Office of the Chief Executive

This week began with the announcement of a new financial deal between the Province of Ontario and the City that has important implications for the TTC’s operating and capital needs. This is good news and we are certainly grateful for the continued investments from all levels of government as we plan for the future growth and ridership in our great city.

As part of this new accord, the Province has agreed to provide the City with up to $1.2 billion in provincial operating supports over three years and significant capital relief. Specifically, for the TTC this includes the following:

• Annual operating funding of $330 million over three years beginning in 2024-2025 for new subway-integrated provincial transit projects — the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and the Finch West LRT.

• Over $750 million in funding for 55 new subway trains for the TTC’s Line 2, conditional on matching Federal support.

• $300 million in one-time funding for subways and transit safety, recovery and sustainability that includes commitments on the part of the City related to: increased police or safety officer presence on and near transit, continued expansion of transit rider cellular and data services across the TTC network, and enhanced emergency reporting options and response timelines for riders.

Last month, the TTC Board approved a report and business case outlining our requirements for new subway trains for Line 2 and the critical need to replace and modernize assets that are approaching the end of their design life as we plan for our future growth.

The New Deal for Toronto Act, when passed, will help us support the future growth of Toronto. The City and the Province will continue to call on Federal partners to fund critical areas of need, such as transit funding.

My thanks to TTC staff from multiple groups for their excellent work on this file.

TTC Board meets next week
​The TTC Board convenes again at City Hall on December 7. Items on the public agenda include: TTC’s Partnership Approach to Community Safety, Security and Well-Being on Public Transit; Policies to Support the Revenue Protection and Special Constable Service Culture Change Program; and the Procurement Authorization for the Sale and Removal of TTC Buses. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be live-streamed on the official TTC YouTube Channel.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
​To celebrate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, the TTC today launched a collaboration with Tangled Art + Disability. This is a disability-led arts organization, which works towards creating more accessible opportunities in the arts. The Transit as a canvas campaign celebrates Black, Indigenous and Racialized artists with disabilities. The work of eight artists is displayed in the subway system and on two Wheel-Trans bus wraps until the end of January.

Check out the artwork on your next commute, and also please devote some time in your day to participate in the Employee Accessibility and Inclusion Survey: Your Voice Matters before the survey closes on December 6.

Celebrating TTC retirees!
​Last Wednesday, members of the TTC Executive, Union Executive and I had the pleasure of congratulating hundreds of TTC retirees and their guests at 2023 TTC Retirement Dinner. It was our opportunity to formally wish a long and prosperous retirement to those in attendance who represented countless years of service and expertise. Milestones like this are important for many reasons – but mostly, they remind us of what we have achieved, together.

Stay safe.

Richard J. Leary
​Chief Executive Officer
​December 1, 2023