An undated photo taken by Metro Vancouver resident Catherine Latremouille shows a purple glow lighting up the sky above the region. THE CANADIAN PRESS
On some of the darkest winter nights, when clouds hang low over Metro Vancouver, residents sometimes notice a purple glow spreading across the sky. The strange colour has nothing to do with holiday lights or music legends. Instead, it has caught the attention of people living near Boundary Bay, raising curiosity and plenty of questions.
Cathy Latremouille, who lives near Crescent Beach in Surrey, said she noticed the glow late Friday night when she looked outside her home. The sky, she said, looked like a giant cloud of pink candy floss.
“I've never seen anything like it before,” said Latremouille. “It's a good thing I don't face south, I would have thought the United States was going up in flames.”
Social Media Searches for Answers
The bright magenta light left Latremouille puzzled. Still, she kept a sense of humour about the unusual scene.
“I don't think the aliens were landing, or anything,” chuckled Latremouille, a retired broadcaster.
She shared a photo of the sky on Facebook, asking friends what might have caused it. Many people quickly pointed to greenhouses located across Boundary Bay as the likely source.
Greenhouses and LED Lighting
A major greenhouse grower explained that several greenhouses in the Lower Mainland use colourful LED lighting to help crops grow. These lights can appear purple when reflected off low clouds at night.
The company said its facilities use light-blocking screens designed to keep the glow inside the buildings after dark. “This is something we implemented, but it is not mandatory in the area,” the statement says.
A Longstanding Local Issue
Delta Mayor George Harvie said the issue of glowing greenhouse lights has existed for decades. As city manager more than 20 years ago, he raised concerns with the provincial government about the bright night-time light but received little response.
Harvie said some residents may dislike the glow, but current rules allow the lights. He also stressed the importance of local food production, especially lessons learned during the COVID pandemic.
“Be honest with you, we don't get many complaints,” said Harvie.
Some Residents Raise Concerns
Not everyone feels the same way. Ian Paton, the B.C. Conservative member for Delta-South, said some residents have started to raise concerns about the lights.
Paton said his family farm sits near Boundary Bay Airport, just a few kilometres from one greenhouse that produces the purple glow. “We see it every night,” he said.
He noted that other greenhouses nearby light the sky with a softer, more natural colour. He suggested simple solutions could help. “You know, they could put some kind of shade on top of their windows so that the light stays inside the greenhouse instead of going outside,” Paton said.
Why the Lights Look Purple
Federal agriculture officials explain that full-spectrum LED lights mix red, blue, and amber tones. This combination helps plants produce nutrients, grow faster, and improve food quality. When reflected by clouds, the lights can appear bright purple in the night sky.
Curiosity Over Concern
For Latremouille, the colourful glow caused more wonder than worry. “We've got all the houses lit up with beautiful lights around here, too. I thought, oh, that's just one more,” she said.
She admitted the sight briefly made her uneasy but felt relieved once people explained it online. “Anything's possible nowadays. I just kind of, you know, you get to be my age. It's all weird,” she said.
