Population: 195,726 people (including South and West Asians, Arabs and Afghans)

Located in the province of British Columbia, the Fraser Valley region includes the cities of Abbotsford, Chilliwack, and Mission. British Columbia borders the province of Alberta, the Pacific Ocean, and the American state of Washington. British Columbia is one the most diverse provinces in Canada and home to a large immigrant population throughout the province. The province has four major universities (University of the Fraser Valley, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, and University of Victoria).

Abbotsford is the largest municipality in British Columbia with a total area of 389 km2. Known as “the city in the country”, Abbotsford has warm summers with an average daily high of 24°C in July and moderate winters with an average daily low of 0°C in December. Year-round events that occur all over Abbotsford such as the Abbotsford Airshow, music festivals, theatrical productions, winter festival, farmers market and many other events. The City of Abbotsford enjoys over 2,500 acres of green space with over 150 parks.

The Fraser Valley region is considered a major agriculture centre of British Columbia. Approximately 72% of the land is located within the Agricultural Land Reserve, making agriculture a significant part of the community. Other major economic sectors include aerospace, manufacturing & technology, and agricultural value-added processing. As of January 2023, the official minimum wage in British Columbia is $15.65 per hour. The Fraser Valley region is an ideal destination to advance careers, do business, and study. A variety of schools, daycares, and after school programs are available. In Canada, students typically attend school from kindergarten to grade 12, when they then have options for post-secondary education or entering the workforce.

Abbotsford has a range of sports clubs and organizations offering a variety of activities including cricket, soccer/football, squash, hockey and much more. One of the main recreation organizations is the City of Abbotsford. The two main soccer/football clubs are Abbotsford Soccer Association and Abbotsford United Soccer Club.

Housing costs vary. On average, purchasing a single family house could cost $1,285,360. Renting a two bedroom apartment could cost approximately $1,279 per month. To find out more about renting and tenants’ rights, visit the Government of British Columbia.