Class Action Certified Against the City of Abbotsford for November 2021 Sumas Prairie Flood

The British Columbia Supreme Court has certified a class action against the City of Abbotsford for damage that occurred due to the flooding in the Sumas Prairie in November 2021.

The plaintiffs claim that the flooding and resulting damage in the Sumas Prairie occurred due to the City of Abbotsford’s failure to close the floodboxes at the Barrowtown Pump Station. In reasons for judgment issued on May 29, 2024, the Supreme Court found that the plaintiffs can advance their case to trial, and certified the claims of persons who claim to have suffered personal injury, been displaced, or sustained damages to personal or real property in a defined region within the Sumas Prairie due to the November 2021 flood.

“This decision is a significant step forward to obtaining access to justice by allowing the plaintiffs’ action to proceed to trial,” said Anthony Vecchio, KC, partner of Slater Vecchio LLP. “Individuals and businesses who suffered harm due to the flooding in the Sumas Prairie in November 2021 will be notified in due course regarding next steps in the class action.”

Individuals who were affected by the November 2021 flooding in the Sumas Prairie are invited to submit their information through the form on Slater Vecchio LLP’s webpage: slatervecchio.com/class-action/sumas-flood-class-action