Image: Dave Sidhu via Facebook / Dave Sidhu, who was born and raised in Abbotsford and has been involved in multiple public service causes in Abbotsford, has been selected as the MLA candidate for BC United in the Abbotsford West riding, which is currently held by retiring BC United MLA Michael de Jong. Sidhu is an Abbotsford city councillor.  

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Provincial election

Abbotsford city councillor to run as BC United candidate in Abbotsford West

Apr 4, 2024 | 10:28 AM

ABBOTSFORD — An Abbotsford native who graduated from Abbotsford Senior Secondary and was elected to Abbotsford council in 2021 will run for MLA in this year’s provincial election.

Dave Sidhu, who was born and raised in Abbotsford and has been involved in multiple public service causes in Abbotsford, has been selected as the MLA candidate for BC United in the Abbotsford West riding, which is currently held by retiring BC United MLA Michael de Jong.

““I am passionate about facilitating growth in Abbotsford West and addressing real challenges like the housing and cost-of-living crises, expanding space at the Abbotsford Hospital, finding parking solutions for truck drivers, addressing the growing crime rate and providing support for local businesses,” Sidhu said. “But it’s not just local issues I promise to fight for — across British Columbia I am passionate about fighting to renew school nutrition programs, enhance the business sector, and address the challenges faced by our critical agriculture sector.”

Sidhu will have an intriguing matchup against B.C. Conservative Party candidate Korky Neufeld, a long-serving trustee on the Abbotsford Board of Education. No other candidates have put their name forward for the Abbotsford West riding.

According to a biography on the City of Abbotsford website, Sidhu has been focused on community outreach from an early age. Through his family’s business, he has participated in various fundraising efforts over the years for the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Center, Abbotsford Police Foundation, Salvation Army, Hospice Society, The Canadian Diabetes Association, and The Archway Food Bank, among others. In 2019, he was recognized with the Paul Harris Fellowship recognition, the highest recognition that the Rotary International Club can present to a community member, exemplifying “Service Above Self.”

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Sidhu is the general manager for The Patrika, North America’s first Punjabi-English newspaper. Outside of his duties at the newspaper, he has served the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association for over six years as a director, vice-president, and now president. Through this association, Dave has chaired annual events such as Vaisakhi luncheon, scholarship night for high school students, and various fundraising galas supporting local charities. He also sits on the board of the Fraser Valley Healthcare Foundation Board where he is the chair of the board development committee.

He is also extensively involved in the economic growth of Abbotsford. He is a past director of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce and was recently a part of helping assemble the Abbotsford Business Community Coalition, a business group launched to support local businesses suffering the economic impact of COVID-19. Dave contributed a leading role with a team of community volunteers to help set up the Seva food bank with Archway Community Services, which provides Abbotsford families facing food insecurity with culturally appropriate food.

Sidhu and his wife Ranjna say they are proud to call Abbotsford home and to be part of the vibrant, multicultural community, according to Sidhu’s bio on the city’s website. They and their young daughter, Arinna, enjoy spending time with loved ones, being outdoors and around animals, and taking family trips.