Metro Vancouver announces departure of CAO Jerry Dobrovolny

Jerry Dobrovolny has ended his tenure as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and Commissioner of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. The leadership change comes amid ongoing governance reforms and upcoming municipal elections in British Columbia.

During his time since November 2019, Dobrovolny oversaw the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and managed an infrastructure program consisting of over 300 concurrent projects. However, the regional district has faced scrutiny regarding its governance structure and the significant cost increases of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, which rose from an initial $700 million estimate in 2017 to approximately $3.86 billion.

Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley stated that the board reached an agreement with Dobrovolny to transition leadership to position the organization for its next chapter. Heather McNell, the Deputy CAO, has been appointed as the acting CAO and commissioner to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of essential services during the transition.