The senior leadership of Metro Vancouver is facing intense scrutiny following the abrupt and unexplained departure of its chief financial officer, Harji Varn, and reports of potential turmoil involving its top administrator.
Sudden Departure Raises Questions and Potential Costs
Metro Vancouver confirmed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, that Harji Varn is no longer with the regional authority. The organization stated she had "moved on to pursue other opportunities" but declined to specify whether she resigned or was terminated, citing privacy legislation. Crucially, officials also refused to disclose any details regarding severance pay, leaving taxpayers in the dark about a potential financial liability.
According to the organization's financial documents, Varn received a salary of just over $296,000 along with nearly $23,700 in benefits in 2024. The sudden exit of a high-level executive at this pay grade typically involves significant severance negotiations.
Richmond Councillor Kash Heed, a member of the Metro Vancouver board, characterized the situation as "complete turmoil." He emphasized that the unexpected removal of a CFO inevitably comes at a public cost. "When someone of that rank, a CFO, is suddenly let go there's going to be some legal arguments as to what is owed to her," Heed stated.
Reports of Internal Conflict and a Motion Against the CAO
Further complicating the narrative, a report from Global News on Monday alleged deeper internal conflict. The news outlet reported that Varn was initially suspended by Chief Administrative Officer Jerry Dobrovolny and later terminated by the board of directors during a closed-door meeting on Friday.
More strikingly, Global News reported that a board motion calling for Dobrovolny's own suspension and an investigation into his decision to suspend Varn was scheduled for consideration on January 30. Postmedia noted it could not independently confirm these details.
When asked about the alleged motion concerning Dobrovolny, a Metro Vancouver spokeswoman declined to comment, stating that revealing closed meeting discussions would breach the Local Government Act.
Leadership Confidence and Concerns Over Governance
Despite the swirling reports, Metro Vancouver maintains that Dobrovolny remains in his role as chief administrative officer. Metro Board Chair Mike Hurley issued a statement expressing concern over "misinformation" in the media and denied any characterization of the leadership team being in chaos.
"I have full confidence in … chief administrative officer Jerry Dobrovolny's leadership," Hurley asserted.
However, Councillor Heed, a known critic of board remuneration practices, warned that the implications extend beyond a single personnel matter. He suggested additional costs could arise if fallout from the situation involves Dobrovolny. "Any way you look at this, this has significant implications for Metro Vancouver's administration and more importantly how it is governed," Heed concluded, highlighting the broader questions about transparency and stability at the powerful regional district.
