Following major scrutiny of its spending and handling of major projects, Metro Vancouver passed a pared-down budget for 2026 on Friday. It sliced the planned five-per-cent household fee increase in half to a 2.5-per-cent increase, a move which followed a costs and services efficiency review that identified hundreds of millions of dollars in savings. That includes $364 million in operating savings and spending $1.1 billion less in capital expenditures between 2026 and 2030. “This brings to conclusion a long year of looking, going through our processes, looking through our departments, and going line by line through the budget,” said Metro Vancouver board chair Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley in an interview with CTV News following the vote. “(It took) many, many meetings to get here.” But while the regional body has found savings, its chair doesn’t feel this budget falls under the austerity label. “I don’t know that I’d describe it as austerity,” Hurley said. “It certainly is a budget that’s at a place that lets us do that and no more.” But the budget didn’t pass unanimously, with six of 41 directors voting no. “Approving an annual budget sounds fine for the number,” City of North Vancouver Mayor Linda Buchanan said following the meeting, when discussing the 2.5-per-cent fee increase. “But we’re not addressing those systemic issues that absolutely need to be addressed. I’ve been talking about this for six years and you know, we just can’t. We know what the cost drivers are, we know what the external forces are that are driving some of these costs.” Another director expressed concern that the regional body will need help from senior levels of government—help that she feels is unlikely to come given the economic challenges being felt across the country. “I understand we’ve cut $1.2 billion off the budget in capital, and $364 million in operating over five years,” said District of North Vancouver Coun. Lisa Muri. “Some would call those rounding errors. We need to pull back.” Hurley took the criticism from some of those directors in stride following the vote. “It’s been a very difficult process and, as you can see, not everyone always agrees on everything,” Hurley said. “That’s democracy, and that’s why we have 41 people sitting around that table trying to make the best decisions possible.” Metro Vancouver households will pay an average of $897 for the year in 2026, or $75 a month.
