What We Know So Far: Vancouver’s Building Inspector Scandal

It sounds like something out of a Netflix drama, but it’s real—and it happened right here in Vancouver.

A senior building inspector at the City of Vancouver has been exposed for a massive conflict of interest that went unchecked for nearly a decade. He signed off on construction work tied to his own private business—and the city did nothing.

Let’s break down what we know so far:

🚨 A Hidden Conflict in Plain Sight

According to Vancouver’s Auditor General, Mike Macdonell, the inspector was actively working with a private construction company while also inspecting projects—some of which he personally benefited from. In at least four cases, he signed off on permits connected to his own business.

This wasn't a one-time slip. It was a long-running, undocumented, unmitigated conflict that lasted for years.

🧾 The City Knew—But Looked Away

Worse still, complaints were made as early as 2015, again in 2016, and again in 2024. Internal investigations supposedly took place, but there are no official records of outcomes or disciplinary actions. The inspector was reassigned for a time, but later returned to the same department with no safeguards.

💰 Bribes, Hospitality, and a Culture of Silence

Inspectors regularly face offers of bribes and hospitality from developers and contractors, the Auditor General says. While no direct proof of bribe-taking was found in this case, one alleged bribery offer is now being investigated by the Vancouver Police Department.

But even without a smoking gun, the damage is done. The system was compromised, and trust has been shattered.

📋 A 19-Point Plan… But No Timeline

The Auditor General has released 19 recommendations to prevent future conflicts of interest. These include:

Mandatory annual conflict declarations
Independent audits of inspection files
Clear guidelines on how to report and act on red flags

But here’s the catch: there’s no public timeline for when these recommendations will be implemented, and no watchdog assigned to enforce them.

⚠️ Why This Matters for Everyone

This story isn’t just about one corrupt official—it’s about a broken system.

While developers cut deals in backrooms, the rest of us pay more for housing, for transit, and for basic safety.

TransLink just raised fares again, while their CEO takes home over $500,000 a year.
Homelessness and overdoses are on the rise.
And now we find out the city’s own inspectors may have helped fuel the very crisis they were paid to prevent.

🐾 We Need a Real Watchdog

This is exactly why Vancouver—and BC as a whole—needs a truly independent watchdog:

Someone to monitor not just politicians, but mid-level city staff and their connections.
Someone who cares about the people being left behind while public servants line their pockets.
Someone who will speak up before the damage is done, not after.

🧭 Where We Go From Here

We need:

Immediate public action on the Auditor General’s 19 recommendations
Transparency reports showing real progress
Journalists and investigators willing to follow the money, expose the conflicts, and keep asking questions

If we don’t fight for accountability now, we’ll keep watching the same show on repeat: power protecting itself while the people pay the price.

Stay informed. Stay vocal. Stay loud.

✊

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Building Inspector Scandal