Independent review team confirmed for North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

THE Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Board has approved a proposal for the independent review of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project. The review will be conducted by an independent team led by Rob Andrews of EXP Engineering.

“Our team’s deep expertise in evaluating complex infrastructure projects makes us well equipped to conduct a thorough, balanced, and independent review of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project,” said Andrews on Friday. “We look forward to sharing the results of a rigorous and impartial review, with recommendations for future projects.”

The independent review will provide a comprehensive account of:

• The evolution of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant’s budget since the project’s inception and the key factors contributing to cost increases;
• Metro Vancouver’s management of the project since inception, including whether cost increases and risks could have been prevented;
• An assessment of whether Metro Vancouver’s governance, oversight structure, and controls support successful delivery of the project; and
• Any recommendations to mitigate cost and schedule risk through completion of the project and for future Metro Vancouver projects.

The independent review team will have full access to Metro Vancouver’s documents related to the project’s history, finances, governance, and delivery. The team will complete its review and report back to the public through a Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Board meeting by the end of January 2027.

The Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Board initiated the process to explore an independent review in June 2024. The review process had been paused while litigation with the project’s former contractor was before the courts. The litigation has been settled.

About the Independent Review Team

Rob Andrews – Leadership in Wastewater Treatment Plant Design and Capital Delivery

With more than 45 years of experience, Rob Andrews leads EXP Engineering’s Infrastructure group in Central Canada, overseeing water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure. Throughout his career, he has assembled and led multidisciplinary teams delivering large, complex, and innovative capital projects and programs, including those using alternative project delivery models. Andrews previously served as CEO and President of the Ontario Clean Water Agency, a provincial Crown agency reporting to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation, and Parks. He has also acted as an advisor on major initiatives including the Capital Regional District McLaughlin Wastewater Treatment Plant, new legislation governing the $5.2 billion Upper York Wastewater System, and recently to the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on new legislation establishing the Region of Peel Water/Wastewater Utility, with a focus on financial, governance, and leadership frameworks.

Gary Webster – Global Expertise in Infrastructure Governance and Risk Management

Gary Webster brings over 45 years of experience in the procurement, governance, and implementation of major public-sector infrastructure projects. As a senior strategic advisor to the California High-Speed Rail Project and the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 expansion, Webster has played a pivotal role in shaping cost-effective project delivery strategies. His work in major capital projects, including the Gateway Program for the BC Ministry of Transportation, makes him well suited to assess the financial viability of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Project’s revised budget and to identify best practices for cost containment and risk mitigation. His deep understanding of global megaprojects, in particular around governance, leadership, procurement, and commercial contract structuring, ensure that the review will remain focused on governance and leadership and financial performance across the project lifecycle.

Ed Green – Cost Estimation, Risk Analysis, and Construction Planning and Execution

Ed Green is a recognized expert in project cost estimation, schedule and risk analysis, and contract evaluation for complex infrastructure projects. With unique experience as both a Tier 1 contractor and then as an owner’s engineer he has the ability to view project execution through a contracting lens to better understand how decisions in project planning can impact effective project execution, schedule, and cost. His work on the Surrey Langley SkyTrain Project, Fraser River Tunnel Project, and the Fraser Valley Highway 1 Improvement Program demonstrates his ability to conduct detailed budget assessments, procurement analysis, and risk evaluations. His ability to assess cost realism and schedule reliability will be instrumental in evaluating the financial foundation for project completion.

Al Knight – Infrastructure Governance and Performance Evaluation

Al Knight has a strong background in infrastructure project oversight, ensuring compliance with governance best practices. His expertise in evaluating project management structures and financial controls will be particularly relevant in assessing the performance of the project team since the termination of the previous contract. His keen analytical skills and experience in financial risk assessment will help ensure that project governance decisions align with industry best practices. Knight is also a well-known expert in project estimating and has been engaged in this capacity on numerous projects.