After weeks of controversy over its spending practices, Metro Vancouver is being told to dump its newly elected chair.
Five local civic politicians say Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley should resign after what they call a “failed attempt” to appoint a personal acquaintance to review the North Shore Wastewater Treatment plant.
City of New Westminster Couns. Daniel Fontaine and Paul Minhas, Richmond Coun. Kash Heed, Surrey Coun. Linda Annis, and Maple Ridge Coun. Ahmed Yousef signed a release Wednesday saying Hurley’s actions “trigger concerns, including questions about political donations.”
They point out William McCarthy was a major donor to Hurley’s 2022 election campaign.
“Elections BC identified two individuals named William McCarthy and Dolores McCarthy who donated a combined $2,500 to the Mike Hurley election campaign. A William McCarthy also made a $1,400 donation to Premier David Eby and the BC NDP. William McCarthy (recommended by Chair Hurley) and his spouse are co-owners of W.P.J. McCarthy and Company whose development firm is headquartered in Burnaby,” the councillors said.
Last week, Hurley reportedly distributed a motion to the Metro Vancouver board of directors asking for their support in appointing William McCarthy to oversee a performance audit of the plant.
In a document shared by Fontaine, Hurley calls McCarthy “uniquely qualified to conduct a thoroughly independent high-level investigation of why and what transpired with regards to the North Shor Wastewater Treatment Project.”
The councillors say they want — but have been unable — to confirm if the William McCarthy listed in the Elections BC report is the same person recommended by Hurley.
“If Mr. McCarthy is, in fact, a political donor to Hurley’s mayoral campaign this shows an incredible lack of judgement on the part of the Metro Vancouver chair,” said Fontaine in a statement.
“Mike Hurley needs to step aside until we can confirm whether he attempted to appoint a significant donor to a key appointment that would have been in charge of the performance audit for this failed infrastructure project. Taxpayers deserve transparency and they deserve the truth, anything less is unacceptable,” said Heed.
Within days of introducing his motion, Hurley withdrew his recommendation, and the councillors say McCarthy said he didn’t want the job.
“The original recommendation and subsequent reversal by the new Chair of Metro Vancouver is a clear indication that things have just spun out of control at Metro Vancouver. It’s time for Premier Eby to step in and provide some sorely needed political leadership on this file,” said Minhas.
Hurley was elected to the Metro Vancouver chair position in late June.