| Work Detail |
Metro Vancouver announced that the MWGK Independent Review Team has been selected to conduct the independent audit of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program. The team will be led by Peter Milburn, best known for his role in the Site C Dam Review (Milburn Report) and the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4 Project, where he demonstrated his ability to conduct thorough evaluations of budget escalations and governance structures. “The collective experience of our team uniquely positions us to conduct a rigorous and impartial assessment of the project’s financial evolution, budget reliability, project management function, and governance,” said Milburn. “We look forward to getting to work and to sharing results back to the Board with recommendations for the future.” The MWGK Independent Review Team was assembled by Milburn and comprises four highly accomplished professionals having in excess of 160 years of combined experience in successfully leading and delivering major projects in British Columbia and abroad. This experience brings with it unique expertise in project governance, financial oversight, risk management, and cost control in large-scale infrastructure projects. “When I came in as the chair of the Metro Vancouver Board, I committed to bringing in an independent party to review the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program,” said Mike Hurley, chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors. “The reviewer was selected by an independent legal advisor. We look forward to sharing the results of this work with the public once complete.” The review team was recommended by John J. L. Hunter, K.C. from Hunter Litigation Chambers, whose services were retained by the Metro Vancouver Board in September 2024. Hunter selected and recommended the MWGK Independent Review Team through a request for proposals process. MWGK Independent Review Team Peter Milburn – Leadership in Government Infrastructure and Financial Oversight As the former Deputy Minister of Finance and Secretary to the Treasury Board of British Columbia, Peter Milburn has extensive experience overseeing large-scale public infrastructure projects and multi-billion-dollar budgets. His role in the Site C Dam Review (Milburn Report) and the Kicking Horse Canyon Phase 4 project has demonstrated his ability to conduct thorough evaluations of budget escalations and governance structures. His expertise in risk analysis, financial modeling, and procurement strategy will provide essential insight into how the NSWWTP budget evolved, the factors contributing to cost increases, and the financial reliability of the project’s current cost estimate. Milburn was also Executive Project Director leading the highly successful Sea to Sky Highway improvement project from conception through to operations and understands well the unique issues that need to be addressed by government agencies to successfully deliver a major project in British Columbia. 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 exceptionally well suited to assess the financial viability of NSWWTP’s revised budget and to identify best practices for cost containment and risk mitigation. His deep understanding of contract structuring and dispute resolution will also ensure that the review remains focused on governance and financial performance without interfering with the ongoing litigation with the previous contractor. Ed Green – Cost Estimation, Risk Analysis, and Construction Planning and Execution Ed Green is a recognized expert in project cost estimation, construction management, 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. |
