Mayor and Council are actively involved in our community and they represent the City at local events, openings, tours, and meetings with senior levels of government and other stakeholders. As your elected representatives, Council also sets policy and governance direction for the growth and development of our community. View some of the important work being done by your City Council on this webpage, which includes Council Briefs, Blogs as well as photos of Council out and about in our city!
Council Briefs are posted monthly and share highlights from recent Council Meetings.
Council Blogs share some of the important work Council is doing in the community including key initiatives and investment announcements, significant events and notable meetings.
April 26, 2024 - National Day of Mourning
A memorial ceremony was held at City Hall for the National Day of Mourning for workers injured or killed on the job. Councillor Loewen emceed the event, which featured speakers discussing the importance of workplace safety.
April 25, 2024 - JAMES plant tour
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Gibson and Warkentin joined Mission Mayor Horn and Councillors Davies, Gill, Hamilton and Plecas on a tour of the Joint Abbotsford Mission Environmental Systems water treatment plant.
April 22, 2024 - Earth Day clean-up at Mill Lake Park
Centennial Park Elementary School French immersion students celebrated Earth Day by picking up litter at Mill Lake Park. Mayor Siemens tagged along to help with the clean-up efforts.
April 18, 2024 – Sikh Heritage Month proclamation
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Driessen, Chahal and Warkentin (not pictured) visited Abbotsford’s historic Gur Sikh Temple, where Premier Eby proclaimed April to be Sikh Heritage Month.
April 17, 2024 - Skills Canada BC Provincials Trades and Technology Competitions
More than 600 competitors from across BC descended on Tradex to compete at the 30th annual Skills Canada BC Provincials Trades and Technology Competitions. Mayor Siemens brought greetings from the City and highlighted the value of skilled trades and technologies to our economy.
April 17, 2024 - Abbotsford ACCESS Agency Awareness and Connections Breakfast
The City’s Abbotsford ACCESS initiative, a network of local service providers focused on addressing complex social issues with a multi-agency approach, met to discuss shelter and housing challenges in our community. Mayor Siemens attended the event and spoke about the importance of working together to address homelessness.
April 12, 2024 - Bradner Flower Show
It’s not officially springtime in the Fraser Valley until the Bradner Flower Show comes to town! Mayor Siemens was on hand to help kick off the event at Bradner Hall.
April 11, 2024 - Battle of the Badges
Mayor Siemens dropped the puck at the inaugural Battle of the Badges charity hockey game, which saw Abbotsford Police Department beat Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service.
April 10, 2024 - Gathering Markit
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Ross and Gibson toured the Gathering Markit at Cascade Community Church. The non-profit grocery store provides food and meal kits for families facing short-term financial challenges.
April 10, 2024 - Annual ACLN Prayer Breakfast
Mayor Siemens was one of the speakers at the annual Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network Prayer Breakfast. Acknowledging all the service and outreach work that takes place by so many groups in our community, Mayor expressed his thanks, and shared how his faith shapes how he addresses tough issues facing our city.
April 10, 2024 - Annual ACLN Prayer Breakfast
Councillors Loewen, Chahal, Ross, Driessen, Warkentin, Gibson and Sidhu joined community partners, first responders, school board trustees and faith leaders for the annual Abbotsford Christian Leaders Network Prayer Breakfast.
April 6, 2024 - 102nd annual Chilliwack Plowing Match
Congratulations Deputy Mayor Driessen! She represented Abbotsford in the Community Leaders’ Class at the 102nd annual Chilliwack Plowing Match where she finished in first place and was presented with a plaque by Jim Sache.
April 4, 2024 - UFV 50th anniversary
Mayor Siemens speaking at the University of the Fraser Valley’s 50th anniversary celebration.
April 3, 2024 - CityStudio Hubbub 13 Award Celebration
Mayor Siemens presented awards to the winners of the 13th CityStudio Hubbub. The UFV student projects covered range of topics related to accessibility, climate change and commercial truck parking.
April 3, 2024 - Abbotsford Plasma Donor Centre one-year anniversary
Deputy Mayor Driessen spoke at the one-year anniversary of the Abbotsford Plasma Donor Centre.
March 30, 2024 - Pakenham Cup
Langley United beat Columbus FC 3-2 to win the Fraser Valley Soccer League’s Pakenham Cup, Canada’s oldest soccer trophy. Deputy Mayor Driessen was on-hand to present the cup to the winning team.
March 23, 2024 - Purple Day Walk for Epilepsy Awareness
Deputy Mayor Driessen attended the Centre for Epilepsy and Seizure Education in BC’s Purple Day Walk for Epilepsy Awareness at Mill Lake Park.
March 13, 2024 - Seniors Coffee Social
Mayor Siemens attended a Seniors Coffee Social event at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre. He discussed Council’s Strategic Plan and took questions from the audience.
March 9, 2024 - Golden Tree Farmworkers’ Memorial
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Chahal, Sidhu and Barkman attended the annual Golden Tree Farmworkers’ Memorial. This meaningful event honours Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, Amarjit Kaur Bal and Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, who died on March 7, 2007 when their work van crashed on Highway 1.
March 9, 2024 - BC Short Track Speed Skating Championships
Councillor Barkman helped kick off the BC Short Track Speed Skating Championships, which took place over the weekend at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre.
February 25, 2024 - Step Up 4 Cardiac Health
Deputy Mayor Driessen spoke at the Step Up 4 Cardiac Health stair-climb fundraiser for Abbotsford Regional Hospital’s cardiac unit, and Councillor Warkentin joined participants to tackle the 751+ steps at Abbotsford Centre.
February 23, 2024 - Live to Give fundraiser
Deputy Mayor Driessen spoke during the opening ceremonies of Yale Secondary’s annual Live to Give fundraiser, this year supporting the BC Children’s Hospital.
February 23, 2024 - Mayor attends Model UN conference
Mayor Siemens addressed students and discussed the importance of public service at the closing of the Model UN conference at Abbotsford Christian School.
February 22, 2024 - Mayor visits Margaret Stenersen Elementary
Mayor Siemens visited his old school to talk to Grade 5 French immersion students about the municipal government.
February 15, 2024 - Mayor Siemens meets with students
At Central Heights Church Mayor Siemens talked to students from Regent Christian Online Academy about how the municipal government works and what it’s like to be mayor. He also took questions from the audience.
February 14, 2024 - $76.6M in upgrades coming to Barrowtown Pump Station
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Driessen, Chahal, Gibson and Barkman (Warkentin and Sidhu not pictured) joined Premier Eby, Ministers Ma and Alexis, Semá:th Councillor Ganzeveld and volunteers for a $76.6M funding announcement.
February 12, 2024 - Federal housing funding announcement
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Barkman, Driessen, Gibson and Warkentin, joined Minister Sajjan to announce an agreement between the federal government and the City of to fast track more than 730 new housing units over the next three years.
February 2, 2024 - Pizza lunch with Hubbub 12 winners
Deputy Mayor Driessen shared a celebratory pizza lunch with some of the winners of CityStudio Hubbub 12. Thanks again to all the UFV students who participated and congratulations to the winning teams.
January 29, 2024 - Mayor Siemens discusses flood alert with media
Following a weekend of heavy rain and flood warnings, Mayor Siemens met with members of media to discuss the critical need for funding support from senior levels of government for enhanced long-term flood mitigation in Abbotsford.
January 12, 2024 - Mainland Milk Producers Association Annual General Meeting
Deputy Mayor Barkman joined members of the Mainland Milk Producers Association for their Annual General Meeting at the Clarion Hotel and spoke about the importance of the dairy industry to Abbotsford.
January 4, 2024 - AbbyPD swearing-in ceremony
Mayor Siemens was on hand to welcome a quartet of new recruits at an AbbyPD swearing-in ceremony at Matsqui Centennial Auditorium.
December 15, 2023 - Salvation Army Christmas lunch
Mayor Siemens and Chief Silver helped the Salvation Army serve a delicious Christmas lunch at Cascade Community Church.
December 13, 2023 - Civic achievement awards at the Reach Gallery Museum
The City presented Ann Penner with the Order of Abbotsford, Nick Taylor with the Community Champion Achievement Award and the Board of Directors of the 2023 Abbotsford 55+ BC Games with the Community Recognition Award.
December 12, 2023 - Menorah lighting at the Civic Plaza
Deputy Mayor Barkman marked the sixth night of Chanukah with a ceremonial menorah lighting at the Civic Plaza.
December 12, 2023 - Mayor’s ride-along with AbbyPD
Mayor Siemens joined Const. Elliot Westergaard of the Abbotsford Police Department for a ride-along.
December 11, 2023 - 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Card Contest
Once again, Abbotsford students impressed us with their talent and creativity in the 2023 Mayor’s Christmas Card Contest.
December 7, 2023 - Mayor’s Annual Address to the Business Community
Mayor Siemens spoke to members of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce at his 2023 Annual Address to the Business Community.
December 6, 2023 - CityStudio Hubbub 12 Award Celebration
UFV students presented their projects as part of the 12th CityStudio Hubbub. Mayor Siemens helped judge the entries and presented awards to the winners.
November 30, 2023 - CNIB Mobile Hub
Deputy Mayor Barkman visited the CNIB Mobile Hub at its stop in Abbotsford. The CNIB Mobile Hub brings free recreational and social activities, hands-on technology training, and fun in-person educational opportunities for blind or partially-sighted people.
November 18, 2023 - Winter Jubilee
Mayor Siemens joined revelers at this year’s Winter Jubilee.
November 16, 2023 - Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
Mayor Siemens spoke to members of the city’s business community at the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce Business Awards.
November 16, 2023 - Heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell maintenance facility announced for Abbotsford
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Warkentin and Chahal on site for a provincial announcement of a new pilot program that will bring heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks to BC, and with it an innovative maintenance facility to Abbotsford.
November 3, 2023 - Kilgard Business Park opening
Mayor Siemens and Councillors Driessen, Chahal and Loewen joined Chief Silver at the opening of Kilgard Business Park.
October 25, 2023 - City wins three awards for workplace health and safety
The BC Municipal Safety Association presented Mayor Siemens and members of the City’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee with three awards, in recognition of the City’s outstanding commitment to occupational health and safety.
October 23, 2023 - Mayor and Council meet with Mathxwí Chief and Council
Mathxwí Chief and Council joined Abbotsford City Council to share a meal and get to know each other as leadership teams with hopes of collaborating on ways to advance the community and address important issues impacting all residents.
October 20, 2023 - Mayor and regional leaders sign Transboundary Flood Initiative
Mayor Siemens joined with leaders from BC, Washington State, Semá:th, Mathxwí and Leq’á:mel First Nations, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, and Whatcom County to sign the new Transboundary Flood Initiative, a collaborative framework designed to find and implement long-term flood mitigation and habitat restoration solutions to protect our communities, on both sides of the border.
October 13, 2023 - Grounded Innovation: Agriculture and Food Summit
Mayor Siemens spoke at the Grounded Innovation: Agriculture and Food Summit at University of the Fraser Valley.
September 25, 2023 - BC Urban Mayors’ Caucus breakfast
Mayor Siemens and the rest of the BCUMC had breakfast with Premier Eby and Municipal Affairs Minister Kang.
August 23, 2023 - 55+ BC Games thank-you plaque
The Abbotsford 55+ BC Games Board of Directors presented Mayor Siemens with a thank-you plaque recognizing the City for its support of the event.
August 11, 2023 - The Snowbirds perform in Abbotsford
Mayor Siemens posed with members of the Snowbirds during their trip to Abbotsford.
May 18, 2023 - CityStudio Hubbub 11 Award Celebration
Mayor Siemens meets with the UFV Students who won an award at the Winter 2023 CityStudio Hubbub 11.
May 11, 2023 - Fast Air breaks ground at Abbotsford International Airport
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce CEO Alex Mitchell, MLA Bruce Banman, Mayor Siemens, contractor Bill Vandenberg and Fast Air CEO Dylan Fast break the ground at the new Fast Air facility at Abbotsford International Airport.
April 22, 2023 - Eco Farm event
Councillors attend name change event. Eco Dairy is now Eco Farms.
April 11, 2023 - Abbotsford Plasma Donor Centre grand opening
Mayor Siemens, MLA Banman and Abbotsford Plasma Donor Centre staff at the grand opening.
April 28, 2023 - WorkSafeBC Day of Mourning
Councillor Dave Sidhu speaks at The Day of Mourning to honour and remember those who have lost their lives in workplace accidents and to renew our commitment to making workplaces safe.
April 5, 2023 - Mayor's visit to Abbotsford Christian School
Mayor Siemens visited Nancy Worsley-Brown’s Grade 2 class at Abbotsford Christian School.
April 1, 2023 - Annual Plowing Event
Councillor Ross wins first place in the "Mayor's Class" race at the annual Plowing Match held in Chilliwack at the Greendale Acres.
February 15, 2023 – Dean’s Conversation Series at UFV
Mayor Siemens spoke at the Dean’s Conversation Series: Community Engagement and Higher Education, organized by Chris Schinckus, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Computing at UFV.