| Statement on Metro Vancouver Board Governance by Chair of the Metro Vancouver Boards | Statement on Metro Vancouver Board Governance by Chair of the Metro Vancouver Boards | | <div class="ExternalClassC9AB39AA42614A1BA9E0F2BB2AF1A105"><p>Metro Vancouver is a critical institution for the region it serves. Every day, over three million people — more than half of BC's population — rely on Metro Vancouver for clean water, clean air, and other essential services that are the foundation of livability in our region. </p><p>As a regional government, the organization is accountable to the communities it serves. Metro Vancouver's Water District, Sewage and Drainage District, Housing Corporation, and Regional District are governed by elected officials from across the region through a governance model legislated by the Provincial Government and rooted in local democracy. Why does this matter? Because this collaborative governance model ensures local governments impacted by regional decisions have a voice at the table and take a collective approach to solving regional issues. </p><p>As the leader of Metro Vancouver, I believe in this organization. As such, this week has been deeply discouraging for me. </p><p>Over the last couple of years, the Metro Vancouver Boards have worked together to address challenging issues and have made some extraordinarily difficult decisions. While not everyone has agreed with every decision, they were made following healthy, respectful dialogue. That is the hallmark of a democratic process. <br></p><p>The Boards recognized the opportunities for governance improvement in 2024, and we have already started implementing governance reform: To say otherwise is playing politics. </p><p>In the spring, we brought in Deloitte Canada to do an independent review of Metro Vancouver's Board Governance. The review involved interviews with all Board directors, representatives from the Province, and other key thought leaders. When we received the recommendations in May, we immediately began implementing them, and already we have completed 15 of the 47 recommendations with another six underway and 13 more in the 2026 workplan. The members of our Governance Committee are dedicated to this organization and come from municipalities around the region. The committee also includes a representative from the Province. As a Board, we supported reviewing possible changes to Board size and structure for all four legal entities in October, and this important work will take place early 2026. </p><p>We, like other local governments, have also been dedicated to managing costs for residents. Back in February we reduced our operating budget by over $360 million over the next five years. Our cost increase per household is only 2.5 per cent next year: that's less than inflation, and only $22 more on average per household than the previous year. <br></p><p>Ultimately, the rates residents pay are related to the utilities they receive. It's incredibly reasonable for what you get: $18 per month for high-quality drinking water, $6 for solid waste, and $45 for liquid waste. Our entire regional district program — which includes air quality management and regional parks and regional planning — is less than $7 a month. Our non-profit housing corporation operates at no cost to the taxpayer and provides homes over to 10,000 people. </p><p>Every service we deliver was decided on by the Board through a democratic vote, and reconfirmed early this year through a services and cost efficiencies review. We regularly hear the public's support for these services, most of which we've been providing for over 50 years, and some for more than a century. </p><p>Unfortunately, it appears some who have not liked decisions made by the Boards are looking to disrupt this organization's good work.</p><p>Further, it is extremely disappointing that an elected official may have illegally taken advantage of a confidential closed Board meeting and used people's personal lives for political gain. These actions have caused real harm to the organization, but more importantly, they are causing real harm for real people. As such, I will be seeking the Boards' support to initiate a third-party investigation into the source of this serious breach of confidentiality. </p><p>Despite the challenges we are working through, Metro Vancouver remains committed to delivering essential services across the region through a democratic process that reflects the voices of every community in this region.<br></p><p><em>Mike Hurley, Chair of Metro Vancouver's Boards of Directors</em><br></p></div> | 12/19/2025 8:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |