Abbotsford news

• Final voting for B.C. election is today

  24-10-2026 13:00 via Abbotsford News
  
  Today, Oct. 24, is the final voting day for the provincial election.
  Polls open at 8 a.m. and will close at 8 p.m., local time.
  British Columbians will be heading to the polls to vote for MLAs in 93 ridings across the province.
  The snap election was called Sept. 22 by NDP Leader David Eby after about a week of speculation as the provincial Conservative party dissolved into chaos, and Kerry-Lynne Findlay quit as party leader.
  Lorne Doerkson was named interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives in th
  
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• Victoria tops the nation in DIY Halloween costume searches; Kelowna 3rd, Vancouver 5th

  28-10-2026 14:56 via Abbotsford News
  
  Victoria has a bit of a reputation as a “last-minute city” where folks tend to purchase tickets en route to a show, and Google data shows it’s no different an approach to their Halloween costume preparation.British Columbia has emerged as one of Canada’s biggest hotspots for last-minute costume inspiration, with Victoria ranking first nationally for DIY Halloween costume searches per capita.
  B.C. ranks fifth in Canada for relative interest in “last minute costume”, as national search
  
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• Remembering Jesse: South Island crusader killed during Ukraine animal rescue

  28-10-2026 14:00 via Abbotsford News
  
  The province is mourning a South Island resident who lived and breathed animal rescue – and supporting their humans.“Jesse came into our lives and introduced us to two beautiful souls that in turn rescued us. Every encounter I had with Jesse was uplifting, full of laughter, love and compassion.”The post is just one among an outpouring online, many a refrain of love, compassion and inspiration for the Sooke man who co-founded an animal rescue more than a decade ago. Message upon message acr
  
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• Canucks end 10-game winless skid with thrilling 6-5 OT win over Anaheim Ducks

  28-10-2026 06:09 via Abbotsford News
  
  The skid is over for the Vancouver Canucks.
  Filip Hronek scored on a power play in overtime, capping a furious late rally as the Canucks beat the host Anaheim Ducks 6-5 in NHL action Tuesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
  Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored twice for the Canucks (3-10-1) who had dropped 10 in a row heading into the contest. Liam Öhgren, Brock Boeser and Jamie Oleksiakalso scored for the Canucks, with Boeser and centre Elias Pettersson adding two assists apiece. Leevi Merilainen
  
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• B.C.’s snap election held the day after 2020 class of MLAs secured pensions

  28-10-2026 01:30 via Abbotsford News
  
  By waiting until Oct. 24 to hold the B.C. snap provincial election, NDP Leader David Eby saved several of his party’s MLAs from losing their pensions.
  Had the election been called any sooner — and there was plenty of pressure for Eby to do so as the Conservative Party floundered — several outgoing MLAs would have received no pension.
  Any member of the B.C. legislature first elected on Oct. 24, 2020, and re-elected in 2024, had their pensions vested on Oct. 23, 2026.
  NDP caucus communicatio
  
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• B.C.’s snap election called for one day after 2020 class of MLAs secured pensions

  28-10-2026 01:30 via Abbotsford News
  
  By waiting until Oct. 24 to call the B.C. snap provincial election, NDP Leader David Eby saved several of his party’s MLAs from losing their pensions.
  Had the election been called any sooner — and there was plenty of pressure for Eby to do so as the Conservative Party floundered — several outgoing MLAs would have received no pension.
  Any member of the B.C. legislature first elected on Oct. 24, 2020, and re-elected in 2024, had their pensions vested on Oct. 23, 2026.
  NDP caucus communicatio
  
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• B.C. NDP meeting to select new interim leader this week

  28-10-2026 00:52 via Abbotsford News
  
  The B.C. NDP caucus is meeting this week to select an interim leader to replace David Eby, who announced he will step aside after leading his party to an ill-fated snap election.
  Both outgoing and new members of the legislature plan to meet.
  “Separately, the party will take a clear and honest look at the campaign and set the timing and process for a leadership race in the weeks and months ahead,” a caucus spokesperson said in an emailed statement.
  Outgoing Health minister Ravi Kahlon gave a
  
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• Drawing of lots results in new mayor for Village of Lytton

  28-10-2026 00:01 via Abbotsford News
  
  The Village of Lytton has a new mayor, after a judicial recount confirmed a tied vote for that position and the decision came down to the drawing of lots.
  Jennifer Thoss has been confirmed as the incoming mayor, after the recount and draw on Tuesday (Oct. 27). She and incumbent mayor Denise O’Connor each received 45 votes in the municipal election held on Oct. 17, and a recount produced the same outcome.
  According to CivicInfoBC, there were an estimated 198 eligible voters in Lytton in this el
  
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• Princeton council seat determined by a draw

  27-10-2026 23:58 via Abbotsford News
  
  It came down to a draw, more than a week after the local government election, to determine the final seat in the Princeton town council election.
  The election was held on Oct. 17, but the vote resulted in a tie for the fourth of four councillor seats.
  On Oct. 26, Carrie Kassa, chief election officer for Princeton, declared Tyler Willis elected as councillor following a judicial recount lot draw.
  In the election, held on Oct. 14, Willis and Paula Shackleton were tied for the fourth spot on counci
  
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• Dead humpback whale seen in area of BC Ferries collision

  27-10-2026 23:47 via Abbotsford News
  
  A dead humpback whale has been reported to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) near the site where a whale was struck by BC Ferries’ Queen of Surrey from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay terminals on Oct. 18.
  In an update on Tuesday, Oct. 27, the Marine Education and Research Society said the dead whale was sighted near the Grace Islands just over a week after reports of a ferry striking a whale in the same area.
  “Necropsy anticipated, but it is believed that external injuries indicate ves
  
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• Shuttle Storm Abbotsford aiming to grow badminton with inaugural tournament

  27-10-2026 23:42 via Abbotsford News
  
  The sport of badminton is about to receive its biggest spotlight in Abbotsford ever in a few weeks’ time.
  The inaugural Shuttle Storm Abbotsford 2026 tournament takes over the University of the Fraser Valley Athletic Centre’s North Gym for a full day of action on Saturday, Nov. 21.
  The event is open to 10 different singles and doubles divisions for ages 13 to 50-plus, with a youth and UFV student rate of $30 and an adult rate of $40 per category.View this post on InstagramA post shared by Sh
  
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• 5 Abbotsford and Mission businesses receive Inclusive Employer Awards

  27-10-2026 23:40 via Abbotsford News
  
  Five Abbotsford and Mission businesses were honoured on Oct. 22 for their leadership in inclusive employment.
  More than 200 people attended the eighth annual Inclusive Employer Excellence Awards at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre in Abbotsford.The event was organized by Archway Community Services, Bethesda Christian Association, Communitas Supportive Care Society, Mission Association for Community Living BC and AKG Canada Employment Services.
  The awards received a record number of nomina
  
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• ‘We tried so hard to get help’: Mom of B.C. teen shares mental health struggles

  27-10-2026 23:34 via Abbotsford News
  
  Warning: This story deals with suicide. Those with suicidal thoughts can call or text 9-8-8 to reach BC Crisis Centre. If experiencing a mental health crisis, call 310-6789 or visit crisiscentre.bc.ca.
  Late one Thursday in September, Kyle Webber grabbed the keys to his black Volkswagen Golf and drove into the night from his Surrey home, leaving his family with more questions than answers in the weeks since then.
  A Salish Secondary grad of 2024, the 19-year-old worked at a cellphone store, had st
  
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• Abbotsford rugby player joins Team Canada for Summer Youth Olympic Games

  27-10-2026 22:57 via Abbotsford News
  
  Abbotsford athletes have long been a steady presence in the international rugby scene, with one teenager keeping this trend going by attending the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games.
  Mason Balzer was recently named to the U17 men’s sevens Team Canada roster, making him the first-ever Abbotsford rugby player to compete in the Youth Olympic Games.
  Joining the Yale Secondary athlete in the Senegal competition are 11 other teen rugby stars, three of whom are from B.C.View this post on InstagramA
  
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• Industrial board orders Trigon to halt contractor work during ongoing longshore strike at Prince Rupert port

  27-10-2026 22:54 via Abbotsford News
  
  The International Longshore Warehouse Workers Local 523 welcomed a Canada Industrial Relations Board ruling today that found Trigon Pacific Terminals violated the Canada Labour Code by using contractors to perform work normally done by unionized employees during its ongoing strike.
  In an Oct. 27 order, the board directed Trigon to cease using contractors to perform specified duties within 48 hours of the order’s issuance, unless the union agrees otherwise. The restriction remains in effect for
  
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• Shuswap MLA says ‘better days are ahead’ following landslide Conservative win

  27-10-2026 21:20 via Abbotsford News
  
  For re-elected Salmon Arm-Shuswap MLA David Williams, the BC Conservative Party’s majority win as a source of “hope for the future.”
  Williams spent election night, Saturday, Oct. 24, with his team at the Salmon Arm Legion. When voting results began rolling in, from the riding and throughout the province, the watch party turned to celebration as the Conservatives took a wide lead early on, eventually securing 63 of the British Columbia’s 93 ridings.
  “I never thought for a minute that we
  
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• Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford presents Frozen

  27-10-2026 20:25 via Abbotsford News
  
  Gallery 7 Theatre opens its 2026-27 season with its production of Disney’s Frozen, starting Nov. 6.
  The show runs until Nov. 22 at the Abbotsford Arts Centre, 2329 Crescent Way.
  The Broadway adaptation of the beloved animated film features favourites like Let It Go and For the First Time in Forever, alongside new songs written for the stage, including Monster and I Can’t Lose You.
  In the kingdom of Arendelle, sisters Anna (Ash Nardi) and Elsa (Jaimee Huttema) have grown increasingly distant.
  
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• High school cross country provincial championships coming to Abbotsford

  27-10-2026 19:39 via Abbotsford News
  
  Abbotsford Christian School and the Valley Royals Track and Field Club have joined forced to help bring the 2026 BC High School Cross Country Provincial Championships to Cleabrook Park.
  The event runs on Saturday, Nov. 7 and features senior, junior and para high school athletes.
  ACS is the host school and the Royals are the lead sport technical role for the event.
  Senior athletes run a five-kilometre course, junior runners have a 4.1 km course and para athletes have a two km course. Hundreds are
  
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• Several B.C. rugby players included in Rugby Canada’s Nations Cup squad

  27-10-2026 19:30 via Abbotsford News
  
  Rugby Canada has selected 36 players for the senior men’s team’s final three 2026 Nations Cup matches in November.
  Head coach Stephen Meehan said the squad includes the return of several France-based players and a few who have signed professional contracts in England after a landmark deal with CHAMP Rugby, the country’s second-tier league. One is Courtenay’s Foster DeWitt, who signed with Nottingham Rugby in October. DeWitt was also part of Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup squad earlier th
  
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• ‘Absolutely incredible fish’: Female angler reels in massive sturgeon with Chilliwack guide

  27-10-2026 19:17 via Abbotsford News
  
  A Chilliwack-based fishing guide is calling it one of the largest sturgeons ever caught by a female angler on the Fraser River.
  Sturgeon Slayers was out on a guiding trip with her when she reeled in an untagged 11-foot, 4-inch white sturgeon. It had a 60-inch pectoral girth and a 70-inch belly girth.
  “This was an absolutely incredible fish,” said Kevin Estrada, owner of Sturgeon Slayers. “When you see a fish with these kinds of measurements, you realize how special the Fraser River is. And
  
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• ‘Absolutely incredible fish’: Female angler reels in massive sturgeon in Chilliwack

  27-10-2026 19:17 via Abbotsford News
  
  A Chilliwack-based fishing guide is calling it one of the largest sturgeons ever caught by a female angler on the Fraser River.
  Sturgeon Slayers was out on a guiding trip with her when she reeled in an untagged, 1,200-pound, 11-foot-4-inch white sturgeon in Chilliwack. It had a 60-inch pectoral girth and a 70-inch belly girth.
  “This was an absolutely incredible fish,” said Kevin Estrada, owner of Sturgeon Slayers. “When you see a fish with these kinds of measurements, you realize how speci
  
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• ‘Absolutely incredible fish’: Female angler reels in 1,200-lb. sturgeon in Chilliwack

  27-10-2026 19:17 via Abbotsford News
  
  A Chilliwack-based fishing guide is calling it one of the largest sturgeons ever caught by a female angler on the Fraser River.
  Sturgeon Slayers was out on a guiding trip with her when she reeled in an untagged, 1,200-pound, 11-foot-4-inch white sturgeon in Chilliwack. It had a 60-inch pectoral girth and a 70-inch belly girth.
  “This was an absolutely incredible fish,” said Kevin Estrada, owner of Sturgeon Slayers. “When you see a fish with these kinds of measurements, you realize how speci
  
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• IIO investigation clears Victoria Police officers of wrongdoing in June arrest

  27-10-2026 18:00 via Abbotsford News
  
  The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) has concluded its investigation into the arrest of a man in Victoria last summer.
  The incident that sparked the investigation began around 3 p.m. on June 7 when Victoria Police officers were at a liquor store in a commercial plaza in the 170-block of Wilson Street to arrest a man who was not permitted to be there.
  Officers arrested the man and took him to the police department, but on July 6, the IIO was notified about the incident by the man, wh
  
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• Loss of B.C. shoppers a $64 million hit for Washington State border towns

  27-10-2026 17:48 via Abbotsford News
  
  Businesses in Washington State’s Whatcom County on the border with Canada lost “in the range of” $64 million U.S. from 2024 to 2025 because far fewer B.C. residents are driving south to purchase merchandise, clothing, gas, food and beverages.
  The estimate was published in an online report by Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute (BPRI).
  “Whatcom County’s Cross-Border Retail Economy,” a collection of interactive maps and data charts, shows Canadian shoppin
  
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• 1 person ‘unaccounted for’ after massive blaze destroys former Victoria hotel: police

  27-10-2026 17:48 via Abbotsford News
  
  Amid the lingering smoky smell from the massive Saturday fire, investigators expect to begin delving into the charred debris of a former hotel for a cause and potential victims.
  Victoria police and fire departments are investigating the major fire that tore through a former Travellers Inn at 760 Blanshard Street on Oct. 24.Firefighters arrived just before 4 a.m. to find heavy flames extending up the exterior of the building. Crews began an interior attack, but intense heat and fire conditions fo
  
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• ‘Great example of cooperation’: Mounties help Island resident rescue deer from pool

  27-10-2026 17:40 via Abbotsford News
  
  A deer that found itself in an unusual predicament was safely rescued by police and a resident last week.
  At approximately 8:53 a.m. on Oct. 23, Sidney/North Saanich RCMP received a report from a resident of Downey Road in North Saanich that a deer was trapped in a backyard swimming pool.
  An officer attended the residence and found an adult buck unable to get out of the pool on its own.
  Working together, the officer and the homeowner used a large strap to help guide the deer safely from the wate
  
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• Vancouver Island dog rescuer killed helping animals in war-torn Ukraine

  27-10-2026 16:07 via Abbotsford News
  
  Animal advocates across the province are mourning the loss of a leader, reporting the death of RainCoast Dog Rescue Society founder Jesse Adams.“It’s with a heavy heart that we, RainCoast Dog Rescue Society, have to announce the passing of our founder Jesse Adams,” reads a post from the Victoria Humane Society. “After a life lived in service to animal welfare, Jesse made the ultimate sacrifice to his beliefs on the frontlines of Ukraine.”
  The bond between a person and their pet knows n
  
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• Snow to fall in parts of the Cariboo: Environment Canada

  27-10-2026 15:42 via Abbotsford News
  
  Old man winter is making his first visit of the season to the Cariboo region.
  On Tuesday, Oct. 27, Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Kamloops, Clearwater, Barriere, Ashcroft, 100 Mile Ranch, and north to Anahim Lake due to “heavy banded snow giving locally high accumulations and poor visibility.” Williams Lake, Quesnel, and Prince George were not issued the weather statement.According to the government weather agency, the snow will start on Tuesday afternoon in th
  
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• Impaired driver crashes into utility pole in Abbotsford

  27-10-2026 15:22 via Abbotsford News
  
  A 49-year-old impaired driver was arrested in Abbotsford on Sunday night (Oct. 25) after crashing into a utility pole.According to a news release from the Abbotsford Police Department, the pickup truck driver initially came to the attention of a gang crime unit officer on McCallum Road near Highway 1. The unmarked police car was allegedly sideswiped by the pickup.During an attempted traffic stop, police said the driver initially slowed but then accelerated and fled.Police say the 49-year-old dro
  
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• ‘Clearly a mistake’: Candidates, experts reflect on snap election call

  27-10-2026 00:57 via Abbotsford News
  
  As the dust settles on the 2026 snap B.C. election, the Conservative Party is poised to take two-thirds of the legislative seats, and the NDP is looking for a new leader.
  Ravi Parmar, who eked out a third victory for the NDP in Langford-Highlands, says voters “sent a message” that the snap election was the “wrong decision.”
  “It was clearly a mistake. No question,” Parmar said in a Monday morning interview. “We spent the entire election campaign answering the question, ‘ Why did
  
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