Over 52 pages that took a swift four months to produce, the Deloitte Canada management consultancy has confirmed comprehensively what we have seen and heard far too often in recent years: that the board of the Metro Vancouver Regional District is a hot mess.

Unwieldy and overrun by the region’s growth requirements.

Inadequately experienced because of the high turnover rate of the board’s municipal officials at election time.

In need of greater insight and controls into risks and finances of projects and the operation of the organization itself.

Insufficiently governed on integrity, oversight and ethical implementation of its policies.

Conflicted by its board’s dual duties of balancing interests municipally and regionally.

Hobbled by a “culture of heightened mistrust and frustration,” deepened by restraints that come with litigation and confidentiality.

And, while not improperly compensated, overpaid because of inefficiency.

There is more, but really, this is more than enough to launch the makeover that the report suggests—and even more beyond it.

As the organization chews on the study in the days and weeks ahead—the formal tabling Friday will certainly stir discussion—the central problem is that we’re asking the organization to reform itself, when it’s actually time for the province to roll up the........

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