Council Blogs

City Council is looking back on the Top 24 achievements of 2024.

Council reflects on top achievements of 2024



The end of the year is a perfect time for reflection. For us as your City Council, 2024 was a year of action and progress toward our goal of building an inclusive, connected and sustainable community with a vibrant, growing economy.

This year…

Staff presented the proposed 2025 City of Abbotsford budget to City Council on Dec. 10 and 11.

Council and Community review 2025 budget



As your City Council it is our priority to demonstrate fiscal discipline by making financial decisions that consider short and long-term costs alongside the value of our services to the community. These are the goals and principles we adhere to when…

On Nov. 27, Mayor Siemens attended an agriculture roundtable at Pitt Meadows City Hall with mayors, councillors and staff from Pitt Meadows, Chilliwack, Langley Township, Maple Ridge, Mission, Richmond and Surrey.

Discussing agriculture issues with regional leaders



Our agricultural sector is one of the chief economic drivers of our community, and as a City Council we are committed to advocating for and supporting our agriculture and agritech industries.

But we aren’t the only municipality that feels this…

The City of Abbotsford has automated its BC 1 Call process.

Digging a hole just got easier



Did you know that if you want to make an improvement on your property that involves putting a shovel in the ground, you need to make a BC 1 Call (BC1C) request to make sure there are no underground utilities in the way?

A call to BC1C before…

encampment update

Update on the protest encampment at City Hall



We know that many people have questions about the encampment at City Hall and what actions the City is taking following the court decision we received in October, which is why we are providing this interim update.

Many of you are aware that, on…

Last year Mayor Siemens joined revelers at the Winter Jubilee.

Celebrate the holidays in Abbotsford



Season's greetings, Abbotsford!

Nothing quite matches the holiday season when it comes to the whole community getting together in the spirit of joy and unity.

This is the time of year when family and friends gather to share a meal and…

On Oct. 31, Mayor Siemens met with Bank of Canada Deputy Governor Sharon Kozicki to discuss economic issues affecting businesses and households in Abbotsford.

Bringing our concerns to the Bank of Canada



Like all communities across Canada, Abbotsford experiences a wide array of economic issues that affect our local businesses and households. On Oct. 31 City Council was able to raise some of those concerns with the Bank of Canada directly when Mayor…

Royal Canadian Legion Abbotsford Branch 15 president Ross Craddock and vice-president Kelly Watson presented Mayor Siemens with a poppy in his office on Oct. 23.

How Abbotsford poppies support Abbotsford veterans



As Remembrance Day approaches, this is the time of year when we pay respects to those who paid the price to keep Canada peaceful and free.

Wearing a poppy and pausing for a moment of silence may seem like small gestures compared to stepping up…

Honouring Dr. Calvin Dyck and Jasmit Singh Phulka are this year's civic recognition award recipients.

Honouring Dr. Calvin Dyck and Jasmit Singh Phulka



On Nov. 1, we were excited to honour the accomplishments of a celebrated local musician and a champion athlete at the City’s annual civic recognition ceremony.

This year’s Order of Abbotsford was presented to violinist Dr. Calvin Dyck and the…

Staff presented their updated Good Neighbour Bylaw to City Council on Oct. 8.

Modernizing our Good Neighbour Bylaw



As a City Council, we want Abbotsford to be a community where neighbourhoods remain safe, healthy and a great place to live, work and play. One way we all contribute to that is by being a good neighbour.

To help modernize our City services and…

Last year our Operations team hauled about 11,000 tonnes of garbage and 13,000 tonnes of compost from curbside collection.

The team that keeps Abbotsford operational



The City of Abbotsford’s Operations team is one of our busiest. Over this past weekend with the heavy rain warning, if you were out and about, you likely saw them clearing catch basins and culverts throughout the community. They are the ones…

Councillors Barkman and Loewen got an inside look at StructureCraft during the Manufacturing Bus Tour on Oct. 4.

Learning more about our manufacturing sector



Abbotsford may be renowned for agriculture, but a tour of some of our local manufacturers emphasized that we’re not just expert growers, we’re also expert builders.

Earlier this month, several members of City Council, including Mayor Siemens…