ABBOTSFORD, B.C., September 3, 2026: After a year of serving students, families and the community on the Abbotsford Board of Education, School Trustee Arsh Kaler has announced he is seeking re-election this October.
Elected in the October 2025 by-election, Kaler says his first year in office has given him the experience, relationships and understanding of the district needed to continue representing Abbotsford through an important period for public education.
“Last year, Abbotsford placed its trust in me, and from day one, I went to work,” said Kaler. “I have shown up, listened, learned and advocated. I understand the responsibility that comes with this position, and I am ready to bring that experience forward into a full term.”
Since taking office, Kaler has made accessibility and community presence central to how he serves. He has remained active in schools, at community events and throughout Abbotsford, creating opportunities for students, parents, educators and residents to speak directly with their elected trustee.
“One of the things I value most is having students recognize their trustee and feel comfortablecoming up and having a conversation,” said Kaler. “Students and families should know who represents them. They should know they can reach us, speak with us and trust that somebody is listening.”
At the Board table, Kaler serves on the Finance & Facilities Committee and District Planning Team, chairs the Community Matters Selection Committee and serves as an alternate on the Apprenticeship Advisory Committee.
Kaler also represents Abbotsford as an Executive with the BC School Trustees Association Fraser Valley Branch, working alongside trustees from across the region and bringing Abbotsford and Fraser Valley priorities into broader conversations about public education.
“Representing Abbotsford does not end at the Board table,” said Kaler. “Our community deserves a strong voice wherever decisions and conversations affecting public education are taking place. I have been proud to carry Abbotsford’s voice into those discussions, and I want to continue doing that.”
Kaler says the next Board will face significant decisions around enrolment growth, school infrastructure, responsible stewardship of public dollars, student supports and preparing students for life beyond graduation.
With important work already underway, Kaler believes experience and continuity at the Board table will matter.
“There is a learning curve to this role. Over the past year, I have built relationships, developed a deeper understanding of our district and gained firsthand experience with the decisions trustees are responsible for making,” said Kaler. “That experience matters. I am ready to bring it back to the table and continue working from day one of the next term.”
Outside elected office, Kaler works as Events & Community Manager with the Abbotsford Hospice & Grief Support Society and is President and Founder of Smiles Through Seva Foundation, a youth-led organization focused on empowering young people to give back.
This year, Smiles Through Seva is raising funds to address food insecurity among children and provide scholarships to graduating Abbotsford students who have demonstrated a commitment to community service.
Kaler has also served as Secretary of the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association and serves on an adjudicating committee with the Abbotsford Community Foundation.
“Service has shaped who I am and how I approach leadership,” said Kaler. “Whether I am supporting families through Hospice, working alongside young people in our community or representing Abbotsford at the Board table, I believe leadership means being present, listening
and doing the work.”
For Kaler, the campaign is not about beginning something new. It is about building on the work, relationships and experience of his first year in office.
“I know this role. I know our community. I understand the work ahead, and I am ready to continue doing it.”
Kaler says he remains grateful for the confidence voters placed in him in 2025 and is asking Abbotsford to renew that trust for a full four-year term.
“Last year, Abbotsford gave me the opportunity to serve. I have worked every day to honour that responsibility.”
“I am not asking Abbotsford for the opportunity to start. I am asking Abbotsford for the opportunity to keep working.”
The 2026 General Local Election will take place on October 17, 2026.