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Weeks before a municipal election that could reshape its governing board, Metro Vancouver has parted ways with its highest-ranking executive, chief administrative officer and commissioner Jerry Dobrovolny.
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Dobrovolny’s departure comes at a challenging time for Metro Vancouver. The regional district faces growing scrutiny over one of its multibillion-dollar infrastructure programs and a defamation lawsuit brought by outgoing Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart. It is also under pressure to overhaul how it governs and oversees major projects.
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The news was announced late Friday. Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, chair of the Metro Vancouver board, announced the move, saying both the upcoming municipal election and continuing governance reforms made it the right time for a change.
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“The board believes this is the right time to transition leadership and position the organization for its next chapter and has come to an agreement with Jerry regarding this transition,” Hurley’s statement read.
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Days before Dobrovolny’s exit, he and Metro Vancouver were named as defendants in a defamation lawsuit Stewart filed in the B.C. Supreme Court.
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Stewart claims he was defamed during public discussions of cost overruns for the North Shore wastewater treatment plant, which is now the subject of an independent review after its estimated cost rose from $700 million to $3.86 billion. The allegations have not been proven in court.
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“The gongshow that continues at Metro Vancouver needs to come to an end,” Premier David Eby said last year after members of the board called for the North Shore wastewater treatment plant to be independently reviewed.
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A Deloitte Canada review completed last year recommended changes to Metro Vancouver’s board structure and decision-making processes. Metro Vancouver is now exploring the creation of a Major Projects Oversight Board, which would include elected officials and outside directors with technical expertise.
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Metro Vancouver has also voted to reduce the size of its board next term, with the number of directors expected to fall from 45 to 34, subject to provincial approval.
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In December 2025, Metro Vancouver’s chief financial officer, Harji Varn, left the executive team and former CFO Linda Sabatini has assumed the position.
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Varn’s departure prompted questions about executive turnover and the cost of severance at the regional district.
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Metro Vancouver responded to rumours about a “major leadership disruption” at the regional district on its “disinformation and misinformation” page, launched by its media relations team last year.
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“Fact: Jerry Dobrovolny is still Metro Vancouver’s Commissioner and CAO and Mike Hurley remains Board Chair of the organization,” it said.
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