Latest news with #BrendaLocke
Global News
24-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Metro Vancouver board makes changes after damning governance report
Following a report by Deloitte, which deemed the Metro Vancouver Regional District's governance structure 'large and unwieldy,' some money-saving decisions were made at Friday's board meeting. The board says it will eliminate meeting fees while travelling on Metro Vancouver business and eliminate double stipends for meetings exceeding four hours. 2:13 Metro Vancouver governance review released 'I think it was important to deal with that today,' Metro Vancouver Chair Mike Hurley said. 'Could I put a number on what that savings will be? In my experience, it wouldn't be very much.' Story continues below advertisement Metro Vancouver says it will also create a governance committee and strengthen the organization's internal audit function. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'I still do think there's need for major systemic changes, and I think you pointed to many of those, and hopefully that will be part of the overall governance review as we move forward,' Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said. After the board meeting, Deloitte report author Shayne Gregg told reporters his company had 'done a lot of governance reviews that I would say are a lot more damning than that one.' 'But in terms of the opportunity there, I think that's where I'm focused,' he added. 'The processes are generally in place now and working well.' 4:45 Metro Vancouver votes on cost saving measures During the meeting, new questions were raised by the finance committee chair, who is a chartered professional accountant. Story continues below advertisement 'The problem is, I'm not able to do my job here with knowing that there is information that is lacking and not transparent,' Pardeep Kooner, a Surrey Councillor, said. 'I'm just trying to figure out where the accountability lies.' Chair Mike Hurley later responded, saying, 'Director Kooner is more worried about her professional designation and how she would do things, and those questions are all very valid and will be answered; however, I'm not concerned at all about how Metro Vancouver handles finances.' Metro Vancouver's governance review was announced earlier this year, following spending revelations and news the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant is an $3 billion overbudget.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Global News
Surrey plans to build 10,000-seat arena and entertainment district
The City of Surrey will be home to a new 10,000-seat arena and entertainment district, if all goes according to plan. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke confirmed during her State of the City address that city councillors are working towards a plan to build the new arena. The city will be searching for a development advisor in the next few weeks to help guide the project and expect to select an operating partner later this year, Locke said. Work on the site is targeted to begin in 2027 and will also include roughly 100,000 square feet of retail and office space and a hotel with conference facilities. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This will become a place for families to enjoy the best sporting and entertainment venues right here in the city of Surrey,' Locke said. Story continues below advertisement 1:16 Surrey council breaks ground on new Cloverdale sports facility Locke did not say if a dollar figure had been attached to the project yet. 'If Surrey wants to move forward they need to be accountable with taxpayer money,' said Carson Binda with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. 'That means proactively releasing things like contracts, proactively and in a timely fashion releasing cost estimates and all the other contracts surrounding this stadium.' City council will also have to approve the project before it can move forward.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Health
- CBC
Surrey mayor announces new health-care administrator, as city witnesses rapid growth
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has laid out plans aimed at keeping up with the city's growing population, set to surpass Vancouver's by 2030. The mayor held her annual state-of-the-city address and spoke of the need to expand health-care facilities and access in Surrey and White Rock. CBC's Michelle Morton has more.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Surrey mayor delivers state of the city address
Vancouver Watch Brenda Locke used her state of the city address Wednesday to highlight Surrey's growth and call out the provincial government.
CTV News
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Surrey mayor highlights growth, critiques NDP government in state of the city address
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke delivers her state of the city address on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (CTV News)
