A Record of Service

MEMORANDUM 

Date:  July 20, 2026 

To: Council 

From: Councillors Linda Watt and Peter Lambur 

Re: Request for Consideration as New Business Section 765 Inquiry – North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant 

Background 

I respectfully request that Council consider this matter as New Business because significant developments have occurred since the last regular Council meeting, making it timely and appropriate for Council’s consideration prior to the summer recess. 

Over many months, I have devoted considerable time to reviewing the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (NSWWTP) project and consulting with individuals with experience in major infrastructure projects and governance. I have not brought this motion forward lightly. 

I also want to recognize the significant work undertaken by Mayor Sager in advocating for a fairer distribution of NSWWTP costs across all Metro Vancouver municipalities and for a single, region-wide wastewater system, similar to our regional water system. The Mayor has dedicated considerable effort to advancing these issues and was instrumental in advocating for the independent review now underway at Metro Vancouver. I appreciate those efforts and believe they represent important steps toward greater accountability and a fairer regional approach. 

This motion proposes an additional layer of independent statutory oversight that would complement, rather than replace or duplicate, the independent review already initiated by Metro Vancouver. While the current review is an important step, a statutory inquiry provides powers not available through a non-statutory review, including the ability to compel evidence and testimony where necessary. Following an inquiry, the Inspector of Municipalities is required to report findings, representations, and recommendations to the Lieutenant Governor in Council, which may make an order that is binding on the regional district. This additional level of statutory oversight would further support transparency, accountability, and public confidence. 

Since our previous Council meeting, I received Metro Vancouver’s written responses to the questions I submitted regarding the NSWWTP project. While several questions were answered, others could not be addressed because the information is commercially sensitive or is expected to form part of Metro Vancouver’s independent review. These responses provide new information relevant to Council’s consideration of this matter. 

In addition, on July 6, 2026, the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver each unanimously adopted resolutions requesting that the Inspector of Municipalities commence an inquiry under Section 765 of the Local Government Act. On July 13, 2026, the City of New Westminster also unanimously adopted a similar resolution.

Given these recent developments and the upcoming summer recess, deferring consideration would delay West Vancouver’s opportunity to participate in a timely regional request for an independent statutory inquiry. If Council believes such an inquiry is warranted, I believe it is important that West Vancouver’s voice be part of that discussion now rather than after the summer recess. 

I therefore respectfully request that Council consider this motion as New Business. 

Motion 

WHEREAS the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (NSWWTP) project was originally budgeted at approximately $700 million and scheduled for completion in 2020, and is now projected to be completed in 2030 at an estimated cost of approximately $3.86 billion; 

AND WHEREAS North Shore residents are expected to bear a disproportionately higher share of the project's costs than residents in many other Metro Vancouver municipalities; 

AND WHEREAS Metro Vancouver has initiated an independent review of the project, while a review under Section 765 of the Local Government Act would provide an independent statutory process with powers unavailable to a non-statutory review; 

AND WHEREAS Section 765 of the Local Government Act authorizes the Inspector of Municipalities to review matters relating to a regional district; 

AND WHEREAS a review under Section 765 would provide an independent and transparent examination of the project, help strengthen public confidence, and enhance accountability in the governance and delivery of major regional infrastructure projects; 

AND WHEREAS any provincial review should be undertaken in a timely manner while avoiding unnecessary delay to the project; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the District of West Vancouver endorse the unanimous July 6th requests of the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver and the July 13th unanimous vote from the City of New Westminster to formally request that the Inspector of Municipalities exercise the authority provided under Section 765 of the Local Government Act to commence a review the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project; 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Inspector be requested to examine the factors contributing to the project's significant cost increases and delays, and provide recommendations to strengthen governance, transparency, accountability, financial oversight, and public confidence in the delivery of major regional infrastructure projects; 

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Inspector of Municipalities, the Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Metro Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver, and all Metro Vancouver member municipalities. 4818991v1 

Timeline 

October 2021 – Metro Vancouver terminated its contract with ACCIONA, ending the public-private partnership and transferring significant project risk back to taxpayers. The termination has resulted in ongoing litigation involving hundreds of millions of dollars. 

September 2023 – Metro Vancouver established a Task Force to examine options for completing the project. Meetings were held in camera and limited information was publicly released. 

June 2024 – Metro Vancouver approved a revised project budget of approximately $3.86 billion and announced an independent review of the project. 

July 2024 – Metro Vancouver announced an Independent Performance Audit. Questions have since been raised regarding the scope, governance, reporting structure, and independence of that review. 

July 2026 – The City of North Vancouver, the District of North Vancouver and the City of New Westminster each adopted unanimous resolutions requesting an inquiry under Section 765 of the Local Government Act. 

Discussion 

North Shore municipalities have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the governance, transparency and financial management of the NSWWTP project. Despite raising these concerns through Metro Vancouver's governance processes, many questions remain unresolved. 

On June 29, 2026, I submitted fifteen questions to Metro Vancouver Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny concerning the project. These questions addressed, among other matters: 

• the decision to terminate the ACCIONA public-private partnership; 

• the procurement process used to select a replacement contractor; 

• the rationale for terminating the original contract during the COVID-19 pandemic while construction costs were escalating; 

• the role of members of the Independent Advisory Panel; 

• the project's governance, terms of reference, and cost escalation. 

Written responses were received on July 15, 2026. While several questions were answered, others could not be addressed because the information was considered commercially sensitive or is expected to form part of Metro Vancouver's independent review. 

Metro Vancouver's independent review is an important initiative and should continue. However, a review under Section 765 would provide statutory powers unavailable to a non-statutory review, including the authority to compel witnesses to testify under oath, require the production of documents, and conduct proceedings in public where appropriate. As such, a Section 765 inquiry would complement, rather than duplicate, Metro Vancouver's existing review. 

Financial Implications 

The project's estimated cost has increased from approximately $700 million to approximately $3.86 billion, excluding future operating, maintenance and decommissioning costs. These escalating costs will have significant financial implications for Metro Vancouver municipalities, including West Vancouver residents. 4818991v1 

Conclusion 

Given the significant escalation in costs, ongoing delays, and continued concerns regarding transparency and governance surrounding the NSWWTP project, it is appropriate for the District of West Vancouver to take steps to support accountability and protect the interests of its residents. 

A formal complaint to the Inspector of Municipalities requesting an inquiry under Section 765 of the Local Government Act represents a reasonable and necessary additional measure to provide independent statutory oversight, establish an evidence-based record of what occurred, restore public confidence, and strengthen the governance framework for managing large-scale regional infrastructure projects. 

Such an inquiry would complement, rather than duplicate, the independent review already initiated by Metro Vancouver. Without additional independent oversight, important questions regarding project governance, decision-making, cost escalation, and accountability may remain unresolved to the detriment of North Shore communities. 

August 24, 2026

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RECOMMENDATION:

THAT staff be directed to provide an update to Council on the District's current wildfire resilience and evacuation preparedness, including:

1.  implementation status of the recommendations contained in the District's Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, including any recommendations that remain outstanding or require accelerated implementation;

2.  wildfire mitigation measures on public and private lands, including vegetation management, FireSmart initiatives, and the identification and mitigation of dead standing trees or other vegetation that may materially contribute to wildfire or public-safety risk;

3.  assessment of wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface, including areas of particular concern based on vegetation, topography, slope, proximity to structures, and other relevant factors;

4.  emergency response capacity in the event of a rapidly escalating wildfire, including responder access, water supply, equipment, staging, and coordination with neighbouring jurisdictions and North Shore Emergency Management;

5.  evacuation planning and transportation resilience, including:

• the number and capacity of available evacuation routes;

• potential transportation bottlenecks and single points of failure;

• the implications of a wildfire affecting one or more major transportation corridors;

• the role and capacity of transit and other transportation resources in supporting evacuation; and

• opportunities to improve redundancy and resilience within the transportation network;

6.  extent to which wildfire and evacuation planning considers a scenario involving the rapid evacuation of a significant portion of West Vancouver's population, including circumstances in which one or more principal routes are unavailable;

7.  opportunities for the District to work with the Province, TransLink, North Shore municipalities, North Shore Emergency Management, and other relevant agencies to identify and address regional wildfire and evacuation vulnerabilities;

8.  recommendations for any actions that Council could take in the short, medium, and longer term to improve wildfire resilience, reduce potential evacuation risk, and accelerate implementation of existing wildfire-resilience recommendations; and

9.  any associated financial, staffing, regulatory, infrastructure, intergovernmental, or other implications.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff identify any measures that could be implemented or advanced prior to the next wildfire season, including opportunities to accelerate existing initiatives within the District's authorities and resources.

August 24, 2026

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RECOMMENDATION:

THAT staff examine, in consultation with the District's legal counsel and relevant public health authorities, the District's existing statutory and bylaw authority and options to:

1.      assess rodent activity and risk at properties proposed for demolition or significant site disturbance where there is evidence of existing rodent activity or other circumstances indicating an elevated risk;

2.      require, where warranted, an appropriate professional rodent-management or extermination program prior to demolition or significant site disturbance;

3.      require appropriate measures to minimize the displacement of rodents onto neighbouring properties during and following demolition or significant site disturbance;

4.      establish appropriate standards for the timing, duration, documentation, and verification of rodent-mitigation measures;

5.      incorporate appropriate requirements into demolition permits, building permits, development permits, or other applicable regulatory mechanisms;

6.      establish appropriate measures for vacant, derelict, or long-unoccupied properties where there is evidence of an existing or emerging rodent problem, including consideration of circumstances in which intervention may be warranted before demolition is proposed;

7.      consider whether a risk-based framework could distinguish between properties with little or no identified rodent risk and properties where established rodent activity or site conditions warrant mitigation; and

8.      identify any amendments to existing bylaws, policies, permit conditions, or other regulatory instruments that may be required to establish such a framework.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff be directed to report back to Council on options for establishing a risk-based framework for consistently assessing and mitigating rodent risks associated with vacant, derelict, and long-unoccupied properties, particularly where demolition or other significant disturbance is proposed.

MEMORANDUM

Date: To: From: Re: June 22, 2026

To: Council

From: Councillors Linda Watt and Christine Cassidy

Re: INACTIVE DEVELOPMENT SITES AND LONG-TERM CONSTRUCTION FENCING

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Notice of the following motion regarding Inactive Development Sites and Long-Term Construction Fencing will be given at the June 22, 2026 regular Council meeting. At the July 6, 2026 regular Council meeting, after the proposed motion is moved and seconded, discussion on the proposed motion may be held. 

Take notice that at the July 6, 2026 regular Council meeting, Councillor Watt, with Councillor Cassidy as seconder, will move: 

NOTICE OF MOTION 

TItle: Inactive Development Sites and Long-Term Construction Fencing 

WHEREAS the District of West Vancouver places a high value on neighbourhood character, attractive streetscapes, environmental stewardship, and the maintenance of residential property; 

AND WHEREAS some residential development sites remain inactive for extended periods while continuing to be enclosed by temporary construction fencing and associated site works; 

AND WHEREAS such sites may remain compliant with existing regulations respecting safety and security while nevertheless creating prolonged visual impacts on adjacent residents and neighbourhoods; 

AND WHEREAS a number of municipalities have adopted enhanced standards for vacant properties, inactive construction sites, and long-term development sites to ensure that properties are appropriately maintained during periods of inactivity; 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to review the District's existing bylaws, policies, and permit processes relating to inactive development sites and report back with options, with a view to ensuring that residential development sites which remain inactive for extended periods do not continue indefinitely in a construction-site condition and are restored to a landscaped and well-maintained residential appearance compatible with the surrounding neighbourhood until development activity resumes, including options to: 

1. Define and regulate inactive development sites where substantial construction activity has ceased for a specified period of time; 

2. Establish standards for the maintenance, screening, landscaping, stabilization, and appearance of inactive development sites; 8. 17. ///// 255 

3. Consider requirements for the removal or replacement of temporary construction fencing where active construction is not occurring and such fencing is no longer required for safety purposes; 

4. Examine the feasibility of requiring disturbed lands on inactive development sites to be seeded, landscaped, hydroseeded, or otherwise restored to a maintained vacant-lot condition until construction resumes; 

5. Consider permit, monitoring, inspection, cost-recovery, and enforcement mechanisms applicable to long-term inactive development sites; and

 6. Review best practices and regulatory approaches used in comparable municipalities within British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT staff report on the potential benefits, costs, enforcement considerations, and legal implications of any proposed regulatory framework. 

MEMORANDUM

File: 11-2150-01

Date: October 4, 2023

To: Council

From: Councillor Watt and Councillor Cassidy

Re: Notice of Motion regarding Amendment to the District of West Vancouver Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008 and Ion -term Do Strategy in West Vancouver

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Notice of the following motion regarding amendment to the District of West Vancouver Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008, will be given at the October 16, 2023, regular Council meeting, to facilitate more opportunities for dogs on leash in parks. At the October 23, 2023, regular Council meeting, after the proposed motion is moved and seconded, discussion on the proposed motion may be held.

Take notice that at the October 23, 2023, regular Council meeting, Councillor Watt, with Councillor Cassidy as seconder, will move:

WHEREAS the District of West Vancouver's "Animal Control and Licence Bylaw No. 4545, 2008" outlines dog licensing and regulations, dangerous animals, prohibited areas and off-leash areas;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to facilitate increased opportunities for leashed dogs to be allowed in more areas of parks including along pathways in Horseshoe Bay Park and the Ambleside and Centennial Sea Walk;AND WHEREAS it is desirable to facilitate increased opportunities for leashed dogs to be allowed in more areas of parks including along pathways in Horseshoe Bay Park and the Ambleside and Centennial Sea Walk;

AND WHEREAS it is desirable to develop a long-term strategy for dogs in West Vancouver;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT

1. Council direct staff to amend the District of West Vancouver Bylaw No. 4545 Schedule A to eliminate the 5 m setback in Bylaw 4545, 2008;

2. Council direct staff to amend the district of West Vancouver Bylaw 4545 Schedule A to allow leashed dogs along the paved pathways in Horseshoe Bay Park, not including commercial dog walkers;

3. Council direct staff to amend the District of West Vancouver Bylaw No. 4545 Schedule A to allow dogs on leash on the Centennial Sea Walk, not including commercial dog walkers;

4. Council direct staff to amend the District of West Vancouver Bylaw 4545, Schedule A2 and Reroute the dog path to the Ambleside Sea Walk, adjacent to the beach area to allow for dogs on a leash, not including commercial dog walkers;

5. Council direct staff to develop a long-term strategy for dogs in West Vancouver including a review of current bylaws, current practices, environmental impact, enforcement, and current practices in other municipalities, with a move to be far more dog friendly within West Vancouver.

6. All the work as listed above (# 1-5) will not encompass any community consultation.