Office of the Chief Executive

On Monday (March 6), I was thrilled to recognize the TTC’s best-of-the-best at the seventh annual Rewards and Recognition Gala and Dinner. Employees were honoured for exceptional achievements in Customer Service, Safety, Innovation and Creativity, Leadership, Teamwork and Diversity. We also recognized 16 employees for each having more than 35 years of safety on the job.

2022 Rewards and Recognition ceremony winners
Our Employee of the Year award went to Lead Hand, Substation Electrician Kuldip Bir, who was also the winner of the 2022 Safety Award. Kuldip has made an incredible contribution to safety at the TTC by designing and implementing a safety device called the Lock Out Tag Out. The device brings older traction power equipment from the 1940s to modern safety standards and protects employees from serious injury.

This year’s CEO Award was presented to Bus Operator Gayle Hollett, who also won the 2022 Diversity Award. During her 14 years at the TTC, Gayle has made incredible strides and raised awareness of diversity issues through her role with the ATU Local 113 2SLGBTQ+ Committee. During Pride Month last year, Gayle shared her personal story and helped TTC employees understand the experience of Trans employees, as well as the importance of being an ally. Her input greatly contributed to the success of the Pride event.

I also had the honour of presenting the second-ever TTC Lifetime Achievement Award to our former Chief Customer and Strategy Officer (Acting) Scott Haskill. Scott has had an incredible impact on service planning throughout more than 30 years of service. He helped develop the Transit City plan and led the development of the Opportunities to Improve Transit Service Initiative. These are just a few of his accomplishments over an incredible career here at the TTC.

A huge congratulations to Kuldip, Gayle, Scott and all of our category winners for 2022.

2022 Rewards and Recognition winners

There are stories of greatness all around us
Our annual gala is a fantastic reminder that TTC employees are doing truly incredible work every day. Please take the time to nominate someone you know who has gone above and beyond for the next Rewards and Recognition celebration – they might be our very next Employee of the Year! All TTC employees can nominate others and be nominated. Get started by visiting rewards.ttc.ca.

Finally, Daylight Saving Time returns this Sunday. Please remember to turn your clocks ahead one hour. Please stay alert and watch out for each other.

Richard J. Leary
Chief Executive Officer
March 10, 2023