Office of the Chief Executive

Earlier this week at Hillcrest, we had the privilege of presenting a cheque for more than $806,000 to United Way Greater Toronto – an outstanding achievement that reflects who we are as an organization. At a time when many agencies are seeing donations decline, the TTC is one of the few to increase its contributions this year. That is something we can all be proud of.

What makes this year’s result even more remarkable is the impact of five new campaign leads who stepped forward for the first time. Together, they raised $252,133, representing more than 30 per cent of our overall total, which is an extraordinary contribution from first-time leaders.

I want to extend special recognition to:

• Mark Giles (Operator) – leading our new LRT team, raising $25,190.24

• Alia Hutchinson (Operator), Mount Dennis – $65,868.77

• Kim Murrell Grey (Operator), Malvern – $87,160.12

• Dave Tait (Operator), Bloor–Danforth Subway – $25,365

• Chearvon Benjamin Francis (Operator), Birchmount – $48,550

Your leadership, passion, and ability to rally your colleagues made a significant difference. You have set a new standard for campaign engagement across the TTC. Thank you for stepping up and helping drive such an impactful result.

I also want to extend my sincere appreciation to Kathy Wyeth and our long-standing campaign leads, our Union partners, and every department that supported this year’s efforts. This success is a powerful reminder of what One TTC can achieve when we come together with purpose.

I also want to recognize the hundreds of employees who participated in the Line 5 simulated service exercise yesterday. Alongside our colleagues at Metrolinx, TTC staff completed a round-trip on the LRT, visited select stations, and provided valuable feedback on the ride and station experience.

Exercises like this aren’t just technical checks – they are demonstrations of leadership, accountability, and the professional pride that defines this organization. Thank you to everyone who approached the simulation with a mindset of ownership and responsibility. Your feedback and professionalism make our organization stronger and help ensure that when Line 5 opens, it does so with confidence.

Finally, I want to acknowledge that the FIFA World Cup is just 139 days away. This is a major moment for Toronto and for the TTC. Our preparations are well underway – from service planning to customer flow modelling to station readiness – and we will continue to deliver on the leadership and accountability expected of us as the city’s transit system during a global event of this scale.

Thank you again for your dedication, collaboration, and the pride you bring to your work every day.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​January 23, 2026