Media release: August 18, 2026

MEDIA RELEASE

White Rock Councillor and Mayoral Candidate Susan Bains Signs Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter

Bains becomes eighth mayor or mayoral candidate to back growing regional push for reform

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metro Vancouver, B.C. (August 18, 2026) - White Rock City Councillor and mayoral candidate Susan Bains has signed the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter, becoming the eighth mayor or mayoral candidate to support the growing regional movement for greater accountability, transparency and financial discipline at Metro Vancouver.

Bains was elected to White Rock City Council in a September 2025 by-election. A longtime White Rock resident with a professional background in human resources, entrepreneurship and community leadership Bains said signing the Charter reflects her commitment to responsible stewardship of taxpayers' money.

“Residents expect every level of government to respect the money taxpayers entrust to us,” said Bains. “Metro Vancouver provides important regional services, but with that responsibility must come transparency, strong financial oversight and clear accountability. I'm signing the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter because I believe we can strengthen regional government, restore public confidence and ensure taxpayers receive better value for their money.”

Richmond City Councillor and mayoral candidate Kash Heed, who co-launched the Charter earlier this year, welcomed Bains to the growing coalition of municipal leaders seeking reform.

“Susan understands that taxpayers expect their elected representatives to ask tough questions and demand accountability,” said Heed. “Her decision to sign the Charter demonstrates that concern about Metro Vancouver's governance isn't confined to the largest municipalities. Residents in communities like White Rock are also paying the bills and deserve a meaningful voice in how regional government operates.”

The Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter proposes a five-point reform agenda addressing ethical compensation, transparency, regional governance, independent oversight and a review of Metro Vancouver's core services and spending.

Eight Leaders. Seven Communities. One Call for Accountability.

With Bains joining the initiative, the Metro Vancouver Accountability Charter has now been signed by eight current mayors or 2026 mayoral candidates:

• Coun. Daniel Fontaine — New Westminster mayoral candidate

• Coun. Kash Heed — Richmond mayoral candidate

• Mayor Ken Sim — Vancouver mayoral candidate

• Coun. Linda Annis — Surrey mayoral candidate

• Kirk LaPointe — West Vancouver mayoral candidate

• Colleen Hardwick — Vancouver mayoral candidate

• Coun. Dylan Kruger — Delta mayoral candidate

• Coun. Susan Bains — White Rock mayoral candidate

Bains said the increasingly broad support for reform demonstrates why municipalities need to work together following the October election.

“No single municipality can reform regional government on its own,” said Bains. “It will take mayors and councils from across Metro Vancouver working together, finding common ground and being prepared to challenge the status quo. White Rock residents deserve a strong voice in that conversation, and I intend to make sure they have one.”

New Westminster City Councillor and mayoral candidate Daniel Fontaine, who co-launched the Charter with Heed, said Bains' decision represents another important step toward building a regional coalition for change.

“What started as a call for reform from two city councillors is steadily becoming a regional movement,” said Fontaine. “Susan's decision to sign means voters in yet another Metro Vancouver community will have an opportunity this October to support a mayoral candidate committed to meaningful reform. Different communities have different priorities, but taxpayers everywhere expect transparency, accountability and value for their money.”

The Charter calls for five major reforms, including eliminating additional Metro Vancouver compensation for mayors participating in regional governance, an independent review of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, creation of a smaller directly elected Mayors' Council, support for independent local-government oversight, and an independent core-services review of Metro Vancouver programs and spending within 90 days following the election.