Metro Vancouver parts ways with CAO Jerry Dobrovolny as election season nears and governance reforms continue. Heather McNell takes over on an acting basis.
Metro Vancouver has parted ways with its top administrator, Jerry Dobrovolny, in a major leadership shake-up ahead of the region’s municipal election.
Dobrovolny served as Metro Vancouver’s commissioner and chief administrative officer since 2019. Now, Heather McNell, a deputy CAO, will lead the organization on an acting basis.
The move comes at a key moment for the regional government. At the same time, Metro Vancouver faces pressure over governance, major projects and public spending.
Leadership change comes before election
Metro Vancouver board chair Mike Hurley said the leadership change comes as the region prepares for the upcoming municipal election.
The board is also working through governance reforms. Therefore, the change could shape how Metro Vancouver manages its operations in the months ahead.
The CAO holds a central role within Metro Vancouver. The position oversees daily operations and provides advice to the board on policy and administrative matters.
As a result, Dobrovolny’s departure marks more than a change at the top. It also arrives while the regional district faces growing questions about leadership and accountability.
Wastewater project drew growing scrutiny
Meanwhile, one major issue has followed Dobrovolny’s tenure: the troubled North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The project has faced years of delays and sharp cost increases. In March, two North Shore mayors called for a public inquiry into the project.
They said the estimated price had climbed to about $3.86 billion. That figure stood far above the original estimate of roughly $700 million in 2017.
The project has therefore become a major point of debate around Metro Vancouver’s spending and management.
However, the leadership change is not being presented as being tied to one issue alone. Instead, the timing comes amid broader governance reform and the approaching election.
Heather McNell steps into the role
For now, Heather McNell will take over as acting CAO.
McNell already serves as a deputy chief administrative officer at Metro Vancouver. Her appointment gives the regional district an experienced leader while the organization considers its next steps.
That transition could prove important. Metro Vancouver oversees major regional services, so steady leadership remains essential.
At the same time, the board will face pressure to explain its priorities and rebuild public confidence.
What happens next?
The leadership change leaves Metro Vancouver at a turning point.
On one hand, the regional district must keep major services moving. On the other hand, it must address concerns about governance, spending and large infrastructure projects.
The upcoming election will add another layer of public scrutiny.
For residents across Metro Vancouver, the key question is simple: what will this leadership change mean for the region’s biggest decisions?
For now, McNell has taken the helm. Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver must navigate a busy political period while tackling some of its most closely watched challenges.
