Chilliwack attracts families seeking more affordable way of life

News Snapshot:

At Hillary Fortin's new home in Chilliwack, B.C., her two dachshunds pitter-patter on the hardwood floor as she tidies up her son's storybooks. After living in Metro Vancouver for 30 years, the chartered professional accountant says she never thought she and her husband would end up living in the Fraser Valley city, about 100 kilometres east of Vancouver, known for its agricultural heritage and quaint, rural vibes. "I always thought, oh, that's, you know, a small town, very little opportunity, " she said. But after having their first child in 2023, priorities changed. Fortin, 34, is among a surge of...