B.C. high court gives go-ahead to class-action suit filed to recoup damages from 2021 Abbotsford flooding

A class-action lawsuit filed by Abbotsford property owners seeking to recover damages from the 2021 floods has been given the go-ahead by the B.C. Court of Appeal, though with some modifications. The court determined the criteria for a class-action suit were met, but identified approximately 400 properties with covenants protecting the City of Abbotsford from flood-related lawsuits. These properties were sent back to a lower court to determine potential liability for legal fees. The suit initially encompassed over 1,400 properties and alleges the city failed to adequately warn of the impending flood and failed to close floodgates in time.

The original claim also named the Fraser Valley Regional District and the province, but these claims have since been dropped, focusing now solely on the city’s actions. Despite the progress, flood risk remains a significant concern in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley, with limited progress on mitigation efforts in the four years since the devastating 2021 event.

The B.C. government released a 10-year flood mitigation plan in 2024 without specific funding or timelines, and applications for federal funding were rejected. While the province has provided some funding for specific projects, such as upgrades to the Barrowtown pumping station, significant financial challenges remain.

(Source：Vancouver Sun)