Wednesday - Sept. 17 - City of Chilliwack launches 2026 financial plan survey

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Good morning!

Folks living in Chilliwack have another opportunity to have a say in the way their city is managed. This time it is about how resources are allocated and where the city spends its money.

Money is sometimes a contentious issue; there are few topics that cause as much friction and conflict, and most of the time as regular citizens we don’t get much of a say where funds are allocated in our cities, provinces or on the federal level. That’s why I like to jump on any chance to have a say in what my local government is doing with my tax money. So if you live in Chilliwack, make sure to take the survey. If the city keeps its promises and takes your comments into account, then you will have had a direct role in shaping the future.

Just make sure you’re keeping that in mind; what future do you want for your kids and grandkids or even for yourself in 10 or more years?

– Lubna

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Traffic & Weather

🌤 Local forecast: Langley | Chilliwack | Abbotsford | Hope 

🚘 Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google, and find DriveBC’s latest updates.

🛣 Click here for links to road cameras across the Fraser Valley, including those for the Coquihalla, Highway 7, Hope-Princeton, Fraser Canyon, and Highway 1 in Langley and Abbotsford.

News

Langley’s largest infrastructure project is complete

Langley’s new $19 million Fraser Highway One-Way Revitalization Project was seven years in the making and started with the need to replace old pipes. The project’s ribbon-cutting ceremony occurred on September15 from 9:30 to 10:30 am.  

“The infrastructure underneath is from the turn of the last century,” said Langley mayor Nathan Pachal. “It was about time to replace the wood stave pipes. The major impetus was replacing the water, sewer, and storm sewer infrastructure.”

The project soon evolved into something more complex and incorporated more elements than originally intended. It became more about revitalizing the downtown area and incorporating more walkable elements. 

“I think around 2014 there was a Downtown Langley plan, and that envisioned a walkable, sort of like a Green Ribbon downtown that would connect basically from the bus loop all the way down to Douglas. So it was part of that vision of a walkable green downtown,” Pachal said. “To have a nice, walkable downtown that supports local business is really important for the council and the city.”

Read more here

Related

Need to Know

🏘️ Chilliwack city council will vote on a proposal to transform a rural residential property on Uplands Road into medium-density housing that could accommodate two dozen townhomes across multiple buildings [Fraser Valley Today]

🏫 Pebonato Land Use Consulting seeks approval to rezone agricultural land on Hack Brown Road for Unity Christian School expansion and accompanying retail development in a phased construction approach [Fraser Valley Today]

🏥 Cedar Strong Prevention and Intervention Society now operates a Junction recovery facility in Hope, providing accessible substance abuse support services without the traditional barriers of intake processes or referral requirements [Hope Standard]

🚶‍♀️ The annual Truth and Reconciliation Walk organized by Sts'ailes First Nation will take participants on a 3.5-kilometre route between two Morris Valley Road locations on September 30, featuring traditional ceremonies and educational programming [Agassiz Harrison Observer]

🏅 Dozens of senior athletes from Abbotsford returned from the provincial 55-Plus Games with medals spanning multiple sports, including standout performances in swimming, archery, and field events [Abbotsford News]

⚖️ Homicide investigators have arrested and charged Omer Ibrahim with second-degree murder following the discovery of a deceased man at a Bridal Falls Road trailer during a May wellness check [Agassiz Harrison Observer]

🔥 Arsonists torched two parked vehicles and fired shots at a residence on Eagle Peak Drive during an early morning attack that left the sleeping occupants unharmed but prompted a major crime investigation [Abbotsford News]

💔 Emergency responders attended a fatal collision between a westbound Canadian Pacific freight train and a pedestrian near Glover Road in Langley on Monday morning [Langley

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The Agenda

City of Chilliwack launches its 2026 financial plan survey

Chilliwack residents now have the chance to provide feedback about the city’s 2026-2035 financial plan. The 10-year financial plan will decide how resources are allocated throughout the city, including infrastructure, public services, recreational facilities, and more.

Residents can complete the survey online at engagechilliwack.com/2026Budget or pick up a hard copy from Chilliwack City Hall. Completed paper surveys can be returned to City Hall in person or mailed to 8550 Young Road, Chilliwack, BC V2P 8A4, c/o Finance Department. The survey is available until Oct. 17.

“We will be developing our annual budget soon and want to hear from you,” said Chilliwack mayor Ken Popove. “Your feedback will help us keep the community’s priorities top of mind as we take care of today’s needs and plan for tomorrow.”

Chilliwack residents are encouraged to email the mayor and city council at [email protected]. Residents can also participate in a public information meeting when the draft budget comes to a council meeting, although the exact date has yet to be decided.

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🗓 Things to do

Leeroy Stagger Concert: Prolific roots troubadour Leeroy Stagger performs at the Bez Arts Hub on Friday, September 19th with doors opening at 7 PM and the show starting at 8 PM at 20230 64 Avenue in Langley.

Singer-Songwriter Night: The Fort Langley Community Improvement Society hosts an evening featuring three talented local performers on Friday, September 19th from 7:30-10:00 PM at 9167 Glover Road.

Fishtrap Creek Invasive Plant Removal: Volunteers can help remove English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and lamium from Fishtrap Creek Park in Abbotsford on Wednesday, September 18th from 9:00-11:30 AM, with tools and training provided by the Fraser Valley Conservancy.

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