Abbotsford

A group of people stand on the sidewalk at a busy intersection. They are waving Palestinian flags and banners with messages in support of Palestine.

Community group rallies for Palestinian human rights in Abbotsford

April 16, 2024 by Charles Brockman

A dedicated and growing community of activists in Abbotsford has spearheaded their own demonstrations to support and show solidarity for the citizens of Palestine as rallies and protests continue this week across the country.

Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights: Fraser Valley (SPHRFV) is a group that now organizes on a weekly basis.

On Sunday, Apr. 14, they gathered for a seventh time to rally and wave Palestinian flags, this time at Abbotsford’s “Five Corners” intersection.

Ahead of Sunday’s rally, CIVL Radio spoke with Philip Sherwood, a writer from Abbotsford and one of SPHRFV’s lead organizers, about the importance of solidarity and public demonstrations from the other side of the world.

“We’re looking to build a group of people in the community who are committed to human rights for Palestinians —who want to see a just peace,” said Sherwood.

Listen to the complete audio story for more on SPHRFV’s goals, and details for their next public demonstration.

Member of Parliament Ed Fast is conducting an interview via Zoom, wearing a headset from his office.

Former Minister Ed Fast reflects on career upon retirement announcement

April 12, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

Abbotsford’s Member of Parliament (MP) Ed Fast announced his retirement last month.

Fast has served as MP for the federal electoral district of Abbotsford through six sessions of parliament and multiple federal governments over 18 years.

As a member of the Conservative Party, he served as minister for International Trade and minister for the Asia–Pacific Gateway for former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

On Mar. 14, Fast said he will not run in the next federal election.

CIVL Radio interviewed Fast, prompting him to reflect on his values, career, and where he believes Canada is headed.

Ed Fast is a white elderly man in an office with a phone in hand.

MP points to government policies as key drivers of inflation and high costs of living, calls for reassessment

March 15, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

Abbotsford’s Member of Parliament Ed Fast said government spending, “red tape” for corporations and Canadians’ lack of productivity are responsible for inflation and the high cost of living.

In an interview with CIVL Radio, Fast laid the blame for Canada’s economic struggles at the feet of the Trudeau-led Liberal Party government.

“There are many contributors to inflation. Most of them are now in the control of the federal government,” said Fast.

Listen to the complete interview with Fast, as he elaborates on a range of concerns and outlines his party’s proposed initiatives, starting with a re-evaluation of the federal carbon tax.

Photo of Abbotsford City Hall, a brown brick building behind a fountain water-feature and green trees.

City council working to open accessibility committee to public consultations

March 11, 2024 by Charles Brockman

City council members and staff recently gathered for the second quarterly meeting of the Accessibility and Equity advisory committee where they voted to open future consultation sessions to the public.

The committee is the result of a provincial mandate laid out in the Accessible British Columbia Act. According to the official committee terms of reference, its purpose is “to advise City Council on how to remove and prevent barriers to individuals in or interacting with the City.”

City Councilor and chairperson Simon Gibson told CIVL Radio his vision for the committee.

“Whatever your situation — mobility or some disability,” said Gibson, “[we hope] that you can access Abbotsford services in a way that is similar to those without disabilities.”

Listen to the complete interview for details of the public consultation sessions and discussion from local policy critic Ross Brown of Abbotsford Policy Corner, who is doubtful of the need for such a committee.

A screen displaying the Abbotsford PD page for "comprehensive gang strategy."

Gang recruitment concerns prompt vigilance in Abbotsford: police

March 9, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

The Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) is on alert after police in Victoria, B.C. reportedly announced the arrest of a suspected gang member believed to be recruiting near elementary schools last week.

On Monday, Feb. 26, Victoria Police Chief Del Manak told the Greater Victoria School Board that the suspect was allegedly recruiting students in parking lots close to multiple schools.

CIVL Radio asked Constable Art Steel about the possibility of similar activity happening in Abbotsford.

“The school board is very aware and is very proactive in ensuring our schools remain safe in many ways, one of which is eliminating any sort of gang activity, recruitment in schools as best as they can,” said Steel. “They work in partnership with the Abbotsford Police Department.”

Listen to the complete interview for details on what Steel says the AbbyPD is doing to prevent gangs from targeting students, including surveillance, mentorship and recommendations for concerned parents.

The top of a police car with blue and red lights. A decal on the car reads "www.abbypd.ca"

AbbyPD’s ‘Project High Table’ yields three murder arrests

March 9, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

Late last month, the Abbotsford Police Department (AbbyPD) released limited details of arrests and multiple charges laid against three local men, including “conspiracy to commit murder.”

On Feb. 23, AbbyPD announced the arrests as the culmination of an investigation started in 2022, which they dubbed “Project High Table.”

According to a press release, all three men are currently in police custody and are each facing “two counts of Conspiracy to Commit Murder under the Criminal Code.”

CIVL Radio spoke with AbbyPD constable Art Steel who confirmed that the alleged conspiracy is suspected to be gang-related and that the investigation was successful due to collaboration with other law enforcement agencies.

“That is the gist of what ‘Project High Table’ is,” said Steel.

He added, “because this was a very in-depth, lengthy investigation, there are avenues and evidence that was found and gained by police that have since spurned other investigations.”

A screen displaying the front page for research document titled "abbotsforward 2050"

City unveils ‘Abbotsforward 2050’ plan to accommodate rapid growth, shape future development

March 7, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

Last month, the City of Abbotsford announced an update to its official community plan.

In a press release, the city said throughout 2024 changes will be made, “to accommodate and plan for the growth of our community over the next several decades.”

The project has been branded “Abbotsforward 2050,” with plans to address development opportunities for the next 25 years in Abbotsford.

CIVL Radio interviewed Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens for further details of his council’s vision for the city.

Siemens said this is the first major update to the community plan since 2016, when the plan was written to address a projected population of 200,000 residents.

“We’re going to be reaching that 200,000 population a little bit sooner than anticipated,” said Siemens. “I think there was good uptake on our 2016 plan. This is now taking that to the next level.”

Listen to the complete interview for more information.

Minister Adrian Dix is a white middle-aged man standing at a podium which reads "taking action"

BC Health Minister discusses strategies to address growing healthcare demand

February 29, 2024 by Surjit Atwal

Minister of Health Adrian Dix claimed his challenge is an “increase in demand,” as the provincial government explores options to combat the doctor shortage and long healthcare wait times in British Columbia.

“Lots of people are still struggling. We have way more people in the province. The population of Abbotsford in particular…is growing significantly,” Dix told CIVL Radio.

“And so we’re going to have to continue to build out and hire more healthcare professionals to deal with that,” he added.

Dix said while 708 new doctors began work in B.C. from April to December 2023, the province also welcomed 182,000 new residents. He added that there is a plan to introduce a medical school within the Fraser Valley Health Authority to train and retain more doctors for the region.

Listen to the interview with Dix for more details on how his ministry intends to meet critical demands.

A projector screen reading "community engagement" behind a table covered in yellow post-it notes

Abbotsford’s first ‘food charter’: Archway hosts community exchange to envision new food system for city

February 29, 2024 by Charles Brockman

An official “food charter” for the City of Abbotsford is now under development by Archway Community Services. The non-profit social service agency is collaborating with the community to put together a document for eventual endorsement by Abbotsford’s City Council.

Though the food charter will be the first of its kind presented to Abbotsford city council, a 2021 report by the United Nations showed over 60 Canadian cities had already adopted their own.

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, Archway hosted a community exchange event at which Abbotsford’s public were invited to help shape the vision for the city’s charter and food systems.

CIVL Radio spoke with Vicki Lin, the Food Justice Supervisor for Archway. Lin describes a food charter as a statement of “how the community envisions a sustainable, resilient and food-secure food system where everyone has equitable access to the foods they need.”

More information about the food charter can be found at foodjustice.ca

Alex Svarez is a young man in a baseball cap on a well-lit stage holding a microphone.

New Abbotsford comedy shows host roster of local talent

February 27, 2024 by Charles Brockman

Abbotsford is now home to a new series of comedy shows, mainly featuring talent from the Lower Mainland.

The Canadian company Yuk Yuk’s Media, debuted the first of many shows called Abby Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Night on Saturday, Feb. 24.

The series will be performed in a theatre for large audiences, in contrast to the mainly club and bar venues of Abbotsford’s existing comedy scene.

Chilliwack-based comedian Cliff Prang shared his excitement for the series with CIVL Radio after his performance on Saturday night.

“Local comics get a chance to perform on a theatre stage —the place was packed, right? So obviously, there’s an audience for it in Abbotsford. So, give the people what they want,” said Prang.

The next show will take place on May 4, and will likewise feature a lineup of local and visiting Canadian comics, including Abbotsford’s own “up-and-comer” Monique Bellamy.

Matsqui Chief Alice McKay and Minister Gary Anandasangaree stand together in a gymnasium before a podium. Members of the Matsqui nation stand beside them, two in traditional dress are singing and playing a drum

Matsqui First Nation announces $59M settlement for land ‘stolen’ by Canada

February 24, 2024 by Charles Brockman

On Wednesday, Matsqui First Nation announced a $59 million settlement agreement with the Government of Canada for land.

At a press conference for the settlement, Matsqui Chief Alice McKay rejected the word “reconciliation” and said the settlement is instead a recognition of past harms and a commitment to building a relationship between nations going forward.

The settlement was the result of over a decade of work after filing a claim under Canada’s official specific claims policy back in 2010.

One of Matsqui Nation’s governing members, Stanley Morgan, described the nature of the settlement as compensation for Canada’s breach of a land negotiation agreed upon in 1864.

“Before confederation, our tribe had a 9,600 acre reserve. The largest of its kind in Stó:lō Territory. That reserve was reduced by ninety-nine per cent. Ninety-nine per cent of our land was stolen from us,” said McKay.

Morgan told reporters the settlement money will be used for development initiatives on what remains of Matsqui reserve land, North of Abbotsford, and into trusts among the some 230 members of the Nation.

CIVL Radio was welcomed onto Matsqui territory to cover the announcement and spoke with residents about the significance of the settlement.

Tim Cooper PhD, a middle-aged white man seated for a Zoom interview in his home

Setting the record straight on record-setting temperatures in Abbotsford

February 7, 2024 by Charles Brockman

British Columbia experienced some of the most extreme temperatures on record in January, both high and low.

In Abbotsford, arctic winds brought snow and freezing temperatures as low as -16 degrees. Two weeks later, the city became the warmest place in Canada, two days in a row, at +18.4 degrees. According to a website that aggregates data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the latter dates broke Abbotsford’s record for the hottest day in the month of January.

On social media, some discussion of temperature spikes prompted debate about whether climate change could be blamed for the differentials.

To set the record straight, CIVL Radio spoke to Tim Cooper, a climate scientist and educator and former physics professor at the University of the Fraser Valley.

“What we saw here was climate change at its best—at its most extreme,” said Cooper.

Listen to the full interview for his explanations of the phenomenon, specific threats to the Fraser Valley, and what can be done to mitigate the worst effects of climate change.