Metro Vancouver defers its $1.7-billion 2027 budget and other plans after board turnover

The Story

Metro Vancouver’s board of directors ended its final meeting of its term by deferring approval of its $1.7-billion 2027 operating budget and other long-term plans, including its solid waste management plan, on Friday.

The chief reason cited by directors for the deferral was the high level of turnover, with only 14 of the 41 directors re-elected, and with some newly elected officials urging the board to wait.

Board chair and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley opposed deferring the budget at first and introduced it with the expectation the current board could finish its work. He said, “Passing the budget doesn’t prevent [the new board] from making changes,” and urged others to conclude the work of the current board.

As the meeting progressed, Hurley conceded that the budget likely would be deferred, saying, “Looks like we’re going to defer everything.” The board then voted 87-36 in favour of deferral in a weighted vote.

Before the deferral, the board’s plans had included a $117-million increase over 2026. The average household was expected to pay 1.9 per cent more in 2027, rather than the previously planned three per cent increase, based in part on a service efficiencies review and a $225-million settlement with former North Shore wastewater treatment plant contractor Acciona, according to a staff report.

The wastewater treatment plant’s costs—described as $3.1 billion over its original budget—have also contributed to regional divisions among directors during the term. In 2025, the board raised its property taxes by an average of 25.3 per cent, and the plan facing deferral projected a 4.2 per cent increase in 2028 and five per cent increases in the final three years.

The deferral debate also reflected governance and financial-oversight tensions tied to the region’s wastewater and broader board remuneration. At the meeting, acting commissioner and chief administrative officer Heather McNell provided a term summary, including that the board removed $1.1 billion in capital expenditures from its five-year plan and reduced the scope of the planned Lulu Island wastewater treatment plant by cutting $4 billion from its $11 billion budget.

McNell also noted the board’s governance review has asked the province to cut the board by 25 per cent, a proposal that drew objections from outgoing Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke. Over the term, the board raised development cost charges but deferred its plan to increase them, after reducing the charges by $389 million over six years following lobbying by developers.

A solid waste plan also was deferred after industry partners opposed the level of control Metro Vancouver exercises over the sector. “Industry partners fundamentally disagree with the Metro system and having a closed loop system,” said director and Coquitlam Mayor-elect Craig Hodge, who voted for deferral.

Directors who opposed the waiting approach pointed to ongoing responsibilities regardless of election results. Vancouver city councillor Mike Klassen moved to defer the budget, while Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West—one of 14 re-elected directors—said, “Given the turnover it is appropriate,” adding that he did not want to be blamed for decisions made after the change in board composition.

Other comments during the meeting underscored the dispute over whether the board had lost its mandate. Retiring Burnaby city councillor Sav Dhaliwal said, “We still have responsibility to deliver what I am elected and appointed to do on this board,” and challenged the idea that the board should wait for the new directors.

Metro Vancouver largely handles public utilities such as water, sewer, drainage and waste, while also leading in regional planning for parks, flood protection and transportation logistics. It also oversees management of about 10,000 affordable housing units.

The next board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 27, when mayors from the 20 municipal councils will have appointed all of their new directors.