METRO Vancouver on Monday told The VOICE that it “wanted to confirm that the budget for the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant remains $3.86 billion.”

Surrey Councillor Pardeep Kooner of Surrey Connect had claimed at a press conference on Tuesday morning that the “true cost” to taxpayers for the treatment plant is $5.5 billion. “That is $1.6 billion more than the previous number of $3.86 billion,” she said.

In an emailed statement, Metro Vancouver said: “The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Program is funded from several sources, including federal government grants, development cost charges, the Acciona settlement, and utility rates. Only a portion of the costs are borrowed.

“Debt servicing is not typically included in capital project cost estimates for local governments. The annual rates Metro Vancouver projected include debt servicing. There is not expected to be an additional increase to residents for the project.”

It added: “Director Kooner has not shared her model or assumptions with Metro Vancouver to understand how she came to her number.”