Abbotsford

Abbotsford is a federal riding in British Columbia's Fraser Valley, centred on the southeastern portion of the City of Abbotsford. Located about 70 kilometres east of Vancouver, the area sits in the fertile Fraser River floodplain with views of Mount Baker to the south. The riding was established in 2004 and had been a Conservative stronghold since its creation.

Candidates

Ed Fast (Conservative) — Born in Winnipeg and raised in Vancouver, Fast earned his law degree from the University of British Columbia and co-founded the Abbotsford law firm now known as Linley Welwood, where he practised corporate and commercial law for 24 years. He served as an Abbotsford school board trustee from 1985 to 1991 and sat on Abbotsford city council from 1996 to 2005. First elected to Parliament in 2006, he was appointed Minister of International Trade in 2011 and oversaw negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the European Union, and the Canada–Korea Free Trade Agreement. He entered the 2015 campaign as the sitting trade minister.

Peter Njenga (Liberal) — An accountant who operated a small practice in Surrey, Njenga had been involved with both the federal and BC Liberal parties. Originally from Kenya, he had served as a director-at-large for the BC Liberals in the Surrey–Panorama Ridge riding before accepting the federal nomination in Abbotsford.

Jen Martel (NDP) — A lifeguard and swimming instructor, Martel had worked for the City of Abbotsford for seven years and was active in her union. She campaigned on issues including affordable childcare, job opportunities for young Canadians, and action on climate change.

Stephen Fowler (Green Party) and David MacKay (Marxist-Leninist) also stood for election.

About the Riding

Abbotsford is one of British Columbia's most productive agricultural areas, with the Fraser Valley generating a significant share of the province's annual farm revenue despite occupying a small fraction of its land base. Berry farms, dairy operations, and poultry producers are major contributors to the local economy. The city also hosts a significant food processing sector and the Abbotsford International Airport, which handles both commercial and cargo flights. Faith communities play a prominent role in local civic life. With a population of approximately 140,000 in the broader city, Abbotsford serves as a regional centre for the eastern Fraser Valley. Federal issues in 2015 included international trade agreements and their impact on local agriculture, border infrastructure with the United States at the nearby Sumas crossing, flood management along the Fraser River, and transportation links to Metro Vancouver.