Jerry Dobrovolny has stepped down as the chief administrative officer of Metro Vancouver Regional District before the upcoming municipal elections in British Columbia. Metro Vancouver, responsible for services across 21 municipalities in the Lower Mainland, has faced criticism for its governance structure and the escalating budget of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Dobrovolny, who joined the regional district in November 2019, was recently involved in a lawsuit related to the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, which has seen its estimated cost soar from $700 million in 2017 to $3.86 billion. In a statement on Friday, Burnaby Mayor and Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley expressed gratitude to Dobrovolny for his service and announced a leadership transition in preparation for the organization’s future.
During Dobrovolny’s tenure, Metro Vancouver managed to navigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a closed-door meeting on Wednesday to address personnel matters, the regional district stated that Dobrovolny was on leave in late July. Deputy CAO Heather McNell will serve as acting CAO and commissioner as the district transitions to a new leadership team, ensuring uninterrupted essential services to residents.
Before leading Metro Vancouver, Dobrovolny held positions as general manager of engineering services in the City of Vancouver and a city councillor in New Westminster. He was also a former CFL player drafted first overall by the Calgary Stampeders in 1983. In May 2025, Deloitte made recommendations for restructuring Metro Vancouver after financial controversies and accountability issues, in which Dobrovolny was under scrutiny for his earnings.
Criticism prompted a review resulting in reduced remuneration for Dobrovolny following board policy changes. Metro Vancouver’s governance reforms, including a reduction in the number of board members to 34 from a projected 45 pending provincial approval, were driven by public backlash. The organization aims to address concerns and enhance accountability in its operations moving forward.
[Source](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/jerry-dobrovolny-metro-vancouver-9.7333635)