Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors announced that it has determined that a review of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program is not in the public interest while Metro Vancouver’s litigation with former contractor Acciona is ongoing.
“After careful consideration, the Board has decided the public interest is best served by resolving the legal dispute with the previous contractor before undertaking the review,” said Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley.
Metro Vancouver’s Board initiated the process to explore an independent review in June 2024. The late John J.L. Hunter, K.C., a retired judge and founder of Hunter Litigation Chambers, was retained to develop the scope and terms of reference for the review and the process of selecting an independent, qualified reviewer. He selected the MWGK Independent Review Team to conduct the review. Hunter’s role has now been filled by Randal Kaardal, K.C., a senior litigator at Hunter Litigation Chambers who handles a wide range of commercial litigation for clients in the financial, mining, forestry, and manufacturing sectors.
“The litigation is a public process, and once the dispute with the former contractor has been resolved, the Metro Vancouver Board and the reviewer would be in a better position to complete a review on any outstanding questions,” said Randal Kaardal.
The litigation between Metro Vancouver and Acciona is scheduled to go to trial in March 2027. The Board will be able to reconsider conducting a review once the dispute with the former contractor has been resolved.
Metro Vancouver will continue to be transparent about the project’s status. Monthly construction status reports are posted online and available to the public.
Featured image: (Metro Vancouver)
