Happy Monday, Langley! Expect a chilly start around 7°C, warming to about 15°C under mostly sunny skies. The dry, mild weather sticks around through Wednesday. Clouds and light rain roll in Thursday, with a cooler high near 13°C.
Langley is mourning Pte. Hayden Lykkemark, one of four soldiers killed in Saturday's fire at CFB Wainwright. The provincial election is on Saturday, and candidates in Langley-Walnut Grove and Langley-Willowbrook are making their pitches. Most agree that cost of living tops the list.
Also in this roundup: a no-majority council in Vancouver, Alberta's referendum day, fresh inflation numbers, and the Langley Rams rolling into the Cullen Cup.
Langley News
🕯️ Langley Soldier Among Four Killed in CFB Wainwright Fire
Pte. Hayden Lykkemark of Langley was one of four soldiers killed Saturday when a grass fire swept through a training area at CFB Wainwright, AB.
Another 39 soldiers went to hospital, 19 in critical condition.
The military says it knew about the fire beforehand but did not consider it a threat from about a kilometre away, and the families deserve clear answers from the full investigation that has been promised. (via Fraser Valley Today)
🗳️ Langley-Walnut Grove MLA Candidates Put Cost of Living First
Four candidates are running in Langley-Walnut Grove ahead of Saturday's provincial vote.
NDP candidate and postal worker Holly Isaac, Green Sam Meyer, and Centre BC's Kyle Stevenson all named affordability as the top issue, and Meyer called for affordable child care, public services, and seniors' care.
Conservative incumbent Misty Van Popta pointed to health care, the economy, and the lack of a school west of 200th Street in Latimer. (via Langley Advance Times)
🏛️ Langley-Willowbrook Candidates Name Their Top Issues
Four candidates are vying for Langley-Willowbrook, where Conservative incumbent Jody Toor lists affordability, public safety, mental health, and housing.
The NDP's Andrew Mercier, a former Langley MLA, is pitching gas price regulation and an ICBC rate freeze, while Green Anisha Sandhu is focused on rent and groceries.
OneBC's Shubham Joshi is running on repealing SOGI 123, which helps make schools safer for LGBTQ+ kids, and DRIPA, B.C.'s law recognizing Indigenous rights, along with a parallel private health-care system that would let money buy faster care. (via Langley Advance Times)
🚰 Township of Langley Flushing Water Mains This Fall
Township crews are flushing water mains this fall. Flushing clears built-up sediment from pipes, so if your tap water looks briefly cloudy or discoloured, this is a likely reason. Check the Township's notice for timing in your area. (via Township of Langley)
🎻 Langley Community Music School Hosts Free Book Launch Oct. 24
Cellist and LCMS artistic director emeritus Ian Hampton is launching "Jan's Quodlibet: A Year in Music" alongside author Barbara Nickel.
The book shares stories from music history and celebrates Canadian musicians, including gay Québécois composer Claude Vivier and Haida composer Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson.
The free evening runs 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, at Rose Gellert Hall (4899 207 St.) with live performances, so vote first and then go hear some Bach. (via Langley Advance Times)
Fraser Valley & Lower Mainland
📅 Back-to-Back Elections Could Drag Down Turnout, KPU Prof Warns
Two elections in one week could leave voters confused or tired.
Municipal votes were held Oct. 17 and the provincial election is Oct. 24.
KPU's Dr. Michael Ross Pink says some people may skip one of the races, which adds to a long decline in voting among people aged 18 to 30. (via Langley Advance Times)
🏙️ No Majority on Vancouver's New Council Under Mayor-Elect Pete Fry
Pete Fry will lead a Vancouver council where no party holds a majority.
Fry's Greens and COPE each won four seats. How well they work together will shape how fast the city moves on housing, transit, and renter protections. (via CTV News)
National News
🍁 Alberta Votes Today on Referendum
Albertans are voting today on whether to stay in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on leaving.
Nine other questions on the ballot cover limiting immigration, possibly charging some newcomers fees for health care and education, and taking power from Ottawa.
Prime Minister Mark Carney urged voters to say "no to the nine," and any exit push would also run into treaties that First Nations signed with the Crown, not with a province. (via Fraser Valley Today)
⛽ September Inflation Expected to Climb on High Energy Prices
Statistics Canada releases September inflation numbers today. Economists expect 3.2 per cent, up from 3 per cent, driven mostly by high energy prices.
The Bank of Canada says it could raise rates on Oct. 28 if costs keep spreading, which would squeeze mortgage holders and renters while businesses decide how much of their costs to pass along at the till. (via Fraser Valley Today)
Sports
🏈 Langley Rams Beat VI Raiders, Host Cullen Cup Saturday
The Langley Rams beat the VI Raiders 27-16 in Saturday's semifinal at McLeod Athletic Park.
Backup quarterback Chayse Thurston filled in for injured starter Daryl Overstreet Jr. and threw for 209 yards.
Langley hosts the Westshore Rebels in the Cullen Cup on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 2 p.m., and the winner hosts the Canadian Bowl on Nov. 8. (via Langley Advance Times)
🏒 Vancouver Giants Win Fourth Straight, Beat Penticton 5-1
The Giants beat the Penticton Vees 5-1 on Saturday for their longest win streak of the season.
Cash Koch scored twice in his Giants debut, and Burke Hood stopped 40 of 41 shots.
Next up are back-to-back games in Prince George on Tuesday and Wednesday, then the Trick or Suite home game against Victoria on Friday, Oct. 30. (via Langley Advance Times)
⛸️ Short Track World Tour Opens in Vancouver This Weekend
Canada's top short-track speedskaters race in Vancouver Friday through Sunday as the ISU World Tour kicks off.
Olympic medallists Courtney Sarault and Steven Dubois are set to compete. Six-time Olympic medallist Charles Hamelin says this generation races smarter and faster than ever. (via Fraser Valley Today)
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