Mayor’s statement on Metro Vancouver governance reform 

Posted by ReyFort Media

I am deeply disappointed that Metro Vancouver has once again avoided the meaningful, systemic and bold governance reform this region requires. Capping every member jurisdiction at three directors may reduce the size of the board, but it does not address the longstanding representation issues. Metro Vancouver speaks of fairness, but Friday’s decision fails to deliver it.  

Surrey has long argued that Metro Vancouver’s weighted voting system falls far short of proportional representation. ‌For example, Belcarra, with fewer than 1,000 residents, is guaranteed one vote, while Surrey has a population hundreds of times larger but will still have only 29 votes.  

Real reform requires more than reducing a few seats at the table. It requires a governance model that accurately reflects the communities it serves, as well as a serious effort to confront Metro Vancouver’s scope creep, rising costs, wasteful spending, and duplication of services. Friday’s decision fundamentally avoids those issues. Surrey residents deserve a system that ensures they have a real seat at the table. They deserve a Metro Vancouver that gets back to its mandate and gets out of Surrey’s way. I will continue to press for the reforms needed to achieve that. 

Mayor Brenda Locke   

City of Surrey