Office of the Chief Executive

We are six days away from FIFA World Cup 2026™, an extraordinary moment for our employees who have worked tirelessly to prepare the TTC, and for our city. We have one goal: to deliver safe, reliable service for our customers, our communities, and the hundreds of thousands of visitors we will welcome.

At this week’s Board meeting, we were clear: we are ready. Our plans are in place, the work has been done, and we have the right people across this organization to deliver. This is our commitment to the City, to the people of Toronto, and to the world as we welcome fans from around the globe.

Over the past several months, we have accelerated critical infrastructure upgrades across the system to strengthen reliability ahead of the tournament and for the long term.

I want to recognize the outstanding switch replacement work recently completed at Keele. This key state-of-good-repair project was delivered safely, efficiently, and ahead of schedule. That outcome reflects strong planning, disciplined execution, and the dedication of our teams on the ground. To all the crews involved: thank you. You set the standard for what we need across the system in the days ahead.

I would also like to extend recognition to our Streetcar Overhead team for their world-class response to Wednesday morning's incident, when a truck caused significant damage to overhead infrastructure on King Street West. The team acted swiftly, completed repairs, and supported the resumption of service within hours. This is what excellence in action looks like.

Next week, we will carry that momentum forward with planned single-track operations on Line 1 supporting the removal of four Reduced Speed Zones between Sheppard West and St George, one of our busiest and most critical stretches. That is real progress that directly improves reliability, enhances service quality, and strengthens performance where it matters most. It is also a clear demonstration to the city and our customers of what we can achieve as One TTC.

Every improvement in this corridor directly impacts our customers and is an important step toward meeting the demands of the global stage.

Delivering work of this complexity and scale requires more than planning. It depends on committed teams who take pride in their work and show up for one another every day. Those same values were on display at our Pride kickoff event and the Indigenous Peoples Month Opening Ceremonies this week, when stories shared by TTC employees reflected the respect, inclusion, and belonging that define us as One TTC.

As I reflect on the Indigenous teachings shared during the ceremony, I am reminded of the importance of community, stewardship, and responsibility to one another. These principles closely align with how we must work: supporting each other and recognizing that our collective strength comes from our shared purpose. Carrying these lessons forward will not only help us deliver during the tournament, but also continue building a stronger, more inclusive organization.

That unity will be critical in the days ahead, and it includes continuing to listen to one another. I encourage you to share your feedback with me directly. Additionally, please continue to ask questions through Team Huddle as we head into the tournament. Your perspectives and expertise help ensure nothing goes amiss in our planning.

As we gather this weekend to celebrate Team TTC at Family Day, let us take time to connect, re-energize, and return next week with shared determination.

We have the honour and privilege to move the world with focus and precision.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​June 5, 2026