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Good morning, Langley!
With mostly cloudy skies and temperatures hovering around 14°C today, Langley residents head to the polls for Saturday's byelection as climate action takes center stage in the race.
All seven candidates have weighed in on the Township's environmental priorities, from protecting tree canopy and farmland to managing stormwater and restoring biodiversity.
Meanwhile, the community continues to grow with 210 new apartments proposed near the Carvolth bus exchange, Langley City eyes ambitious budget enhancements including additional firefighters and RCMP members, and BC Conservative leader John Rustad faces a no-confidence vote from his own party management committee amid ongoing turmoil.
Climate Crisis Langley Action quizzes byelection candidates on climate priorities
With the October 25 byelection approaching, Climate Crisis Langley Action Partners surveyed all seven candidates on their environmental commitments, receiving responses from everyone in the race.
John Aldag identified the rapid loss of green spaces and biodiversity as the Township's most pressing issue, advocating for green infrastructure and lessons from successful urban planning elsewhere.
Paul Chhina emphasized balancing growth with farmland protection, drawing on his agricultural background to promote smart development and tree planting.
Resha Sabti took a holistic view, arguing that environmental challenges are interconnected and recalling how Langley's forests have disappeared over two decades of growth.
Saurabh Seth admitted he's no climate expert but highlighted concerns about stormwater management, declining tree canopy, and threatened salmon habitat, pledging to prioritize expert guidance for his kids' future.
Val van den Broek called the loss of natural ecosystems the most urgent issue, proposing bold action including stronger tree protection bylaws, low-impact development features, and partnerships with First Nations.
Jamie Watson framed the problem as a lack of political will and voter turnout, arguing that real change requires bold leadership at the municipal level rather than waiting for federal action.
Blair Whitmarsh focused on urban tree canopy and water resource management as key priorities for the growing community.
The group posted all responses on Facebook to help voters make informed decisions.
Walnut Grove Gators Claim Bronze Despite Tournament Setbacks
The Walnut Grove Gators secured a bronze medal at the UFV tournament, with their coach noting they "almost pulled off the upset."
Despite facing various challenges throughout the competition, the team showed remarkable resilience and determination. Their third-place finish represents a solid achievement, especially considering the setbacks they encountered during the tournament. The coach's comments suggest the team performed beyond expectations and came close to achieving an even better result. This bronze medal finish demonstrates the competitive spirit and skill level of Langley's young athletes.
Willoughby Area Set for Major Housing Development
A new apartment development at 8360 201 Street could bring 210 units to Langley Township's Carvolth area if approved.
The project proposes two six-storey buildings on a one-hectare site located just a block from the busy Carvolth Exchange park and ride bus loop, with 84 Avenue to the north and townhouses to the east.
Submitted by ParaMorph Architecture, the development would use 1.68 acres of the lot for construction after setting aside streamside protection areas and space for new roads and a greenway.
The Carvolth neighbourhood has welcomed numerous condo and apartment projects over the past decade, continuing the area's transformation into a higher-density, transit-oriented community near one of the Township's major transportation hubs.
Langley City Council Eyes Ambitious 2026 Budget Enhancements
Langley City Council is considering significant service improvements that could enhance public safety, infrastructure, and community services.
The proposed enhancements include hiring two additional firefighters ($400,000), two additional RCMP members ($320,000), and an Assistant Fire Chief for seven-day coverage ($237,000).
Other notable additions include a Procurement Manager, IT project manager, Facilities Supervisor, and communication staff member to better serve the growing community.
The council will also consider extending the Al Anderson Pool season starting April 13th for an additional $68,900.
These investments reflect the city's commitment to maintaining high service levels as the community continues to expand and face new challenges.
Rustad Refuses to Step Down as BC Conservative Management Declares No Confidence
BC Conservative leader John Rustad is defying calls to resign after the party's management committee sent him a letter Wednesday declaring they've lost confidence in his leadership.
The seven-member committee, led by party president Aisha Estey, cited an "unprecedented level of turmoil" and "state of chaos" that has destabilized the party since last year's provincial election, pointing to sagging poll numbers, declining memberships and fundraising, and five MLAs who have either quit or been kicked out of caucus.
The no-confidence vote comes months after Rustad's summer leadership review was marred by allegations of voter fraud, with more than 2,000 suspect memberships in Kelowna connected to the same email domain, fake phone numbers, and just three credit cards, all of which were later cancelled by party officials.
Rustad, who led the party from zero seats to nearly winning the October 2024 election with 44 of 93 seats, says he intends to stay on as leader, noting that he received 71 percent support in that contested leadership review and believes strongly in democracy.
Health Officials Urge British Columbians to Get Flu Vaccinations
As misinformation continues to spread, health officials are encouraging residents to seek information from reputable sources and roll up their sleeves for flu shots.
The timing of this public health campaign is particularly crucial as flu season approaches and vaccination rates remain a concern for health authorities.
Officials emphasize the importance of distinguishing between reliable medical information and misleading content that circulates on social media platforms. The flu vaccine remains one of the most effective tools for preventing serious illness and reducing strain on the healthcare system during peak flu season.
Health authorities are working to counter vaccine hesitancy by providing clear, science-based information about vaccine safety and effectiveness.
Canada Lures Scientists North as Trump Administration Slashes U.S. Research Funding
More than 600 scientists, about half from the United States, have expressed interest in positions at Toronto's University Health Network (UHN) through a new program called Canada Leads.
The initiative launched in April aims to reverse decades of brain drain by offering salaries, lab space, and collaboration opportunities to promising researchers fleeing the hostile environment for science under the Trump administration.
Among those recruited is Canadian-born scientist Wes Wilson, who packed up his cancer research lab at Penn Medical in Philadelphia after witnessing clinical trials stopped midstream and hundreds of colleagues laid off.
UHN raised $30 million in philanthropic donations to fund the campaign, with 25 scientists already accepting offers and another 75 positions expected to be filled soon.
However, Canada still ranks sixth out of seven G7 countries in science funding and sits below the OECD average, prompting over 2,700 Canadian researchers to sign a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney calling for increased support in the upcoming November 4 federal budget.
Canada Trained Troops on Israeli Missiles During Gaza Genocide, Documents Reveal
The Canadian Armed Forces planned to send 29 personnel to Israel last year for anti-tank missile training with an Israeli weapons manufacturer.
This happened as Israel was conducting its genocidal assault on Gaza and just weeks after those same missiles likely killed a Canadian aid worker.
Documents obtained by The Maple show the Department of National Defence scheduled training sessions in July and August 2024 for Spike LR2 missiles purchased from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems under a $43 million contract.
The training window coincided with Israeli attacks that killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians. These included bombings of schools and designated safe zones.
The department has refused to confirm whether the training took place as planned or disclose travel costs. It violated transparency obligations by delaying document release for nine months beyond the legal deadline. Critics argue the training and weapons purchase directly fund Israel's arms industry.
They say it represents a "direct endorsement" of the devastation in Gaza and are calling for Canada to cancel the Rafael contract and impose a two-way arms embargo on Israel.
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