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  "description": "Langley City's mayor calls a provincial construction bill \"dangerous.\" Two in three Canadians want neutrality on Iran. The Bank of Canada announces its rate decision today. Plus: Adaptive Sports Day, a Women's Day expo, and Pettersson powers the Canucks.",
  "path": "/langley-roundup-news-for-march-18th-2026/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-18T19:20:24.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.langleyunion.ca",
  "tags": [
    "Read More",
    "Randy Fath",
    "Unsplash",
    "langleychess.com",
    "Learn More",
    "Janosch Diggelmann",
    "https://forms.gle/wntx2SCFEnDZV9c89",
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    "Den Harrson",
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    "Nick Thomas",
    "Take the Survey"
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  "textContent": "💚\n\n****Support Local News—Spread the Word****\nThe best way to help __The Langley Union__ grow is simple: share this newsletter. Forward it to a friend, mention it to your family, or post it on social media and encourage others to subscribe.\n\nIt's a drizzly Wednesday in Langley with light rain and temperatures hovering around 11°C, and forecasters say we should expect more of the same through Friday.\n\nIn today's roundup, Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal is pushing back on a provincial bill that would let developers self-inspect construction sites, and the Bank of Canada is set to announce its latest interest rate decision this morning amid economic uncertainty.\n\nA new poll shows two in three Canadians want the country to stay out of the Iran war, while Indigenous leaders are pressing Ottawa to uphold Jay Treaty border-crossing rights.\n\nCloser to home, Adaptive Sports Day is coming to Willoughby Stadium on March 29, Langley City is hosting a free Women's Day Business Expo on Friday, and Elias Pettersson snapped a 20-game goal drought to power the Canucks past Florida.\n\n## Sign up for The Langley Union\n\nGet daily news updates and feature community stories from the only independent source that is 100% owned and operated in Langley, BC.\n\nSubscribe\n\nEmail sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup.\n\nNo spam. No paywalls. Unsubscribe anytime.\n\n### Langley City Hosts Women's Day Business Expo March 21\n\nLangley City is marking International Women's Day with a free Business and Entrepreneur Expo at City Hall on Friday, March 21.\n\nThe event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and features morning workshops on starting and growing local businesses, a midday networking session, and an afternoon expo showcasing women-owned and women-led businesses.\n\nA \"Village Cafe\" running alongside the expo will highlight art, music, food, and community dialogue.\n\nAll are welcome to attend at Langley City Hall, located at 20399 Douglas Crescent.\n\nRead More\n\n### Langley Chess Club Meets Mondays in Brookswood\n\nPhoto by Randy Fath / Unsplash\n\nThe Langley Chess Club meets every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Brookswood Seniors Centre on 36 Ave.\n\nThe club holds rated tournaments through the Chess Federation of Canada, with one round played each evening.\n\nThe first Monday of every month is open for casual, non-rated play.\n\nMore info and upcoming events can be found at langleychess.com or by emailing langleychess@proton.me.\n\nLearn More\n\n### Adaptive Sports Day Comes to Willoughby Stadium March 29\n\nPhoto by Janosch Diggelmann / Unsplash\n\nAdaptive sports are programs modified to include people with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities.\n\nThey remove barriers that can keep people out of traditional athletics.\n\nWhat started as an adaptive soccer event in Langley has grown into a full Lower Mainland sports festival.\n\nHosted by NetPositive Football Society and Vancouver FC, Adaptive Sports Day takes place Sunday, March 29 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Willoughby Stadium (7888 200 St.).\n\nThe free event is open to youth and adults and features participation from local soccer clubs, the Vancouver Bandits, Langley Rivermen, and Vancouver Rams.\n\nEvents like this build community by creating spaces where disabled athletes and their families can connect, play, and feel welcome.\n\nRegistration is open until March 20 at https://forms.gle/wntx2SCFEnDZV9c89.\n\nRead More\n\n### Langley City Mayor Calls NDP Construction Bill 'Dangerous'\n\nPhoto by Glenov Brankovic / Unsplash\n\nA provincial bill that would stop cities from independently inspecting construction sites passed second reading with full NDP support on March 11.\n\nBill M216 would force local governments to accept safety submissions from professionals hired by developers, removing municipal oversight.\n\nLangley City Mayor Nathan Pachal spoke out against the proposal, noting the city tightened its own inspection rules after a sinkhole opened at a Fraser Highway construction site last year.\n\nMore than 70 local governments and six professional associations, including Engineers and Geoscientists BC, have urged the committee to kill the bill.\n\nRead More\n\n### UBC Research Reveals Artificial Turf Fields Threaten Coho Salmon in Metro Vancouver\n\nPhoto by Den Harrson / Unsplash\n\nA groundbreaking study from the University of British Columbia has uncovered a deadly connection between artificial turf fields and coho salmon deaths in the region.\n\nResearchers discovered that synthetic turf fields across Metro Vancouver are leaching a toxic chemical called 6PPD-quinone into stormwater systems.\n\nThis chemical, used in tire rubber often found in artificial turf infill, proves lethal to coho salmon even in small concentrations.\n\nThe findings raise serious environmental concerns about the widespread use of artificial turf in sports fields and playgrounds throughout the Lower Mainland, as stormwater runoff carries the toxin directly into salmon-bearing streams and rivers.\n\nRead More\n\n### Coastal British Columbia Braces for More Rain Through Friday\n\nPhoto by Kostiantyn Li / Unsplash\n\nAnother round of wet weather is heading for coastal B.C., bringing concerns about flooding and elevated stream levels across the region.\n\nThe central coast has been placed under a flood watch, while the Upper Fraser region is included in a high streamflow advisory as atmospheric moisture continues to drench the province.\n\nForecasters predict the rainy conditions will persist until Friday, with already saturated ground and swollen waterways increasing the risk of localized flooding.\n\nResidents in affected areas are advised to stay alert, prepare emergency kits, and monitor conditions closely as the weather system moves through the region.\n\nRead More\n\n### Archway Community Services Volunteer Shares Journey Supporting Youth Mental Health Through Foundry\n\nFor two years, high school student Alyssa has dedicated herself to raising mental health awareness as a Foundry Abbotsford ambassador.\n\nDrawing on her own experiences with mental health challenges, Alyssa volunteers her time to ensure fellow students know where to turn when they need support.\n\nAs a Foundry Ambassador, a program delivered in partnership with School District #34, she hosts informational booths, delivers classroom presentations, and speaks at school assemblies.\n\nNow graduating a year early, Alyssa reflects on how volunteering has strengthened her confidence and deepened her understanding of mental health. \"Before, mental health felt like such a big, scary topic.\n\nNow I know it's okay to not be okay,\" she shared, crediting the experience with preparing her for future advocacy work in family law.\n\nRead More\n\n### Bank of Canada Interest Rate Decision Looms Amid Middle East Conflict and Economic Uncertainty\n\nThe Bank of Canada is set to announce its latest interest rate decision this morning as it navigates a clouded economic outlook.\n\nCentral bank officials are weighing multiple factors including the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its potential impact on global markets and inflation.\n\nEconomists and Canadians alike are watching closely to see whether the bank will hold rates steady, cut them to stimulate growth, or raise them to combat inflation.\n\nThe decision comes at a critical juncture as households continue to grapple with affordability challenges while the broader economy shows mixed signals of strength and vulnerability.\n\nRead More\n\n### Indigenous Nations Fight for Free Movement Across Canada-U.S. Border\n\nPhoto by Nick Thomas / Unsplash\n\nThe 1794 Jay Treaty recognized Indigenous peoples' right to cross the Canada-U.S. border freely, but Canada never brought that right into law.\n\nThe U.S. did, allowing some Canadian-born Indigenous people to live, work, and study there without being treated as immigrants.\n\nBut Canada still processes U.S.-born Indigenous people under standard immigration rules.\n\nThe Jay Treaty Border Alliance is pushing both governments to fix the gap, with new urgency as heightened ICE enforcement raises the risk of Indigenous travellers being racially profiled and mistakenly targeted at the border.\n\nRead More\n\n### Two in Three Canadians Say Canada Should Stay Out of Iran War\n\nA new Leger poll finds 58% of Canadians oppose the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with two-thirds saying Canada should remain neutral.\n\nConservative voters were the most hawkish, with 45% backing the U.S. and Israel, compared to just 18% of Liberal voters.\n\nCanadians are far more worried about the war's economic fallout than the conflict itself.\n\nA full 91% said they are concerned about rising gas and grocery prices, while 82% fear a global recession and job losses.\n\nRead More\n\n### Pettersson's Two-Goal Performance Powers Canucks to 5-2 Victory Over Panthers\n\nElias Pettersson erupted for two goals as the Vancouver Canucks dominated the Florida Panthers 5-2 in impressive fashion.\n\nThe performance was particularly significant as the centre snapped a grueling 20-game goal-scoring drought that had plagued his season.\n\n\"He's changed his whole mindset,\" noted observers, praising Pettersson's renewed work ethic and focus.\n\nThe difficult season for both Pettersson and the Canucks appeared to turn a corner with Tuesday night's convincing win, as the star player rediscovered his scoring touch at a crucial point in the campaign.\n\nRead More\n\n* * *\n\n###  What did you think?\n\nHelp us improve! Take a quick 60-second survey to share your thoughts on this article.\n\n Take the Survey ",
  "title": "Langley Roundup: News for March 18th, 2026",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-18T19:20:25.998Z"
}