Surrey, BC – Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum has issued a strong condemnation of Metro Vancouver’s spending practices, calling for an urgent return to core services and an end to what he describes as reckless financial mismanagement.
In a fiery statement, McCallum criticized the regional authority for unchecked expenses, skyrocketing project costs, and a lack of accountability. “The waste is staggering, the abuse is unforgivable, and the leadership is AWOL,” he declared. “Taxpayers are being fleeced while families struggle to survive an affordability crisis. This stops now.”
McCallum pointed to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant as a glaring example of mismanagement, highlighting its cost overruns—from an initial $700 million budget to a staggering $4 billion. He also cited extravagant spending, including $65,000 on a Toronto reception, nearly $500,000 on a Zero Waste Conference, and millions directed into non-essential programs like Invest Vancouver. Meanwhile, he noted, Metro Vancouver’s CEO reportedly earns $700,000 annually.
“This is an outrage,” McCallum stated, demanding Metro Vancouver return its focus to its fundamental responsibilities—water, sewers, and waste management—while offloading non-essential programs such as parks, housing, and economic development back to municipalities.
His proposed measures include:
• An immediate, independent audit to expose wasteful expenditures.
• A freeze on frivolous spending, including conferences and executive perks.
• The elimination of all non-core services to deliver financial relief for taxpayers.
McCallum compared his fiscal record to Metro Vancouver’s current practices, stating, “I kept Surrey’s finances lean and focused on what mattered. Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver’s leaders are spending like there’s no tomorrow while families count every penny.”
As affordability concerns grip British Columbians, McCallum insists it’s time for Metro Vancouver to be held accountable. “Taxpayers deserve better,” he concluded. “Accountability starts today.”