Metro Vancouver’s New Board Chair Takes Tough Tone on First Day of Job

Mike Hurley, the new board chair of Metro Vancouver, wasted no time in setting the tone for his leadership as he tackled tough issues on his first day in office. Amid concerns about travel expenses and the budget overruns at the North Shore Wastewater plant, Hurley addressed his fellow mayors and councillors with a no-nonsense approach.

In his opening remarks, Hurley emphasized the need to earn the trust and confidence of the region’s residents. He acknowledged the challenges facing the organization and pledged to work towards restoring trust, particularly in light of concerns about international travel expenses.

One of Hurley’s immediate actions was to announce a halt on international travel for board and committee members. Additionally, he proposed a governance review for Metro Vancouver to identify areas for improvement and clarify roles and responsibilities.

However, Hurley’s tenure did not come without controversy, as some municipal councillors raised objections to his recommendation for leading the investigation into the troubled sewage plant. Allegations surfaced that Hurley attempted to appoint a personal acquaintance, William McCarthy, to head the probe. McCarthy, a real estate professional, had previously been made an honorary Burnaby firefighter during Hurley’s time as fire chief.

Further questions arose regarding a substantial networking event in Toronto funded by Metro Vancouver taxpayers. A Freedom of Information request revealed that delegates spent over $64,000 on a wine and cheese event during the Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference in 2023.

Despite the challenges and controversies, Hurley remained steadfast in his commitment to transparency and accountability. He recommended an external, independent performance audit of the sewage plant, emphasizing the need for impartiality in the investigation.

As Hurley navigates these complex issues in his new role, the residents of Metro Vancouver will be watching closely to see how he leads the regional district through these challenging times.