The City of Abbotsford is proud to share our Top 24 of ’24 achievements, highlighting a busy year of progress, innovation and community-focused projects, initiatives, and services aimed at enhancing the quality of life for current and future residents. From securing record-breaking grants to advancing sustainability and supporting housing, this work emphasizes the City’s dedication to building a brighter future for all.
“As 2024 comes to a close, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the substantial amount of work and advancements that have taken place across our community over the past year,” said Mayor of Abbotsford, Ross Siemens. “Our goal as a City Council is to create an inclusive, connected and sustainable community while fostering a vibrant and growing economy, and this year efforts certainly reflect that vision. The achievements of 2024 position Abbotsford for continued growth and prosperity in 2025 and beyond.”
In addition to the Top 24 achievements listed below, the City completed several large infrastructure projects, including the Marshall Rd Corridor improvements, the Montvue Avenue Realignment and the West Railway Street Plaza design. New park facilities and playgrounds were also added at several parks across the community, and the City focused on growing jobs and strengthening the local economy to ensure Abbotsford remains a wonderful place to live, work, play, grow and invest-in, long term.
Top 24 of '24
1. Record-Breaking Grants
Council secured more than $160 million in grants, which, other than property taxes, was the equivalent to all other sources of revenue combined.
2. Planning for the Future
Council launched Abbotsforward 2050, an update to the City’s Official Community Plan (OCP), which will guide how we build for and accommodate the growth of our City over the next 25 years.
3. Advancements in Barrowtown Resiliency
Council initiated work on the first phase of Barrowtown Pump Station enhancements and resiliency upgrades (a flood wall and backup power generator), following receipt of a $76.6 million investment from the Province of BC.
4. Improving Efficiency in Permitting
Council announced a new online building permits portal to increase efficiency, in support of continued growth and development in the City.
5. Improvements at Abbotsford Recreation Centre
The City, with the Government of Canada, announced the Heat Recovery and Optimization project at ARC, which will make the building more energy efficient, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and make it the facility more accessible to users with mobility challenges.
6. Investments in Community Fire Fighting and Response
Council invested in enhanced community safety through the hiring of 12 additional career firefighters, staffing medical squad units at Halls 1 and 6 and adding a new Heavy Rescue unit, a Wildland unit and Rehab unit to the fleet. AFRS responded to more than 14,000 emergency incidents.
7. Recording-Breaking Construction Values
Council supported significant building and development in Abbotsford, with approved permits carrying a record-breaking construction value of more than $730 million (to mid-November).
8. Supporting Business Growth
Council launched the Business Retention and Expansion survey to gather feedback from residents and businesses to help inform its updated Business Retention and Expansion Strategy.
9. Increasing Access to Transit
Council announced the construction of the new Montrose Avenue Transit Exchange, in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of BC. The new exchange opened for bus service in November.
10. Addressing Commercial Truck Parking
Council directed staff to move forward to the next stage of a Commercial Truck Parking Strategy, which includes industry consultation and engagement, to increase commercial truck parking spaces and options in Abbotsford.
11. Advocating for More Detox Beds
The City put forward a resolution to the Union of BC Municipalities that was endorsed, which calls on the BC government to expand rapid access to detox beds across the province.
12. Expanding YXX
The City completed a 30,000 square foot terminal expansion at Abbotsford International Airport.
13. Increasing Access to Synthetic Sports Fields
The City signed a new turf field joint-use agreement with Abbotsford School District for the operations and maintenance of the four synthetic turf fields on the school district’s property.
14. New Community Events Calendar
Council announced the launch of Go!Abbotsford, an online events calendar, in partnership with Tourism Abbotsford. Council also introduced a new online arts and events resource guide for event organizers and cultural producers in the community.
15. Identifying Sport Infrastructure Needs
Council launched a resident survey and public engagement to identify the needs and preferences of user groups for sport fields and courts across the City. Feedback received will be used in the development of a long-term Sport Court and Sport Field Strategy, which will guide future investments in sports infrastructure over the next 15+ years.
16. Non-Residential Building and Development
Council approved development applications for more than 183,000 square feet of new industrial floor space, 25,000 square feet of new commercial space and 156,000 square feet of new educational space.
17. Addressing Homelessness
The City signed an MOU with the Province to advance the HEART and HEARTH programs through BC Housing, to better serve those experiencing homelessness in our community, and collaborated with provincial partners to secure 150+ additional shelter spaces in our community.
18. Mobile App to Support the Unhoused
Council announced the development and launch of the Community Homelessness Information Application (CHIA) to help staff and outreach workers coordinate resources and better support the most vulnerable members of our community.
19. Water Supply Resiliency Advancements
The City completed designs for the Norrish Water Treatment Plant Power Supply replacement. Construction begins in fall 2025.
20. Supporting Building More Homes
Council updated the Zoning Bylaw with small-scale multi-unit housing regulations and launched a new Secondary Suites Incentive Program to help increase the housing options and supply in Abbotsford.
21. Celebrating Manufacturing in Abbotsford
Council launched an inaugural Abbotsford Manufacturing Tour, in partnership with Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, to highlight Abbotsford’s diverse and innovative manufacturing sector.
22. Approving More Homes in Abbotsford
Council approved more than 2,000 new housing units with 2,600 units more approved in principle.
23. Supporting Homelessness Prevention
Council allocated more than $1.78 million for homelessness prevention projects in Abbotsford, following a two-year renewal of Abbotsford’s status as a Designated Community through the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home program.
24. Commitment to Sustainability
Council expanded the City’s Green fleet of hybrid and electric vehicles, as part of its commitment to reduce carbon pollution and minimize environment impacts.