‘I’ve been on council for 28 years’ Abbotsford’s long-standing councillor seeks re-election

ABBOTSFORD — Patricia Ross has served on Abbotsford city council for almost three decades and is once again seeking re-election on Oct. 15.

“I’ve been on council for 28 years now, I’ve been vice-chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District for the last two terms, and I’ve served on the FVRD for 25 years now,” said Ross.

She is currently president of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association and chair of Gro YourBiz—a mentoring and advisory board for women in business in the Fraser Valley. The long-time councillor recalled a time where it was a little more challenging for women in politics.

“It was certainly more difficult for women back then. It was harder for us to get funding, get our voice out there, and get respected,” she said in reference to 1994 when she was first elected. “It was hard to recruit women to vote and to convince people to vote for you. And I wish I could say it’s completely changed today, but it’s still more difficult for women for sure.”