Metro Vancouver hires ex-judge to review Northshore Wastewater Plant audit

Metro Vancouver has retained John J.L. Hunter, K.C., a retired judge and founder of Hunter Litigation Chambers, to advise the Metro Vancouver Board on the independent performance audit of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program.

“When I was elected to the Metro Vancouver Board in July, I committed to move ahead with an independent performance audit of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program. Today, I am pleased to announce we have taken the next important step by hiring John J.L. Hunter, K.C., to advise the Board on the details of this review,” said Mike Hurley, Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors.

Hunter will advise the Board on the scope of the review, the terms of reference for the review, and the process to select an independent, qualified reviewer. Hurley said the Board asked him to identify a lawyer who was as ‘independent as possible’ and one who had not worked previously with Metro Vancouver. The recommended scope of work and terms of reference will be brought back to the Board for discussion and approval.

“I look forward to the Board receiving Hunter’s recommendations and working with the Metro Vancouver Board to ensure the public has confidence that Metro Vancouver is taking the right steps to expand critical infrastructure to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population.”

A founder of Hunter Litigation Chambers, Hunter has returned to the firm as Associate Counsel after his retirement as a Justice of the Court of Appeal for British Columbia. For 40 years before his judicial appointment, Mr. Hunter conducted a busy trial and appellate practice. His practice focused on commercial litigation and public law, including leading constitutional, administrative, and Aboriginal law cases.

Recently, District of North Vancouver Councillor Catherine Pope brought a motion before the council, asking the Province to probe the massive delays and cost overruns at the Northshore Wastewater Treatment Plant.