A North Shore resident has launched a petition urging the Province of British Columbia to conduct a full public inquiry into Metro Vancouver’s troubled North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project, which has seen costs rise from an estimated $700 million to nearly $4 billion.
The petition, initiated by Dennis Hilton, highlights concerns over cost distribution. North Shore residents represent about 8 percent of Metro Vancouver’s population but are being billed for 37 percent of the project’s expenses. In the City of North Vancouver, household sewer bills are projected to increase from approximately $778 per year to about $1,400 annually by 2029, with elevated costs expected to continue for decades.
The petition notes that despite the scale of the project’s failure, there has been no public inquiry, no independent review, and no detailed public explanation. It calls for an inquiry under the Public Inquiry Act (SBC 2007, c.9), with terms that would allow proceedings to run concurrently with ongoing court cases while maintaining judicial independence.
According to the petition, a public inquiry would provide an independent and transparent mechanism to compel testimony, obtain documents, examine governance and oversight failures, determine how billions of dollars were lost, and recommend reforms to prevent similar issues in the future.
The petition argues that the failure affects the entire region but that the North Shore bears a disproportionate share of the financial burden. Without a public inquiry, it states, the public will not receive answers, accountability will not be delivered, and Metro Vancouver will not undergo the reforms needed to prevent future failures.
How about the additional costs of removing the old sewage treatment plant. I understand it could be close to an additional billion dollars!!! What a mess
I, too, am outraged by this! No proper governance, oversight or accountability. My adult children who have scraped and saved and done without to own a home are now IMPOVERISHED by the feckless behaviour of this Board which, is far too big. And, the trips abroad continue! Gravy Train Incorp! UGH!
Why is the Northshore footing a disproportionate amount of the cost?
We can thank Trudeau for the plant needing to be moved which had caused costs to excalate.
Add my name to the petition!
When is Eby going to put his big boy pants on and finally get the review started like he has been promising for months
Such a travesty for the north shore for many decades. The buck stops with Eby.
All the top should be fired with cause. No severance!!
It has been lot of trucks going by Lilleot I’d ridiculous amount .your job is not done i will be ashamed to ask for more money . Who do you think you are. I know who you are someone who takes his time some in your crew does work but not all some are on the phone playing games or watching movies some are standing with a shovel holding on.
In my view it is important to elect government officials
that have experienced business backgrounds and experience in navigating govt processes. You get what you voted for. I sincerely hope residents will get better informed of who hey are voting for and why they are voting for them!