Vancouver: Metro Vancouver's outgoing board defers 2027 budget vote 89-36, leaving the decision to the new board meeting Nov. 27

Vancouver · Politics · Oct. 31, 2026 · Metro Vancouver's outgoing board deferred a vote on the regional district's 2027 budget on Friday, Oct. 30, by 89 votes to 36. The pause came after calls from various incoming local politicians — including the mayors-elect of Vancouver, Surrey and New Westminster — saying decisions should wait for the new board. Metro Vancouver is made up of elected local officials from 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation; the first meeting of the incoming board is scheduled for Nov. 27.

What the draft budget proposes

According to a Metro Vancouver spokesperson, the budget proposes a $17 (1.9 per cent) increase over last year's total household impact, lower than the three per cent target for 2027. That increase covers all Metro Vancouver services: water supply through the water district, sewerage and drainage, and regional district services such as regional parks and air quality management. The regional district has faced criticism in recent years, particularly because the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project has ballooned in cost.

The chair and two outgoing directors disagreed

Metro board chair and Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said at Friday's meeting that directors should follow through on their work and give the next board a foundation to work with; he also said the water district board is required to have a budget by Dec. 31, and he believes the budget should pass. Outgoing Vancouver councillor Rebecca Bligh voted to defer, while outgoing Burnaby councillor Sav Dhaliwal wanted to pass the budget. This site previewed Friday's vote on Oct. 28; this is the report of the vote's outcome.

Compiled from a CBC News / Canadian Press report.