Metro Vancouver Freezes Staff Travel Amid Outrage Over Spending and Tax Hike

Under mounting criticism for costly staff trips and soaring budget demands, Metro Vancouver has ordered a freeze on out-of-province travel for professional development. The move comes in the wake of allegations about extravagant travel, including a recent staff trip to an internet conference in Lisbon, which critics have slammed as wasteful spending.

The decision has implications for Vancouver residents, as Metro Vancouver collects a portion of property taxes directly to fund regional services such as water, sewage treatment, and waste management. These taxes are set to rise as part of the regional district’s recently approved 2025 budget, which includes a nearly 10 percent increase.

Regional district chief administrative officer Jerry Dobrovolny announced the decision in an email to staff Wednesday, emphasizing the need to “ensure the effective use of all funds, and any potential savings,” according to Postmedia. The move follows scrutiny over recent travel, including a trip to Lisbon for an internet conference by a Metro Invest Vancouver staff member, partly funded by federal contributions.

Metro spokesperson Amanda McCuaig said staff travel has been significantly scaled back since July, when board chair Mike Hurley called for a halt to international travel by elected officials. The decision came after controversy over a $4 billion overrun in the North Shore sewage treatment plant project.

“We need to be mindful of decisions about discretionary spending,” McCuaig said. “Professional accreditation is important, but we must balance it with financial responsibility.”

Dobrovolny stated that future travel will require significant justification and his personal approval, with exceptions made for pre-booked conferences or critical emergency-related activities. He acknowledged Metro’s financial challenges, particularly given the region’s largest-ever capital plan, and called for careful scrutiny of all expenditures.

Metro’s 2025 budget includes a nearly 10 percent tax hike, a decision criticized by North Shore representatives as a potential “breaking point” for families. The district aims to limit the 2026 increase to below its projected five percent target, McCuaig added.