BC government to consider Metro Vancouver board size cuts after Surrey mayor protests

The British Columbia Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs said it will review Metro Vancouver’s proposal to reduce its board of directors from 41 to 34 members and to cap representation at three directors per municipality. The board voted on July 24 to adopt the plan, with a 107‑36 margin, aiming to streamline governance and improve value for taxpayers.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke criticized the proposal, arguing that the three‑director cap does not address disproportionate representation – citing that tiny Belcarra receives the same voting weight as the much larger Surrey. Other municipal leaders expressed mixed views, and officials warned that any legislative changes could take 12 to 18 months to enact.