The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant: Why It Matters to North Vancouver Residents
- Krishna Raisinghani
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant isn't a City of North Vancouver project. It's owned and managed by Metro Vancouver.
That distinction matters, but so does the fact that Metro Vancouver's decisions directly affect what North Shore residents pay on their utility bills.
When the project was announced, it was expected to cost approximately $700 million and be completed in 2020. Today, the projected cost has grown to $3.86 billion, with completion now expected in 2030.
Because North Shore communities are responsible for a significant share of the project's cost overruns, those increases will be reflected in future utility bills.
Recently, Metro Vancouver received a $235 million settlement from the project's original contractor. North Shore mayors asked that the full settlement be used to reduce the North Shore's share of the cost overruns. The proposal was not approved, and the settlement was instead shared across the region.
Whether you agreed with that decision or not, I believe residents deserve to understand how these decisions are made and how they affect their household finances.
Throughout my career, I've worked in finance and strategy, helping organizations manage large budgets, identify financial risks, and improve decision-making before problems become much larger and more expensive. Those same skills can bring value to public service.
As our communities continue to grow and major regional infrastructure projects move forward, strong financial oversight and thoughtful governance matter more than ever.
If elected, I'll continue breaking down complex issues into plain language, asking tough questions early, and working to ensure residents have clear, transparent information about where their money is going.
Source: North Shore News, "Metro rejects North Shore request for sewage plant settlement money."
