Jerry Dobrovolny out as Metro Vancouver's chief administrative officer
The Metro Vancouver regional district has parted ways with its CAO and commissioner following a closed-door board meeting. The departure comes amid governance reform and ahead of municipal elections.
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Jerry Dobrovolny has stepped down as chief administrative officer and commissioner of Metro Vancouver Regional District, a transition agreed upon by the board on Friday.
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley, board chair, confirmed the announcement Friday evening. "With the upcoming municipal election and ongoing governance reform, the board believes this is the right time to transition leadership and position the organization for its next chapter and has come to an agreement with Jerry regarding this transition," Hurley said in a statement. "On behalf of the board, I thank Jerry for his many years of public service and contributions to Metro Vancouver as an organization and a region."
Dobrovolny had served as CAO and commissioner since November 2019, joining from his role as general manager of engineering services for the City of Vancouver. During his tenure, Dobrovolny led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery, overseeing approximately 300 concurrent infrastructure projects and working with municipal, provincial and federal governments on regional priorities. He earned $567,338 in 2025.
Heather McNeil, deputy chief administrative officer for policy and planning, has been appointed acting chief administrative officer and commissioner during the transition. Metro Vancouver has not announced a timeline for naming a permanent replacement.
Dobrovolny and Metro Vancouver were also named in a defamation lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court by outgoing Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart, who claims defamation during public discussions of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant cost overruns. The plant now carries an estimated cost of $3.86 billion and is subject to independent review.
The departure comes as Metro Vancouver faces broader questions about governance. The organization held a closed-door meeting Wednesday to discuss personnel issues. On July 28, the organization had stated Dobrovolny was on leave. Metro's chief financial officer Harji Varn left the executive team in December 2025, with former CFO Linda Sabatini assuming the CFO role. The organization recently launched a "disinformation and misinformation" page on its website and had previously denied on that page that Dobrovolny's position was at risk.
What are the terms and cost of Dobrovolny's severance package?
Will the governance review findings be made public before the next election?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did Jerry Dobrovolny step down as Metro Vancouver's CAO?
Jerry Dobrovolny stepped down as chief administrative officer and commissioner of Metro Vancouver Regional District following a board decision on Friday, September 4, 2026.
How long did Jerry Dobrovolny serve as Metro Vancouver's CAO?
Dobrovolny served as chief administrative officer and commissioner since November 2019, a tenure spanning nearly seven years.
Who is serving as acting CAO during the transition?
Heather McNeil, deputy chief administrative officer for policy and planning, has been appointed acting chief administrative officer and commissioner during the transition.
What is the estimated cost of Metro Vancouver's North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant?
The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant now carries an estimated cost of $3.86 billion and is subject to independent review.
