostly single-family homes, this shift toward townhouses reflects what Langley actually needs: more homes for working families, not more car-dependent subdivisions and sprawling lawns.
Political Rumours Cloud John Aldag's Township Byelection Campaign
Former MP John Aldag is facing persistent online speculation about secret political alliances as he campaigns for Langley Township council.
Despite Aldag's repeated denials, rumours continue to swirl on social media suggesting he has undisclosed connections to existing political slates - mainly Mayor Eric Woodward's "Progress for Langley".
The speculation threatens to overshadow his policy platform and campaign messaging as voters prepare for the upcoming byelection.
Aldag has consistently maintained his independence and rejected claims of any behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, but the persistent nature of these allegations highlights the increasingly complex dynamics of local politics in Langley Township.
Byelection candidates clash over growth, transit, and council drama
Seven candidates vying for Langley Township's vacant council seat faced tough questions about development and transit at the only all-candidates meeting before the Oct. 25 vote.
Housing dominated the discussion, with Jami Watson opposing sprawling leapfrog development and Blair Whitmarsh calling for diverse housing types to keep Langley affordable for working families.
Val van den Broek stirred controversy by suggesting the township leave Metro Vancouver to join a South of the Fraser regional district, while also addressing past council turmoil during her time as Langley City mayor.
Most candidates committed to running again in 2026, signaling this byelection is just the warmup for a longer fight over Langley's future.
Langley City Film Festival Ready for Saturday Premiere
Break out the popcorn! The Langley City Film Festival is happening this Saturday with the theme "The Emotion of Sound + The Natural Environment."
The festival will showcase 18 original short films by BC filmmakers at the Langley Community Music School from 11:00am to 3:00pm. Following the screenings, there will be an awards presentation and panel discussion with filmmakers.
Tickets are affordably priced at $15 for adults and just $5 for youth 18 and under, making it accessible for families.
With rain expected in the forecast, this indoor cultural event offers the perfect Saturday afternoon entertainment while supporting local artistic talent.
Maple Ridge Exceeds Housing Construction Targets
British Columbia's Housing Minister has commended Maple Ridge for surpassing provincial building targets amid rapid population growth.
The city has successfully exceeded expectations for new housing construction, addressing the pressing demand driven by the region's expanding population.
Mayoral comments indicate that rapid population growth continues to drive the need for more residential development across all housing types.
This achievement positions Maple Ridge as a model for other Fraser Valley municipalities grappling with similar growth pressures.
The success demonstrates effective collaboration between municipal planning and private development sectors in meeting housing demand.
Alberta teachers hold firm as historic two-week strike continues
Alberta's 51,000 teachers rejected the government's request to end their provincewide walkout and enter mediation, extending the largest strike in the province's history into a third week.
Class size caps remain the central sticking point, with union president Jason Schilling saying teachers won't back down despite the government setting aside $2.6 billion for a deal.
Premier Danielle Smith questions the feasibility of class size limits even though several provinces including BC, Ontario, and Manitoba have implemented them, while teachers report regularly facing classes of over 30 students.
With 740,000 students out of school and Finance Minister Nate Horner threatening back-to-work legislation if the strike continues, the standoff highlights the growing clash between education workers demanding reasonable working conditions and a government prioritizing fiscal restraint over classroom quality.
BC public service professionals join strike as government refuses to negotiate
All 1,600 professionals in BC's public service, including transportation engineers, mine inspectors, and foresters who keep communities safe, are now on strike after the government refused to budge on wage offers.
The Professional Employees' Association escalated to full strike action on October 16 after eight weeks of the province stonewalling negotiations, offering just 3.5 per cent over two years while workers demand eight per cent to keep pace with the cost of living.
These essential workers, who ensure highway safety, support vulnerable children, and oversee critical mining and infrastructure projects like the Pattullo Bridge replacement, deserve fair compensation for their expertise and dedication.
PEA executive director Melissa Moroz warns the province risks losing professionals to better-paying jobs elsewhere, while BCGEU President Paul Finch rightly places blame on Finance Minister and a government that refuses to return to the table with a revised offer, leaving 25,000 BCGEU workers also taking job action in solidarity.
BC's endangered orcas cling to survival at 74 individuals, but extinction looms for K pod
BC's southern resident killer whales remain in precarious decline despite a modest one-whale increase to 74 individuals in the latest census.
K pod faces the bleakest future with just 14 whales and no viable calf born since 2022, putting it on a path toward extinction, while only J pod shows fragile signs of growth.
The orcas' struggle traces back to the brutal marine park captures of the 1960s and 70s that stole over 50 individuals, and today they face three critical threats: toxic pollutants, underwater noise, and dwindling chinook salmon populations.
Dr. Michael Weiss of the Center for Whale Research emphasizes that restoring chinook access through habitat restoration and sustainable fishing is essential, urging residents to pressure their representatives and volunteer for local restoration efforts to give these whales the chance to bounce back over the coming decades.
Vancouver FC makes club history with 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup berth
Vancouver FC earned their first-ever continental competition appearance after qualifying for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup as runners-up in the Canadian Championship.
The Eagles fell 4-2 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the October 1 final, but inherited the Canadian berth after the Whitecaps qualified for Champions Cup through their strong MLS Supporters' Shield standings instead.
The achievement marks a remarkable milestone for a club founded just three years ago in November 2022, and makes 2026 the first time three Canadian Premier League sides will compete in the tournament alongside CPL veterans Forge FC and Cavalry FC.
Vancouver FC will learn their opponents when the official draw takes place on December 9, with the tournament kicking off February 3, 2026.
Vancouver Rise Academy closes Concacaf tournament with dominant 8-0 victory
The Vancouver Rise Academy finished their 2025 Concacaf W Champions Cup campaign with an emphatic 8-0 thrashing of El Salvador's Alianza FC at Willoughby Community Park.
The young squad, composed mostly of academy and League 1 BC players, rebounded impressively after losing their first three matches 12-1 combined to top NWSL and Liga MX sides including Washington Spirit and Gotham FC.
Seina Kasihma, Jenna Baxter, Myla Ewasiuk, and Bianca Patik all found the net in a dominant performance that showcased the club's robust talent development pipeline.
While the tournament highlighted a missed opportunity to feature the Rise's NSL first team against elite competition, the experience proved invaluable for young players like Ewasiuk, who emphasized the importance of having a professional pathway above them to aspire toward.
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