George V. Harvie was first elected Mayor of the City of Delta in 2018 and is currently serving his first term as Chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors.
Mayor Harvie, a long-time resident of South Delta, was appointed Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Delta in 2001. Before this appointment, he was employed with the City of Burnaby where he served over 30 years in a number of positions including Deputy City Manager, Director of Human Resources and Manager of the Environmental Health Department. For his outstanding community service, he was recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
A strong advocate for the Delta community, he was successful in bringing together senior levels of government to resolve local issues and bring significant benefits to Delta. With his vision and leadership, he transformed Delta’s financial management to place Delta as one of the best managed municipalities in British Columbia. With 45 years of local government service, he provided leadership to all departments to ensure they met their responsibilities and that Council’s directions and policies were carried out.
During his first term, Mayor Harvie led the City to numerous major accomplishments, including a new $8 million track and field facility at North Delta Secondary School, completion of the Douglas J. Husband Discovery Centre, streamlined permitting for outdoor patios for restaurants and cafés, a cover for the Ladner Lacrosse Box, pop-up parks throughout Delta, important action on diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, a Housing Action Plan and key planning efforts in communities, and many more supports for various community interests, achieved through collaboration with regional counterparts and senior levels of government. Most of these achievements were completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which required strong and prudent leadership to keep the community safe while ensuring Delta continued moving forward in all aspects of civic life. Mayor Harvie looks forward to continued growth and accomplishments in the future.
Mayor Harvie has a B.A. in Economics from Simon Fraser University, an Administrative Management Special Certificate and an Environmental Health Diploma of Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology. He also studied Advanced Management at Dalhousie University.
Priorities and Initiatives
Young families and seniors are leaving Delta due to a lack of affordable housing choices. We are working with staff to prepare a Housing Action Plan that addresses the City’s current and future housing needs; this includes the housing needs of youth, seniors, and the most vulnerable. We want to keep generations together by working with housing agencies, senior governments, and developers to invest in the best housing options for our communities.
To support the plan, we are taking immediate steps to streamline municipal processes by reducing development timelines so that projects can be completed faster and more affordably; all while protecting agricultural land and the character of Delta’s communities. We are excited to work with local builders to identify opportunities for development in town centres and priority areas such as Scott Road and the Ladner Waterfront.
Learn more about Delta’s Housing Action Plan.
The purpose of the Mayor’s Youth Council is to provide Council with input on issues affecting youth, increase education and awareness of local government in Delta’s youth, and build future civic leaders. Is the future of our environment top of mind for you? The first task of the Mayor's Youth Council will be to help shape how Delta moves forward with tackling climate change!
Mandate
Consistent with its purpose, the Mayor’s Youth Council:
- Acts as a resource for Council on issues affecting youth in Delta - starting with climate change!
- Provides the youth viewpoint to Council on issues such as community safety, health, affordable housing, education, recreation, employment, planning, transportation, and the environment.
- Makes non-binding recommendations to Council on issues affecting youth in Delta.
- Fulfills the direction of Council and undertakes additional duties as required.
- Provides an opportunity for Delta youth to become involved with local government and learn about how local government operates.
At the Mayor’s request, the Mayor’s Youth Council will make presentations to Council and have the opportunity for direct dialogue. At the end of each calendar year, the Mayor’s Youth Council will present Council with a report that includes a summary of annual achievements and a proposed work program for the coming year. Sub‑committees of the Youth Council may be formed to expediently address specific issues.
Membership
The Mayor’s Youth Council consists of 12 youth voting members who will serve annual terms at the pleasure of the Mayor with the possibility of two renewals for a maximum of three total terms. Members must be between the ages of 15 and 23 and reside in Delta. The Mayor retains discretion on the makeup of the Mayor’s Youth Council, including the replacement of members as necessary, and will act as a non-voting co-chair to support the chair elected annually by Mayor’s Youth Council members and to facilitate efficient meetings. Efforts will be made to ensure each Delta School District secondary school and each of Delta’s communities is represented.
Non-voting resource members of the Mayor’s Youth Council may include: the Mayor, City Manager, Delta staff (who will support the creation of agendas and the taking of minutes), representation from the Delta School District, a School Liaison Officer from the Delta Police Department, and other representatives deemed appropriate by the Mayor or the Mayor’s Youth Council.
Meetings
The Mayor’s Youth Council meets quarterly, at the call of the chair or Mayor, rotating meetings to appropriate locations in the community. A quorum is seven voting members. Meeting agendas, minutes, and reports will be prepared and distributed with the assistance of Delta staff.
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our Delta Police Department and Delta Fire and Emergency Services, Delta is one of the safest places to live in Canada. To ensure that Delta maintains this high standard, we’ve established a Mayor’s Public Safety Committee.
The Committee works closely with the Delta Police Department, Delta Fire and Emergency Services, and various community service representatives to help guide the City’s safety initiatives and to improve public safety throughout all of Delta.
Council also supports families and individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues. We want to have services available in Delta that meet the needs of our residents and commit to supporting local families that are seeking help for their loved ones.
To protect Delta’s most vulnerable residents, Council is working closely with the Delta School District to ensure that at-risk youth are protected and that students are educated on the dangers of drug use, gang involvement, and violence.
The George Massey Tunnel is a critical component of a transportation network that supports the local, regional and provincial economies, as well as facilitating trade through the Asia-Pacific Gateway. Since the Tunnel opened in 1959, Metro Vancouver’s population and economy have grown significantly. As a result, traffic congestion and safety at the George Massey Tunnel have become major issues for the Delta community, and Delta Council have worked tirelessly to make it a priority issue for the Provincial government. A new crossing is urgently needed to improve safety, reduce vehicle collisions and improve emergency response times at the existing George Massey tunnel.
Updates
On August 18, 2021 the Province announced that a new eight-lane immersed-tube tunnel will replace the George Massey Tunnel on Highway 99, provide people a toll-free crossing that aligns with regional interests and improves transit, cycling and walking connections across the Fraser River.
The new eight-lane tunnel will be in operation in 2030, with the cost estimated at $4.15 billion. Two of the eight lanes will be dedicated for bus rapid transit, and there will be separated pathways for cyclists and pedestrians. In the interim, the Province has started work to reduce traffic congestion by launching projects to improve transit and cycling infrastructure along the Highway 99 corridor and replace the Steveston Interchange.
Council was supportive of my plan to improve access to Regular Council Meetings for North Delta residents. We now alternate meetings evenly between North Delta and South Delta, providing equal opportunity for all residents to stay informed on the business of Council.
Regular Council Meetings are also available by live stream, using any device that has access to the internet, and on television through Delta Cable. The archived video is available the day after a meeting online.
Mayor's Letters
January 28, 2022
- Letter from The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, in response to Mayor Harvie's December 6, 2021 letter requesting that steps be taken to engage the Heron Hospice Society to provide supportive care and bereavement counselling to family and friends of patients at the hospice. View the full letter.
February 11, 2022
- Letter to Karen Rust, President, Pickleball Canada and Walter Knecht, President,
Pickleball BC, encouraging these organizations to pursue equipment updates and other best practices to mitigate the growing noise concern associated with pickleball courts. View the full letter.
February 14, 2022
- Letters to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, and the Honourable John Horgan, notifying these parties that Delta Council unanimously endorsed recommendations that the federal government be requested to postpone its decision on the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 (RBT2) project or deny approval of RBT2. View the full letter to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, or the Honourable John Horgan.
March 1, 2022
- Letter to the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety & Solicitor General, requesting that the online process for Temporary Expanded Service Areas be extended indefinitely to ensure the survival of struggling food and beverage establishments. View the full letter.
March 11, 2022
- Letter to Delta resident John Horton, congratulating him on his appointment to the Order of British Columbia. View the full letter.
March 25, 2022
- Letter to Wayne Rideout, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director of Police Services, thanking the Province for providing funding to British Columbia police departments to purchase replacement naloxone kits. View the full letter.
March 31, 2022
- Letter to Seaquam Secondary student Aditi Kini, congratulating her on being awarded the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship. View the full letter.
January 7, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable Selina Robinson regarding the Speculation and Vacancy Tax. View the full letter.
January 11, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO, Fraser Health Authority regarding the continuation of Service at the Irene Thomas Hospice. Read More. View the full letter.
January 22, 2021
- Letter to Chair Sav Dhaliwal, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors regarding the Boundary Bay Regional Park Trail System. View the full letter.
January 22, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development regarding the Management of Brunswick Point Natural Areas. View the full letter.
January 22, 2021
- Letter to Councilor Nolan Charles, Musqueam Indian Band, and Stephen Bruyneel, Director, Fraser River Discovery Centre regarding the Support for Fraser River Discovery Centre's Place of Learning About Indigenous History of the Fraser River. View the full letter.
February 25, 2021
- Letter from The Honourable Selina Robinson regarding the Speculation and Vacancy Tax. View the full letter.
March 1, 2021
- Letter to Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO, Fraser Health Authority regarding the importance of having a COVID-19 vaccination site in North Delta. View the full letter.
March 10, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health regarding Emergency Medical Care in British Columbia. View the full letter.
March 11, 2021
- Letter to Sav Dhaliwal, Chair, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors regarding the single-use item reduction advocacy for consistent regional regulations. View the full letter.
April 12, 2021
- Letter responding to Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO, Fraser Health, regarding trained Delta firefighters serving as COVID-19 immunizers at Fraser Health clinics. View the full letter.
April 14, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, regarding priority vaccinations for Delta's first responders. View the full letter.
April 20, 2021
- Letter of thanks to Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health and Dr. Victoria Lee for their combined efforts to support Delta residents throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. View the full letter.
May 7, 2021
- Letter to Carmela Allevato, Chair, Passenger Transportation Board, requesting accelerated approvals for passenger directed vehicles and transportation network services to support the safety of Delta residents who need a safe ride home from Vancouver. View the full letter.
May 11, 2021
- Letter to Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO, Fraser Health, confirming the City of Delta's interest in exploring options to acquire a head lease for the Harold and Veronica Savage Centre for Supportive Care. View the full letter.
May 20, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General requesting action to enhance public safety during the Lower Mainland District Gang Conflict. View the full letter.
May 26, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard requesting that the Federal Government increase enforcement and add multi-lingual signage to discourage illegal shellfish harvesting. View the full letter.
June 2, 2021
- Letter to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, calling on the federal government to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, in particular those that relate to missing children and burial information, and for the full disclosure of related records by the federal government and churches involved in the administration of residential schools. View the full letter.
June 10, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, calling on the Province to establish a replacement program with funding equal to or greater than the recently discontinued Climate Action Revenue Incentive Program. View the full letter.
June 11, 2021
- Letter to Mayor of Surrey Doug McCallum, requesting the City of Surrey's 84 Avenue Road Improvement Project consider a number of key principles designed to maintain public safety along this significant corridor. View the full letter.
June 17, 2021
- Joint letter with Mayor of Richmond Malcolm Brodie, Chief Ken Baird, Tsawwassen First Nation and Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band, sent to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau and the Honourable John Horgan. The letter requests collaborative action to establish a sustainable dredging program to mitigate the economic, social and environmental impacts that occur when sediment is allowed to accumulate and block important local waterways. View the full letter.
August 16, 2021
- Letter to Sav Dhaliwal, Chair, Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, requesting a compliance audit of the GFL Environmental Delta Organics Facility in east Ladner. The purpose of the audit would be to ensure GFL is complying with the terms of the Composting Facility Licence issued under the Solid Waste and Recyclable Material Regulatory Bylaw. View the full letter.
September 1, 2021
- Letter to Kevin Quinn, Chief Executive Officer of TransLink, requesting the provision of improved transit service levels to support the growth initiatives taking place in the City of Delta. These initiatives include the industrial lands development within Tsawwassen First Nation and the anticipated revitalization of Ladner Village. View the full letter.
October 15, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, regarding increased concerns about unacceptable E-Comm 9-1-1 wait times and the risk to public safety arising from such delays in call-taking and dispatch. View the full letter.
October 15, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, requesting a full audit of the GFL Compost Facility and that the Environmental Management Act be amended to define odorous air contaminants and endorse measurement standards for regulatory purposes. View the full letter.
October 19, 2021
- Letter to The Honourable John Horgan, Premier of British Columbia, thanking the Premier and his staff for taking the time to meet to discuss the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, the provincial approval processes for infrastructure
projects, secondary channel dredging, and affordable housing in Delta. View the full letter.
October 27, 2021
- Joint letter with Mayor of Richmond Malcolm Brodie, Chief Ken Baird, Tsawwassen First Nation and Chief Wayne Sparrow, Musqueam Indian Band, sent to the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau. The letter requests the development of a comprehensive, funded, long-term plan for maintaining the local channels of the lower Fraser River. View the full letter.
November 16, 2021
- Letter to Kevin Quinn, Chief Executive Officer, TransLink, to provide feedback on the Transport 2050 Draft Regional Transportation Strategy and the proposed Fast and Reliable Transit Network with this strategy. View the full letter.
November 22, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Selina Robinson, Minister of Finance, in response to her formal invitation to participate in the third annual consultation on the Speculation and Vacancy Tax on December 2, 2021. View the full letter.
November 25, 2021
- Letter to Julie Chadwick, Executive Director, in response to her letter regarding additional funding for Seniors Counselling Program. View the full letter.
December 6, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Victoria Lee, President and CEO Fraser Health Authority, requesting that immediate steps be taken to engage the Heron Hospice Society to provide supportive care and bereavement counselling to family and friends of patients at the hospice. View the full letter.
December 6, 2021
- Letter to Delta residents providing information on available mental health and wellbeing resources in our community. View the full letter.
December 7, 2021
- Letter to the Honourable Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, highlighting elements for consideration in the George Massey Crossing Project scope. View the full letter.
December 7, 2021
- Letter to Shayne Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer, BC Housing, on behalf of the Delta Housing Be Mine Society, requesting a review of the eligibility criteria for rental assistance and the implementation of changes that would qualify single people with diverse abilities for financial support. View the full letter.
November 20, 2020
- Letter to the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Diversity Inclusion, regarding accessible fuel services in Delta. View the full letter.
November 25, 2020
- Letter to Kevin Desmond, Chief Executive Officer of TransLink, regarding the Scott Road RapidBus R6 Project. View the full letter.
December 18, 2020
- Letter to The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Health, regarding the Drug Overdose Crisis. View the full letter.