Four Lower Mainland city councillors are seeking change Greater Vancouver how it works and how board members are selected.
The Greater Vancouver Area is a federation of 21 municipalities, one electoral district and one treaty First Nations nation.
Under the current model, all 41 board members in Metro Vancouver are appointed, but Surrey councillor Linda Annis, New Westminster councillor Daniel Fontaine, Richmond councillor Kash Heed and Maple Ridge councillor Ahmed Yousef believe that model needs to change.
The four said board membership should be decided by voters and that Metro Vancouver currently lacks transparency and is “massively overcosted.”
Linda Annis points to projects like the North Shore wastewater treatment plant as examples of Metro Vancouver’s failures that show change is needed.
“Whether it’s the financial fiasco at the North Vancouver or Iona wastewater treatment plants or their unfettered international travel policies that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, Metro Vancouver’s board is irresponsible and taxpayers are tired of being ignored, except when it comes time to pay the bills,” Annis said.
“The current governance model is clearly not working and the provincial government should conduct a comprehensive review, including giving taxpayers the opportunity to elect board members and hold them accountable, just as they hold mayors, councillors and MLAs accountable.”
Fontaine said Metro Vancouver is responsible for the region's largest projects and the lack of accountability at the two wastewater projects is “glaring” and has led to spiraling costs.
The “unrestricted international travel policy” likely refers to Delta Mayor George Harvie, who has spent tens of thousands of dollars on travel so far this year without explaining why.
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Harvey was voted out of the race in late May and has also cancelled a trip to Amsterdam due to travel expenses.
“I have decided not to travel to the Netherlands from June 7 to 16 to attend the International Conference on Urban Drainage and Green Infrastructure Study Tour,” Harvey said in a statement.
“My term as board chair ends on July 1, 2024, and I have made the difficult decision to forgo this learning opportunity. I do not want to distract from the work being done in Metro Vancouver.”
Harvey declined to answer questions about his past travels or upcoming ones.
According to Metro Vancouver, Harvey has submitted more than $32,000 in expenses this year. That includes $21,000 for flights to Asia, $2,700 for lodging and per diems, and about $1,300 for a stay at the Victoria Inn in Cape Laurel.
“The North Vancouver project is costing five times more than originally budgeted and is years behind schedule,” Fontaine said.
“According to Met President George Harvey, the current budget for the proposed Iona plant is $12 billion, and it is increasing by $1 billion every six months.”
Fontaine continued: “The current model of subway management makes it easy for these projects to have financial problems because no one is held accountable and taxpayers are left to sit on the sidelines unless they are required to pay for cost overruns.”
New Westminster city councillors say taxpayers are now left to pick up the tab for overspending on the sewer project, and no one has resigned or been fired.
Richmond city councillor Kash Heed said allowing Metro Vancouver residents to have the vote would ensure more accountability and give voters more of a say.
“I know how important it is for voters to choose the people they want to represent them. Metro Vancouver is a little-known organization to the vast majority of people in the region, and an elected board will better connect the organization to the people they serve, especially when you consider the size and scope of Metro Vancouver’s projects and the tax impact on the people of our region,” said Seed.
“We need to bring Metro out of the shadows and make it more transparent, starting with electing the board.”
Ahmed Yousef of Maple Ridge said Metro Vancouver needs a comprehensive governance review and it’s time to reset the governance model because Metro Vancouver was established more than 50 years ago and has “evolved over time.”
“Over the years, the Metro Authority’s responsibilities have continued to expand, with the organization and its growing bureaucracy quietly assuming more and more power across the region without a direct connection to taxpayers and voters,” Yusuf said.
“Any organisation that is over 50 years old needs to be reviewed to make sure it is ready for the next 50 years.”
Global News has contacted the Prime Minister's Office for comment.
— Attached file from Amy Judd
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