Office of the Chief Executive

This past weekend marked an important milestone in our readiness for FIFA World Cup 2026™, as we conducted a large-scale test of our operations under real-world conditions.

With nearly 95,000 people moving through games at BMO Field and Rogers Centre, we enhanced service, deployed additional vehicles, and tested our response to high customer volumes and potential disruptions. The TTC delivered. This exercise confirmed we are on the right path and that our preparations are making a measurable difference.

It also highlighted areas for improvement, including greater co-ordination with City partners and the need for an expanded Special Event Ambassador presence. These insights reinforce the value of early testing, and we will continue refining our plans to ensure seamless service during the tournament.

Thank you to everyone across the frontlines, operations, planning, and support functions who contributed. Your focus and commitment were evident throughout the weekend. This is readiness in action.

With less than 30 days until kickoff, maintaining momentum is critical. Customers – new and current – will be counting on us to deliver reliable service every day.

Staying informed and engaged will be crucial in the weeks ahead. Every employee should review the weekly Road to FIFA World Cup 2026™ Bulletin for updates on our progress and priorities. The bulletin also includes a Team Huddle section where employees can submit questions to surface issues and ensure a consistent, organization-wide understanding. Review the questions and responses each week, and continue raising what matters. I also welcome direct feedback and invite you to reach out to me.

This week, I met with employees at our Union Station offices, including our Service Planning team, Vehicles groups, Renewable Energy staff, Innovation team, and the Human Rights and Investigations Department. Their passion, pride and candour stood out as we discussed the complex, sensitive nature of their essential work in helping create a respectful, safe environment for both staff and customers.

Hearing directly from employees about what’s working and where attention is needed reinforces that this organization is driven by its people, and your perspectives continue to inform our decisions.

That spirit of openness and engagement is especially important as we navigate a pivotal period in our collective bargaining process with CUPE Local 2. We remain engaged in good-faith negotiations toward a fair and sustainable agreement.

While some progress has been made, significant work remains, particularly on key monetary components. The decisions made at this stage will have lasting implications, not only for our workforce, but for our ability to operate and further invest in the system in the years ahead. We have a responsibility to get this right: for our employees, for our customers, and for the city that depends on us.

As negotiations continue, I encourage all employees to stay informed through official channels, including ttc.ca/bargaining.

Thank you for your dedication. Our actions in the weeks ahead will define our success and our legacy. Let’s stay focused and deliver excellence: One TTC, united to move Toronto forward.

With gratitude and resolve,

Mandeep S. Lali
​Chief Executive Officer
​May 15, 2026