Abbotsford – Faster business approvals, safer commercial districts, investments in infrastructure, and a stronger approach to attracting investment are among five priorities the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce is putting before candidates in the 2026 municipal election.
Representing approximately 850 businesses, the Chamber released its municipal election agenda today, shaped by member feedback, ongoing advocacy and direct engagement with local employers.
“Business issues cannot be overlooked in this election,” said Alex Mitchell, CEO of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce. “Our members are creating jobs, making investments and experiencing first-hand where our city is working and where it needs to improve. The Chamber’s role is to make sure that their voice is heard by the next Mayor and Council.”
The Chamber is calling on candidates to commit to practical and measurable action across five priorities:
1. Make Abbotsford the Fastest Place in B.C. to Do Business
Cut red tape. Speed up approvals. Make City Hall work for business.
Abbotsford should compete on speed, certainty and cost.
The Chamber is calling on the City to establish and publicly report service standards for every major commercial and industrial approval, benchmarked annually against comparable B.C. municipalities, with a 90-business-day target for complete, OCP-compliant development permits by the end of 2027.
2. Make Abbotsford Safe, Vibrant and Open for Business
Address street disorder. Strengthen commercial districts. Bring people back to our business areas.
Public safety is economic policy. Businesses should not be expected to absorb persistent theft, vandalism and street disorder as a normal cost of doing business.
The Chamber is calling for a dedicated Business Safety Strategy, public reporting on crime and disorder affecting commercial areas, stronger coordination in responding to repeat commercial offending, and focused action to improve the safety, cleanliness, vitality and activation of Historic Downtown and other commercial districts.
3. Build the Infrastructure to Match Our Ambition
Connect YXX. Move people and goods. Unlock employment land. Invest ahead of growth.
Abbotsford’s infrastructure needs to keep pace with its growing role as a regional economic centre.
The Chamber is calling for a defined pathway to establish direct transit connectivity to Abbotsford International Airport (YXX), better transit to major employment areas, a 10-year Employment Lands Strategy, and long-term planning for the infrastructure needed to support business and employment growth.
4. Create an Economic Development Engine Built for Growth
Compete for investment. Grow businesses. Deliver results.
Abbotsford should compete aggressively for new investment and make it easier for existing businesses to expand here.
The Chamber is calling for a private-sector-aligned economic development model with a clear mandate to attract investment, support business growth and deliver major investment opportunities for the city.
That work should be accountable to publicly reported key performance indicators, including capital investment attracted, jobs created and retained, businesses attracted and expanded, investment opportunities converted and employment lands activated.
Economic development should also lead targeted strategies around Abbotsford’s competitive strengths, including agriculture and agri-food, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and aviation, transportation and logistics, and emerging industries.
5. Close Abbotsford’s Amenity Gap
Build the places and experiences that attract talent, visitors and investment.
Amenities are economic infrastructure. A city competing for workers, entrepreneurs, investment, conferences, sporting events and visitors needs the infrastructure and experiences to attract and retain them.
The Chamber is calling for a clear pathway to unlock new full-service hotel and conference capacity, a coordinated major-events strategy, and investment in sports and recreation infrastructure as drivers of economic development.
“Abbotsford is no longer a small city on the edge of Metro Vancouver. We are a major regional economic centre with a globally significant agricultural sector, an international airport, and growing manufacturing and aerospace industries,” Mitchell said.
“Our challenge is making sure our infrastructure, services and ambition keep pace. We want Abbotsford to be the most competitive place in B.C. to invest, build and grow a business, and these five priorities provide a practical roadmap to get there.”
Taking the Business Agenda to Candidates
The Chamber will take its agenda directly to candidates throughout the election campaign, asking those seeking a seat on Mayor and Council to respond to specific commitments under each of the five priorities.
Candidate responses will be published later in September, allowing businesses and residents to see where candidates stand on the issues affecting Abbotsford’s economic future.
The Chamber will also host its Council Candidate Mingle and Mayoral Debate on October 7, in partnership with the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board with support from the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association and Fraser Valley Chapter of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. The event will provide businesses and residents with an opportunity to meet Council candidates and hear directly from those seeking to serve as Abbotsford’s next Mayor.
“We’re not telling people how to vote. We’re making sure business has a strong voice in the election,” Mitchell added. “We’ll put the issues our members are raising directly to candidates and, after Election Day, work with the next Mayor and Council to turn commitments into action.”
Businesses and residents can explore the Chamber’s five election priorities, follow candidate responses and access election information at abbotsfordchamber.com/
