Metro Vancouver has settled its legal dispute with ACCIONA over the troubled North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project, clearing the way for an independent review of the long-delayed development.
The settlement, announced by the regional government, ends litigation that had stalled scrutiny of one of the region’s most contentious infrastructure projects.
“The Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District and ACCIONA were parties to a Project Agreement to design and construct the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (the Project). Issues arose during the Project which resulted in both parties filing lawsuits against the other. The parties have mediated and reached a settlement agreement under which ACCIONA provided $235 million to the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District. The lawsuits have been resolved,” according to a statement from Metro Vancouver.
Metro Vancouver’s Board first moved to launch an independent review in June 2024, but paused the process while the case was before the courts. With the lawsuit resolved, the regional body says it can now proceed with the review while focusing on completing the plant.
“The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program is one of the most important projects currently underway for the health and well-being of this region, and we are very aware of residents’ concerns about the project,” said Mike Hurley, chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. Hurley said the review is meant to give residents transparency and help the regional government improve how it delivers major infrastructure.
The review will have full access to Metro Vancouver’s records on the project’s history, finances, governance and delivery, and is expected to produce recommendations aimed at strengthening future infrastructure work. The scope of the review and the team conducting it will be discussed at upcoming Metro Vancouver Board meetings.
Including more than $7,200 for a 4 minute meeting….SHAMEFUL
Any money paid to these directors should be paid to the municipality that they represent. Attending meetings during hours they are being paid by their municipality. Is this a form of double dipping?
This is an example of an obvious area that cuts can and should be made.