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Abbotsford, British Columbia

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Abbotsford is a Canadian city in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the 5th largest municipality in British Columbia and the 37th largest in Canada, home to 128,940 people (2006). Its Census Metropolitan Area numbers 159,020 people (23rd largest in Canada in 2006).

Abbotsford is the third most ethnically diverse city in Canada, after Toronto and Vancouver. It is also home to Abbotsford International Airport, which serves as a reliever airport to Vancouver International Airport.

The municipality shares its southern boundary with the Canada-US border, across from Sumas, Washington. In Canada, it is bordered by Langley to the west, Mission to the north, and Chilliwack to the east. Most of Abbotsford has dramatic views of Mount Baker, which is less than 100km from the city.

History

The first stage in Abbotsford's colonial development occurred when the Royal Engineers surveyed the area in response to the Gold Rush along the Fraser River in 1858. This led to the building of Old Yale Road, the first transportation route to link the Fraser Valley. Settlement continued and tobacco, milk and butter was produced by the late 1860s. In 1891 the Canadian Pacific Railway built a line through the area that connected Mission with Sumas. BC Electric Railway arrived soon after in 1910, ensuring a rapid rate of growth that has continued to this day.

The most notable natural disaster to ever hit Abbotsford was a major flood in 1948.

Government

The City of Abbotsford uses a Council-Manager system of local government. The current Mayor and Council were elected on November 19, 2005. The current mayor is George Ferguson. The Abbotsford flag and coat of arms are the same, featuring straight, diagonal crosses representing Abbotsford as at a "crossroads". At the centre is a strawberry blossom, symbolizing the local berry industry, and the Fraser River.

The flag of Abbotsford was originally blue in colour. The change to green was initiated in 1995 when the District of Abbotsford and the District of Matsqui amalgamated to create the City of Abbotsford.

Demographics

Abbotsford is the third most ethnically diverse city in Canada, and it now leads the country with the highest proportion of people of South Asian origin per capita, according to results from the 2001 census.

Abbotsford's largest religious group is Christian at 61.4%, with most belonging to Protestant and Anabaptist (Mennonite Brethren and Mennonite Church) denominations. The second largest religious group is Sikh, comprising 13.4% of the population. The city contains the first Sikh temple built in Canada, which is also one of the oldest in North America.

The largest ethnic group is Caucasian, comprising approximately 79.6% of the population. The largest ethnic minority group in Abbotsford is South Asian (countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka) comprising 14.9% of the population. In third place are Aboriginals, at 2.2% of the population.

English is the primary language spoken, with 71.2% of the population having it as their first language. Punjabi is the second most spoken language.

23.8% of the city's population was born outside of Canada. Of that percentage, a majority is from South Asia, followed by groups from Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Latin America. Immigrants from Europe include those of English, German, Dutch, Scottish, Irish, Norwegian, Icelandic and Swedish backgrounds.

Quick Facts:

  • Population (2006 Estimate): 128,940
  • % Change (2001-2006): 7.2
  • Resident labour force (2001): 58,140
  • Dwellings (2006): 45,286
  • Area (km²): 359.36
  • Density (persons per km²) (2006): 344.7
  • Gross income of population (2002): $2,337,376,686
  • Average household income (2001): $56,165
  • Average individual income (2001): $26,794

Living

Approximately 92% of employed residents work in the city or in neighbouring communities. Agriculture is Abbotsford's main industry, followed closely by transportation, manufacturing and retail. There is also a small, but growing aerospace industry led by Conair Group Inc., and Cascade Aerospace. Abbotsford also is home to three federal prisons, each of which employs between 200 and 500 officers and support staff.

Education

Public elementary, middle, and secondary schools are administered by School District 34 Abbotsford.

Post Secondary institutions in the city include the University College of the Fraser Valley, two religious institutions: Columbia Bible College and Summit Pacific College, as well as career colleges such as Sprott Shaw Community College, Vancouver Community College, CTC Changes Training Centre and CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care.

There is also a virtual school called "Abbotsford Virtual School" that offers more than 30 semestered online courses. This school offers a unique Animation and Modeling program that teaches students aspects of the video gaming industry.

Police

The City of Abbotsford has its own municipal police force. The Abbotsford Police Department is one of eleven other municipal police forces in British Columbia. It was officially formed in 1995 when Matsqui and Abbotsford amalgamated to become the City of Abbotsford. Prior to the amalgamation, Matsqui was patrolled by the Matsqui Police and Abbotsford by the RCMP. During the referendum citizens elected to keep a municipal police force.

As of 2006, the Abbotsford Police Department employs nearly 200 officers and 80 civilian employees. It is the third largest municipal police force in British Columbia (behind Vancouver and Victoria).

As of July 20, 2006, the Abbotsford metropolitan area (which includes Mission) has the highest property crime rate and the sixth highest violent crime rate for cities with a population of 100,000 to 500,000 in Canada.

Transportation

Abbotsford is served by a regional transit system (ValleyMAX) operated by Township Transit Inc., with funding from the City of Abbotsford and the District of Mission. Major transportation routes leading into Abbotsford are the Trans-Canada Highway (#1), Abbotsford-Mission Highway (#11), and the Fraser Highway (#1A). Access to the United States is via the Huntingdon border crossing.

Abbotsford is served by the Abbotsford International Airport, located in the southern part of the municipality. It is one of the fastest growing commercial airports in western Canada, and acts as a reliever airport for Vancouver International Airport. WestJet provides regular scheduled service from the airport, due to its close proximity to Vancouver's eastern suburbs. The airport is also the home of the annual Abbotsford International Airshow.

Sports

Abbotsford is home to the Valley Royals Track & Field Club. Among the club's members are Canadian Olympian Stephanie McCann (pole vault) and 2004 World Junior Champion high jumper Michael Mason. The Valley Royals are led by their longtime head coach Gerry Swan - a legendary coach of national fame - and are based at the Jane and Gerry Swan Track at Rotary Stadium.

Abbotsford Minor Hockey is one of the largest associations in British Columbia with more than 1000 players registered from the ages of 5 through 18 years old. This association is recognized by many as a model and a leader in the development of minor hockey programs, and several Abbotsford-raised players have gone on to the highest levels of this sport. In the 2005-2006 hockey season, Abbotsford's Bantam AAA team were ultimately the Western Canadian Bantam Champions, and eight individual players from this team (the most ever) were selected in the 2006 WHL Bantam Draft. (http://www.abbotsfordminorhockey.com/ )

Abbotsford is the home of the Abbotsford Pilots of the Pacific International Junior Hockey League (Junior B level). Abbotsford was also considered as one of possible homes for the Chilliwack Chiefs, who were forced to move due to a new WHL expansion team, the Chilliwack Bruins. The team required a new facility and were given access to the Prospera Centre (former home of the Chiefs). Abbotsford would have been home of the Chiefs under one condition - a new arena for them. The current largest arena in Abbotsford is M.S.A arena (home of the Pilots) which currently seats just over 400. Failing to build a new rink, the Chiefs moved to Langley.

Abbotsford has a superior Youth soccer program, winning 2 national titles, and numerous provincial titles. It is also home of soccer all stars Sophie Schmidt and Brad Petoom. Abbotsford is home to the Abbotsford Rangers of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League, the highest level of amateur soccer in North America.

Abbotsford is home to many high school sports, with Abbotsford Collegiate, W.J. Mouat Secondary, Rick Hansen Secondary, Robert Bateman Secondary, Yale Secondary, and the Mennonite Educational Institute, among others, doing very well in track and field, volleyball, basketball, and football. These schools have consistently ranked among the highest in the province.

Abbotsford's rugby club supports three men's teams, two women's teams, U19 men's and women's, U15 U16 and U17 men's, and a great mini rugby program. Many of Abbotsford's players have gone on to play for Canada, such as Erin Lockwood, Ryan McWhinney, Scott Hunter, Bryn Keys, and Brodie Henderson (http://www.abbotsfordrugby.com/).

Abbotsford is also home to the Canadian Junior Football League's Abbotsford Air Force, who play at Rotary Stadium. However, the Air Force have fallen to non-playing status for the 2007 season.

Construction has recently started on a 7,500 seat sport & entertainment centre.

Communities

Neighbouring cities and towns

 
  North: Mission, Matsqui Main 2, Fraser Valley H  
West: Langley Township
Aldergrove 		Abbotsford
Abbotsford completely surrounds Upper Sumas 6 		East: Chilliwack, Fraser Valley E, Yarrow
  South: Sumas, Washington  

Notable Residents

Sister cities

References

External links



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Last updated on Thursday March 13, 2008 at 17:33:39 PDT (GMT -0700)
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