Metro Vancouver to hold independent audit of North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant

Metro Vancouver’s board of directors passed a resolution Friday that it would begin an independent performance audit of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program.

This vote comes in response to the project running over budget by more than $3 billion, with the original cost being estimated at $700 million and the projected cost later increasing to more than $3.86 billion.

Board chair Mike Hurley says a governance review can help identify areas for improvement after criticism over spending practices within the regional district.

“Legitimate questions have been raised about the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program, and we need to move quickly to review all of the facts, especially to ensure future projects do not experience similar problems,” Hurley said.

Hurley says board and committee members will have to pause all publicly funded international travel as well, to allow for a review of policies and spending limits related to travel, conferences, and hospitality.

The move comes after weeks of controversy that saw five city councillors calling for Hurley to resign after he suggested appointing a personal acquaintance to review the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program.

With files from Michael Williams.