The Business Council of British Columbia Calls on Metro Vancouver to Postpone its October 30 Board Meeting

The Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) agrees with mayors who have called on Metro Vancouver to cancel its October 30th meeting.  With the recent municipal election, the new board, not yet fully in place, should be the ones approving the next budget and financial plan. On Friday, Metro is also voting on important items such as the Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP), which deserve to be understood by the incoming Board. 

On Monday, BCBC sent a letter to Metro Vancouver specifically asking that the vote to advance the SWMP for final approval by the province be postponed. Concerns around affordability and competition raised in our July 2026 submission remain unaddressed.  BCBC argues that Metro Vancouver residents deserve more transparency and accountability when it comes to additional costs such as the ones proposed in the SWMP.  

Specifically, in our recent submission and letter we raise issues about garbage disposal fees, which Metro Vancouver expects to increase by 5 percent per year, or 63 percent over ten years. Residents and businesses pay for this in their household and commercial garbage bills. We also raised concerns about the lack of independent oversight and whether the plan delivers value for money. We called for an independent review.  

There is no need to rush the budget process or the SWMP approval. Incoming Board members from municipalities with new mayors and councils must have the opportunity to understand what they are approving. Voters deserve to know what is on this agenda and what it might cost them.