Surrey’s city council voted to approve a motion during Monday’s meeting to initiate an inquiry into Metro Vancouver regional entities.

Council is asking B.C.’s Inspector of Municipalities to investigate concerns surrounding governance and accountability.

Concerns cited in the motion focus on financial stewardship, fairness to member municipalities, engineering, environmental, and other records from the Surrey Board of Directors. 

“Surrey residents deserve to know that the organizations collecting and spending public money are operating with transparency, integrity, and respect for the people they serve,” Mayor Brenda Locke said. 

“When serious concerns arise, leadership demands action. That is exactly what Council is doing to help restore public confidence.” 

Surrey’s council also wants the Inspector to review bylaws, decisions, and actions of the Metro Vancouver Regional Board, the Greater Vancouver Water District, and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District. 

Council wants Metro Vancouver to pay the cost of the inquiry.

“This is not about politics. It’s about accountability,” said Locke.

“No public institution funded by taxpayers should be beyond scrutiny. If Metro Vancouver’s governance is sound, a public inquiry will confirm that. If it is not, the public has every right to know, and reforms must follow.” 

In response, Jillian Glover, Media Relations and Issues Management for Metro Vancouver, stated that it “operates under the requirements of the Local Government Act and follows all legislated financial reporting, disclosure, and public meeting requirements.”

“Audited financial statements and annual reports are available to residents,” said Glover.

According to Glover, Metro Vancouver retained Deloitte Canada to conduct an independent review of Board governance in 2025.

Twenty-four of 47 recommendations have been implemented so far.