Office of the Chief Executive

On August 1, more than 400 TTC employees, along with their family members, proudly represented our organization in the Toronto Caribbean Carnival Parade, one of the city’s most vibrant celebrations of culture, community, and heritage.

I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone who came out to participate in last weekend’s festivities, and to our events team and parade organizers who helped make this event such a success. I also want to recognize our Chief of People and Culture, Shakira Naraine, and our Chief of Transportation, Tamu Thomas, for their leadership and support.

Together, your enthusiasm and encouragement, alongside the efforts of our volunteers and organizers, helped showcase the TTC with pride, energy, and purpose.

Last weekend was also made possible by TTC employees who worked behind the scenes and on the frontlines to safely transport customers to and from Carnival events across the city. Carnival was our first major event post-FIFA, and our first opportunity to bring forward lessons learned, proven emergency command structures, enhanced customer communications and staffing, and new ways of working. Together, we moved significant customer volumes, dealt with complex operating conditions, and continued to meet higher expectations.

Thanks to our Operators, Transit Control and Station staff, Special Constables, Provincial Offences Officers, maintenance crews, and other frontline staff and support teams. Together, we kept Toronto moving, allowing thousands of residents and visitors to fully participate in Carnival and enjoy the celebrations.

As a public transit agency serving one of the world’s most diverse cities, we see events like the Toronto Caribbean Carnival as a meaningful opportunity to celebrate the diversity of our workforce and the cultures that make Toronto unique.

These community connections matter. They help build trust, strengthen relationships with Torontonians, and demonstrate that the service we provide is delivered by dedicated employees who care deeply about Toronto.

The same spirit of community engagement and service continues through our annual Stuff-the-Bus school supplies drive, now underway, to collect essential items for youth preparing for the upcoming school year.

The TTC has a long history of supporting communities and helping make Toronto a better place to live and work. Last year, through your generosity and that of our partners, we provided more than 1,200 children across the city with school supplies. That remarkable achievement reflects the compassion and community spirit that define our organization.

I encourage all employees to participate by donating what they can. Every contribution helps students start the school year with confidence and the tools they need to succeed.

Community events and initiatives like these thrive because of the enthusiasm and passion of TTC employees. If you have ideas on how we can continue to engage with and support the communities we serve, I encourage you to share them with me.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to our city. Through the FIFA World Cup™, Pride, Carnival, and many other events across the city this summer, you have consistently shown up for Toronto and for each other, demonstrating what we can accomplish when we work together as One TTC. We have raised the bar on what our customers expect, and I encourage you all to carry that commitment to continuous improvement forward as we head into the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) and future events.

Together, we are not only moving Toronto; we are helping build stronger, more connected communities, and investing in a brighter future for the next generation.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​August 7, 2026