Metro Vancouver councillors ask premier to reject Richmond liquid waste plan

Councillors from five Metro Vancouver cities are writing a letter to urge the premier to reject a liquid waste plan that is pending approval from all 21 member municipalities.

Richmond Coun. Kash Heed says they are concerned with how Metro Vancouver is making decisions without consulting local councils.

He points to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant “debacle” — which he says will cost taxpayers for decades — as evidence of the current decision-making process lacking accountability.

That project, which was the subject of backlash from both municipal officials and residents, was initially expected to cost $700 million, but is now expected to cost more than $3.8 billion.

Heed says he and other councillors believe this new procedure is undemocratic and is a deeply concerning precedent to set.

“Certainly, in this case, it should come back to council, the way it was previously done with Metro Vancouver in 2010,” he said.

“Bring it back to that level, at least for now, until we’re able to deal with some of those other factors that are going to directly affect the taxpayers and make our governments more affordable than they have previously.”

Heed says after the North Shore wastewater controversy, the last thing taxpayers need is another multi-billion-dollar plan approved without proper oversight

He adds taxpayers should not be sidelined on decisions that affect their utility rates for decades.

In response to a request for comment, Mike Hurley, chair of the Metro Vancouver Boards, said, “An updated Liquid Waste Management Plan is needed under provincial legislation and does not require endorsement by individual municipal councils or individual council members.”

Hurley says the plan was co-developed with member jurisdictions and received input from First Nations and the public.

“Over the past four years, Metro Vancouver worked closely with its member jurisdictions to develop a new Liquid Waste Management Plan that addresses rising demands on wastewater infrastructure, protects public health and the environment, and keeps services affordable,” he said.

“Metro Vancouver invited all member councils to receive a presentation on the draft plan and provide feedback, and several offered valuable input.”

On Oct. 31, the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Board — made up of mayors and councillors from across the region — unanimously approved the submission of the plan to the provincial government, Hurley says.