VICTORIA, B.C.: The BC Conservative Caucus is calling on the provincial government to order a full public inquiry into Metro Vancouver, supporting calls from the City of Surrey and the Mayor of Vancouver.  MLA for Surrey-Serpentine River and Opposition Critic for Housing Linda Hepner is calling on the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to order the inquiry immediately. 

“Metro Vancouver has become an unaccountable, disorganized mess. This government promised it would step in two years ago. Another broken promise from this BC NDP government,” said Hepner.  

There have long been concerns regarding Metro Vancouver’s financial stewardship, fairness, withholding of records, wastefulness, and possible breaches of legal and contractual obligations. Mayors throughout Metro Vancouver have pointed to serious project mismanagement by the regional district and its related entities. 

Last month, the mayors of North Vancouver called for an inquiry into the disaster of a project that is the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, the budget for which has ballooned from $700 million to $3.86 billion. 

“North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant is $3 billion over budget. That’s not the only project that Metro Vancouver has mismanaged. This is a pattern of mismanagement,” said Hepner.  

Despite acknowledging the issues with Metro Vancouver and calling it a “mess,” the BC NDP government has refused to act. 

“It is time for this government to stop avoiding responsibility and do the right thing for the people of Metro Vancouver,” says Hepner. “Residents and municipalities have rightfully lost trust in Metro Vancouver, and they deserve accountability. I am calling on the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to do the right thing and order a full public inquiry today.” 

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
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