UNIVERSITY OF THE FRASER VALLEY
Leaders gather at UFV for Fraser Valley Economic Summit

More than 200 business, community, university and government leaders packed into Evered Hall on UFV's Abbotsford campus Tuesday, May 21, for the inaugural Fraser Valley Economic Summit (FVES). 

B.C. Premier David Eby was a featured speaker at the Fraser Valley Economic Summit.

B.C. Premier David Eby was a featured speaker at the event, which focused on key pieces of the regional economy, including transportation, housing, food security, and climate resilience. 

"I know that the success of our province economically runs through the Fraser Valley," Eby told the crowd. "Your success means our success." 

In his presentation, Eby acknowledged the significance of agriculture to B.C.'s bottom line, suggesting the sector contributes $3.8 billion in economic impact, emphasizing it is not the only way the Fraser Valley contributes to provincial prosperity.  

"The province as a whole is being guided by an industrial blueprint that includes other key sectors that are core here in the Fraser Valley, like aerospace, ag tech and food processing, and education," he said. 

On the hot topic of housing, Eby mentioned UFV's current construction of new student housing on the Abbotsford campus which, when complete, will add 398 new beds. 

"That gets students out of the rental market in the broader community, reduces traffic, and students get to be on campus where they want to be," Eby said. 

In addition to the Premier, attendees were welcomed by UFV President Dr. Joanne MacLean and heard from keynote speaker Ken Peacock, Senior VP and Chief Economist with the Business Council of British Columbia.  

The FVES featured four panels, three of them including people with UFV ties. 

UFV alumnus Paul Horn, now Mayor of Mission, joined Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove, Abbotsford Mayor Ross Siemens, Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward, and Fraser Valley Regional District Chair Jason Lum on the Local Leadership' panel. Horn noted UFV when he talked about the need to invest in post-secondary education. 

"Where are the workers going to come from? Where are the minds and leaders going to come from if we aren't investing in UFV and post-secondary infrastructure that meets that need," Horn said. "We talk all the time about having more K-12 schools built, but we need to be thinking about post-secondary and the trades as well."  

Dr. Lenore Newman, UFV Food and Agriculture Institute Director, discussed food security and ag tech on the Seeds of Innovation' panel. Dr. James Mandigo, UFV Provost and Vice President Academic, joined a panel focused on investing in the Fraser Valley's workforce and people. 

MacLean was thrilled for UFV to host the inaugural FVES.  

"It was inspiring to see so many community builders and leaders in one room it was a very informative and engaging summit," she said. "Providing a space to connect and collaborate is important, and I'm so pleased that UFV was able to serve as a convenor as we continue engaging learners, transforming lives, and building community." 

FVES was organized by the Fraser Valley Business Coalition, founded by the Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, and Greater Langley chambers of commerce. The coalition represents thousands of local businesses.