Surrey Takes Legal Action Against Metro Vancouver Over Economic Development Agency
The City of Surrey has initiated a significant legal challenge against Metro Vancouver, filing a petition with the British Columbia Supreme Court that seeks to declare the regional authority's economic development agency illegitimate. This lawsuit represents the latest escalation in ongoing tensions between Surrey and the regional governing body.
Mayor Locke's Stance on Invest Vancouver
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has been vocal in her criticism of Metro Vancouver's economic development group, Invest Vancouver, stating unequivocally that the agency provides "no value to the citizens, residents and taxpayers of Surrey." Locke emphasized that her city already maintains its own economic development organization, Invest Surrey, and intends to continue funding that initiative while seeking to withdraw from the regional counterpart.
"Metro Vancouver has lost its way with scope-creep, rising costs and all of that," Locke declared. "We have been talking about that pretty much since I became mayor. We don't think that we are getting value for money."
The Core Legal Arguments
In the court petition filed on April 1, Surrey's legal team presents several key arguments:
- Metro Vancouver created Invest Vancouver without the necessary establishing bylaw
- The agency was established without proper authorization from member municipalities
- Metro Vancouver has engaged in "scope-creep" by expanding beyond its traditional responsibilities of water and sewage management
The city's petition reveals that Surrey has contributed more than $2.6 million to Invest Vancouver since 2019, with the agency's budget for 2025 set at $4.75 million, of which $4.2 million comes from Metro's member municipalities.
Metro Vancouver's Position and Defense
Metro Vancouver has acknowledged Surrey's legal challenge but has not yet filed a formal response in court. A spokesperson for the regional authority stated that Metro is "aware of Surrey's petition, and will respond fully through the appropriate legal process."
The regional authority maintains that the creation of Invest Vancouver falls within its authorized scope of services and does not require a separate establishing bylaw. According to Metro's position, "Invest Vancouver was developed through a transparent governance process, with multiple board endorsements, including approval through the annual budgeting process."
Background and Context of the Dispute
Invest Vancouver was established in 2021 as a regional economic development service focused on attracting foreign direct investment to the Metro Vancouver region. According to a February 2025 memo from Metro Vancouver, the agency has achieved notable success since 2022, landing 18 companies worth more than $1.3 billion in investments and creating more than 960 jobs for the region.
The memo also notes that all other major economic centers in Canada maintain similar economic development organizations, positioning Invest Vancouver as a standard regional initiative rather than an exceptional case.
Broader Implications for Regional Governance
This legal challenge represents more than just a dispute over a single agency. It reflects growing tensions between municipal and regional authorities regarding jurisdictional boundaries and spending priorities. Surrey's petition includes several pages of exhibits, including written correspondence between Surrey City Manager Rob Costanzo and Metro Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny over several months last year, indicating that this conflict has been brewing for some time.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how regional authorities in British Columbia establish and fund new initiatives, potentially setting precedents for municipal-regional relationships across the province.
