The four directors of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors have elected Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley as Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors.
This election comes in a context of tensions, while criticism has rained on the financial management of the construction costs of the wastewater treatment plant in the district of North Vancouveras well as on certain expenses of the administrators.
In addition to wastewater management, Metro Vancouver is also responsible for drinking water, regional parks and some housing.
Having “public trust”
After his election, Mike Hurley declared be the strong voice we need
. We must ensure that we have public confidence in the services we provide to the population.
he added.
Mr. Hurley had only one opponent in front of him, Vancouver city councilor Lisa Dominato.
As Metro Vancouver chairman, Mike Hurvey will be paid $105,039 a year and his job will be to chair Metro Vancouver board meetings, act as its spokesperson, establish standing committees and appoint their members.
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In mid-June, Metro Vancouver launched an independent review into the steep rise in the cost of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Photo : Radio-Canada / Ben Nelms
Mr Hurvey’s predecessor, George Harvie, was dismissed by the board after criticism of his travel expenses, which were funded with public money.
More than $20,000 for a plane ticket
According to documents provided by Metro Vancouver, Mr. Harvie spent $21,213 on a plane ticket to attend a Canada-in-Asia conference in Singapore in February.
Another trip to the Netherlands was expected to cost $5,307, but Mr Harvie waived it after public scrutiny.
Daniel Fontaine, municipal councilor of New Westminsterwho is not a board member, attended Friday’s meeting as an observer.
Mr. Fontaine said he did not have no trust at all
to George Harvie’s successor. He believes Mr. Hurley is not the right person for the job and adds that he was involved in the trip to the Netherlands, having gone there as the city’s sewage manager, which is a questionable expense according to him.
According to Mr. Fontaine, this is proof that the board of directors, through this vote, was not concerned with improving the transparency and good governance of the institution.
Discord within the board of directors
Friday’s vote was not only about the appointment of the new president. Administrators also considered a motion asking that travel expenses be more closely scrutinized and regulated.
This motion, carried by the mayor of Bowen IslandAndrew Leonard, and the mayor of New WestminsterPatrick Johnstone was rejected.
With information from Chad Pawson
