Departing TTC CEO calls for transit investment, defends tenure

Investing in the Toronto Transit Commission should be a priority for all three levels of government because maintenance is as crucial as expansion of public transit lines, the TTC's CEO said in an interview before his last day on Friday.

Rick Leary, 61, whose tenure at the helm of the city's public transit system is set to end after six and a half years, said the TTC has a positive economic, social and environmental impact on Toronto and needs more funding. There's much concern about the transit system's age, he said, and all three levels of government need to understand its true needs.

"Everybody loves a ribbon cutting and an announcement. Maintaining existing, not so much. But you can't have something new that can't link and be as reliable as the old," Leary said. "We have to make sure the old is maintained."

In a wide-ranging interview with CBC Toronto, Leary defended his tenure at the TTC, saying he is leaving on his own terms and not because of allegations of bullying and workplace misconduct. A Toronto Star story published in October, cited unnamed sources who said the TTC board would be investigating allegations of workplace misconduct against Leary. CBC News has not independently verified those claims.

Leary told CBC News he has a lot of support in the organization and is not being forced out. TTC board chair Jamaal Myers, councillor for Scarborough North, confirmed Leary will receive a severance.

"I'm the CEO. Not everyone's going to like me, but you have to have thick skin," Leary said.

Leary said he thinks criticisms of his leadership are due to his efforts to find efficiencies at the TTC and new ways to do business. 

"There's been changes here from a focus, and people aren't happy about it," he said.

Asked about a possible internal investigation into the allegations against him, Leary could not confirm. 

"If you're asking me, am I aware of an investigation? I'm not sure if there's an investigation on me right now. I can tell you that for a fact."

Leary also defended the increasing number of breakdowns and slow downs on the subway system. With aging equipment, the operational challenges underline the need for all levels of government to step in, he said.

The TTC's 2024-2038 capital investment plan totals $47.8 billion in base capital needs over a 15-year period. Of that, $12.3 billion is funded, leaving $35.4 billion unfunded. The plan covers state of repairs needs, along with such capital projects as modernizing the subway and expanding its capacity, electrifying bus service and supporting more streetcars. It also includes purchasing more subway cars.

"I do believe that more money is necessary from all levels of government when it comes to the state of good repair, because when you see what's happening today, you can imagine what it's going to be like five years from now, if the funding does not come in," he said.

The federal government said in March it would create the Canada Public Transit Fund, which will provide $3 billion per year for public transit and transportation infrastructure starting in 2026-27.