METRO VANCOUVER — The Metro Vancouver Board has announced it has completed its Services and Cost Efficiencies Review, directing the organization to apply $364 million in operating budget savings to its 2026 Budget and 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan.
The means the projected 2026 household rate increase will be reduced by half.
“Over the past few months, Metro Vancouver has done a detailed analysis of our operating budget and more than 300 infrastructure projects, identifying significant opportunities to reduce spending,” said Mike Hurley, chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, in a statement. “This carefully balanced approach demonstrates our commitment to affordability for residents as we meet the needs of a growing population and deliver the services our region depends on.”
Savings were found in the following areas:
- Adjusting the timing of when projects will be delivered, based on deliverability and market conditions.
- Reductions in capital infrastructure spending across multiple programs.
- Reduced consulting services, business support costs and scope across departments.
- Adjusted workplans and focused on resource optimization and efficiency strategies
- Reducing debt servicing costs as a result of $1.1 billion in adjustments to infrastructure spending.
“By finding ways to optimize resources and adjust to our current realities, we’re addressing the cost concerns expressed by residents while maintaining the long-term sustainability of our operations,” added Metro Vancouver Board vice-chair John McEwen. “It’s like maintaining a home on a budget. We’re prioritizing essential repairs, phasing improvements over time rather than renovating everything at once and doing more work in-house instead of relying on contractors.”
In 2025, households pay on average $875 for all of Metro Vancouver’s region-wide services, a release reads. Based on the new projections for 2026, households will pay on average $896, down $22 from the previous projections.
Metro Vancouver will now enter its regular budgeting process and the board will consider and vote on the final proposed 2026 Budget and 2026-2030 Five-Year Financial Plan in October.
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