Abbotsford

Abbotsford is a federal riding in British Columbia's eastern Fraser Valley, centred on the City of Abbotsford — the largest city by area in the province, stretching from the Canada–United States border northward to the Fraser River. Located roughly 70 kilometres east of Vancouver, the city sits in the fertile Fraser River floodplain with the volcanic cone of Mount Baker visible to the south.

Candidates

Ed Fast (Conservative) — Born in Winnipeg and raised in Vancouver, Fast graduated from UBC's law school in 1985 and co-founded the Abbotsford law firm originally known as Fast Welwood, now Linley Welwood, where he practised corporate and commercial law for over two decades. He served as a school board trustee beginning in 1985 and on Abbotsford city council from 1996 to 2005, including a stint as deputy mayor. First elected to Parliament in 2006, he was appointed Minister of International Trade in 2011 under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and oversaw negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada–EU trade agreement.

Seamus Heffernan (Liberal) — Originally from Newfoundland, Heffernan moved to Abbotsford and earned a master's degree in criminology from the University of the Fraser Valley. He worked as an author and as constituency manager for Jati Sidhu, the Liberal MP in the neighbouring riding of Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon.

Madeleine Sauvé (NDP) — An Abbotsford resident and IATSE 891 film and television worker, Sauvé was active in her union, working to develop training for new members and to support inclusive and fair workplaces. She brought her experience as a labour advocate to the campaign.

Stephen Fowler (Green Party) — A local teacher who had also run for the Greens in the riding in 2015, Fowler identified climate change as the top concern for Abbotsford constituents.

Locke Duncan (People's Party) and Aeriol Alderking (Christian Heritage Party) also sought election.

About the Riding

Abbotsford is one of British Columbia's most productive agricultural areas. The city's farms sit on some of the most intensely cultivated land in North America, producing a substantial share of the province's dairy, chicken, turkey, and eggs. Berry farms, poultry operations, and food processing facilities are major contributors to the local economy, and agriculture supports a significant portion of local employment.

Beyond farming, the city benefits from its position along the Trans-Canada Highway corridor and its proximity to the U.S. border at the Sumas crossing. The Abbotsford International Airport handles both commercial and cargo flights, serving as a regional hub. The University of the Fraser Valley, with its main campus in the city, is an important institutional employer and educational anchor. Faith communities play a significant role in civic life, reflecting the area's Mennonite and Dutch Reformed heritage alongside a large and growing South Asian community that has transformed the commercial landscape of the city's west side. Federal issues in 2019 included international trade agreements and their impact on local agriculture, border infrastructure, flood management along the Fraser River, and transportation connections to Metro Vancouver.