BC's Community Hub

10/11/2026

So the Twilight Drive-In returned from the dead to get the mayor out of office. Consider that karma for driving the drive-in out of business.

10/10/2026

10/09/2026

Mike Rauch is the next candidate to respond to our email. Here is what he said:

“Hi there.

Thank you for reaching out and for your interest in the candidates. Organizations like yours who engage are providing a valuable service to inform voters of candidate positions.

My answers to the questions are below.

Thank you,

Mike.

Mike Rauch, Abbotsford School Trustee”

Question 1: Are you in favour or against SOGI 123?

“There are many resources that might be helpful tools for teachers, particularly when situations involving sexual orientation or gender identity arise in the classroom. I support teacher autonomy and know that teachers work hard to select resources appropriate for their students and learning objectives.

At the same time, some parents consider sexual orientation and gender identity to be topics related to human sexuality. AP211 identifies human sexuality as a sensitive topic, and I believe the district should respect parents who would appreciate knowing when these topics are being addressed in the classroom.

This is not about limiting discussion or excluding anyone. It is about transparency and building trust with families, while giving parents an opportunity to understand and discuss important topics with their children in a way that reflects their age, maturity and family context. I believe openness and respectful dialogue are the best ways to reduce division and strengthen relationships between schools and families.”

Question 2: Do you support or are against land acknowledgements in schools?

“I understand that land acknowledgements are meaningful to many, and I respect their role in recognizing Indigenous history, culture and rights. I believe they are most meaningful when they are personal, authentic and reflect the person or organization delivering them, rather than being mandated or becoming a routine or perfunctory exercise.

Our schools have an important opportunity to help students understand our history while also looking forward and building stronger relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. I support approaches that bring people together, focus on what we share, and create meaningful opportunities for all students and communities to thrive.”

Question 3: If elected, will you commit to keeping the term disability in schools when referring to disabled students?

“I would be happy to support accurate and respectful terminology in our district. We sometimes group different communities into one category, which can overlook their unique needs and experiences. Clear, accurate language matters, and the people most affected should have a meaningful voice in how they are represented. Nothing about people should be decided without listening to the people it affects.”

10/09/2026

Raj Patara has sent in another response to our email answering the land acknowledgment question.

“My apologies,
I just realized that I forgot to send in my answer to the land acknowledgment question.

2) I believe land acknowledgements are an important first step in recognizing and respecting the original peoples of this land and acknowledging the history that existed here long before colonization.
For me, this is personal. My people know all too well what colonization has done to communities in India — how it can affect culture, identity, language, traditions, relationships with land, and the generations that follow. I carry an understanding of that history, and it has shaped how I see the importance of recognizing the experiences of Indigenous peoples here.

Because of my own history and experience, I understand that acknowledging colonization is not about simply looking backward. It is about understanding how the past continues to shape communities today. It is about recognizing whose land we are on, listening to the people whose ancestors have cared for these lands since time immemorial, and creating awareness about their histories and experiences.

I also believe a land acknowledgement should be more than words. For me, it is a starting point — the beginning of building genuine relationships, creating opportunities for partnership, learning from Indigenous communities, and taking meaningful action within our community.

I was not the first person of this land, and I acknowledge that with humility and respect. My own people's experience with colonization has taught me the importance of recognizing history rather than allowing it to be forgotten.

For me, that is why land acknowledgements matter. They create an opportunity to recognize the past, understand the present, and build better relationships for the future.

Best

Raj

Sent from my iPhone”

10/09/2026

Our neurodivergent social connection from yesterday! Had about 12 people show up this week, an improvement over last week. We had a social discussion, colouring as well as a few games like checkers to play. We also had more people from the LGBTQ+ community attend this week which is great. Stay tuned for tomorrow for when we announce next weeks event, it’s either going to be at the clubhouse again or at Willow View Farms depending on what our members vote for.

10/08/2026

Doris For Council is the first city counsellor candidate to respond to our email. Here is what she said:

“Good morning,
Thank you for taking the time to provide the questions!

Public transit needs to be effective. I don’t believe our public transit is. We need bus service to the airport, and I would like to see busses going to Gloucester (even though that is not in Abbotsford) as that is a large employment hub. You don’t use the bus if it doesn’t get you to where you need to be at the time that you need to be there.

With respect to the roads, we have competing needs for them. The bike lanes have been put in place to accommodate people who are on bikes; that narrows the area we have to work with. If we were to put in dedicated bus lanes, cars would have nowhere to go. We are a commuter community – unless you live next door to your work and a grocery store, it’s pretty hard to not use a car. And the provincial government has no appetite to bring Skytrain out this far. However, I would push for better connections between the cities, so that people are able to take the bus and reach their destination.

I am one of the ones saying Abbotsford is no fun. I agree that there is very little to do in Abbotsford. But the city cannot run businesses. What they can do is make it easy for “fun” businesses to locate here. In order for any business to invest in locating here, they have to believe there is an opportunity to make a profit, so they need customers! I would, as a councillor, not put roadblocks in their way, and encourage zoning to allow for “fun” businesses to be included.

Your third question my answer is I don’t know. All people have the right to freedom of speech. If you want the right to be able to have a pride parade, then you also have to allow the right for people who feel differently to have a parade, or an event. I am not happy if anyone feels that they are not safe in Abbotsford, and I believe that is the bigger issue, not who gets to wave a flag in public.

AI is not going away. The funny thing we found in this campaign is it doesn’t work! Anything we used AI in to help us got no traction. But the pictures and videos that were real people got lots of views. We use certain aspects of AI every day in our work, but it doesn’t remove people, it just changes what they focus on. I like working with people, not machines.

Anyone who wants to locate here has to present their business for a licence. If a data centre is going to use a lot of resources, I’m sure that would be a consideration for the city in granting a business licence. But I don’t know if they can necessarily stop a data centre from locating here.

I believe I have answered your questions, but if there is something you wish further clarification on, please let me know.”

10/08/2026

Even though the meet and greet tonight was about mayors and city councillors, it was great to meet a few school trustees face to face.

Candidates from left to right: Rhonda Sherk Pauls, Raj Patara, Shannon Rose for Trustee, Benjamin Mehrer for School Board Trustee

10/08/2026

🎉 Facebook recognized me for starting engaging conversations and producing inspiring content among my audience and peers!

10/07/2026

Pamela Yee for Abbotsford School Trustee has responded to our email. Here is what she said:

“Hi there,

Thank you for sending these questions in! I also noticed there was no question about SOGI 123 at the all-candidates meeting, so I am happy to answer your questions in writing. My responses are below in BLUE:

Are you in favour or against SOGI 123?
I am 💯 in favour of SOGI 123. As you stated, it is a resource, a tool, meant to support teachers and families when discussing sexual orientation and gender identities. Teachers are constantly looking for resources that are up-to-date and relevant for students, and SOGI 123 is one of these optional resources that educators and families can add to their tool belts. Furthermore, I am not in favour of making teachers give any amount of notice before referring to or using SOGI 123 in their lessons. Teachers are not required to give any notice when using other resources, such as Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), Pinterest, Reddit, websites, books, etc., so why would we ask them to notify families before using this specific resource? Teachers are trained professionals who truly care for each child. Not only are they educators, but they are also counsellors, motivational speakers, nurses, mediators, custodians, cheerleaders and role models, amongst other things, and we do not need to add to their already strained workloads.

Do you support or are against land acknowledgements in schools?
I am 💯 supportive of land acknowledgements in schools, and I think it is ridonculous that this is even a topic to be discussed! There is generational trauma that is affecting our Indigenous students today because of this sordid piece of our history. We must never forget the Indigenous children who were taken from their families and sent to residential schools, the children who never came home and the survivors who continue to experience the pain. Acknowledging the land is one step toward honouring those children, confronting the truth of our history, and teaching students that reconciliation is important and requires compassion, responsibility, and meaningful action.

If elected, will you commit to keeping the term disability in schools when referring to disabled students?
Yes, I will commit to keeping the term "disability" in schools when referring to disabled students. I did not realize that using the term "diverse abilities" downplays disabilities, and I am 💯 willing and open to learn more about what is acceptable and appropriate. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to respond to your questions. I am grateful to be able to share my priorities on your platform.

Regards,

Pamela Yee
For Abbotsford School Board Trustee 2026
*Check her page for website link*

Advanced Voting Days: Oct. 7, 10, 11
General Voting Day: Oct. 17
8 am to 8 pm”

10/07/2026

Peggy Antifaeff for School Trustee just responded to our email. Here is what she said;

“First, I want to thank you for amplifying voices in our community. I also want to thank you for the opportunity to let you know more about me through these questions. I drafted a longer response last night, but after sleeping on it, I realized I was making things more complicated than they needed to be. So, I want to get to the point.

SOGI 123

I support the BC Human Rights Code and the protections it provides. Examples include protections related to age, family status, gender identity, mental or physical disability, and religion. I also think it is important to distinguish the legal protections in the Human Rights Code from SOGI 123, which is a resource available to educators.

B.C. public schools have responsibilities to provide safe, caring and inclusive learning environments for all students. I trust teachers and school leaders to use professional judgment when selecting resources appropriate for the lessons they teach, within Board policies and provincial requirements.

Land Acknowledgements

As a former teacher, vice principal, and principal, I have given land acknowledgements in schools and taught students about the purpose of land acknowledgements. I believe students benefit from learning about the history, cultures, and contributions of Indigenous peoples and understanding the land and communities in which they live.

Disabilities

If I inadvertently used ‘diverse abilities’ at the All Candidates’ Meeting rather than ‘disabilities or diverse abilities,’ I apologize. As an educator, I have had these conversations many times, and I know the importance of using respectful and accurate language. I will be more careful going forward.

In education, we often say that parents are a child’s first and forever teacher. I wholeheartedly agree. I still gather wisdom from my mom, and I would like to share some with you.

A few years ago, I asked my mom if she had decided which school trustees would get her vote in the election. She said she wasn’t going to vote for anyone who was going to make school harder for kids, because school is already hard enough for kids. That has stayed with me, and it will guide my vote at the polls on October 17.

I hope that whatever your perspective on these issues, you will join the conversation, ask questions, and listen to others with an open heart and an open mind while keeping students at the centre.

Thank you,
Peggy Antifaeff
Candidate for Abbotsford School Trustee”