Another development that concerns me is the increasing “politicization” of the public service... Great public servants deserve our praise for showing their vision and their courage in the face of adversity. But it can be…
Glad Hand: Lacking Reasonable Transit…
Glad Hand: Lacking Reasonable Transit…
An Atypically Uncontroversial Day at City Hall
An Atypically Uncontroversial Day at City Hal…
"At the beginning of negotiations, people said, 'This can't be done. It won't be done,'" Mayor Ford said to reporters at a press conference following this morning's ratification of a new collective agreement between the…
Council Ratifies CUPE 416's New Collective Agreement Unanimously
City Council Unanimously Ratifies Collective …
At a special meeting this morning, city council ratified a new collective agreement with the City's outdoor workers, in what some councillors are describing as a victory for Mayor Rob Ford.
Yesterday, amidst great controversy, the Toronto Transit Commission decided to fire Gary Webster, effective immediately and with no just cause. Today, Webster said goodbye to the transit service where he spent his career, with the following note:
NOTICE TO ALL TTC EMPLOYEES
Keep up the good work—and thank you
As many of you will now know, the Commission has decided to replace me as the TTC’s Chief General Manager.
I am proud to have been part of the TTC for almost 37 years, most recently as its CGM. Each day you and your colleagues provide excellent, safe and courteous service to our 1.6 million daily customers. People are passionate about public transit in Toronto; that healthy passion will continue as the TTC improves and expands. Toronto is blessed with an excellent transit system and I thank you for your hard work.
There are times when situations arise that are outside of our control. But the one thing we always have control over is how we respond to those situations. I ask that you respond to all of this by doing what you all do so well – by continuing your professionalism and delivering the safe, courteous service that our customers expect and deserve.
The Commission has asked Andy Byford to continue in his role as Chief Operating Officer, which includes the role of deputy CGM, while a search for a permanent Chief General Manager is undertaken. Please show Andy the same support you have shown me as he continues his excellent work around strengthening the TTC.
Thank you again for all of your support and the kind words so many of you have shared with me.
Gary Webster
UPDATE, 1:47 PM: A few minutes ago Webster’s interim replacement, Chief Operating Officer Andy Byford, sent out a note of his own… Read More…
6:30 PM Of note: in the open mic meeting are Peter Milczyn and John Parker, two right-leaning councillors who have broken with Ford about transit issues. Anyone who calls this a meeting of downtown Pinkos isn’t doing a proper head count.
6:22 PM: @goldsbie: In the hall, Milczyn says to Royson [James, columnist for the Toronto Star: “This is your fault!” He’s heard this was in response to Royson’s column about the suppressed report.
6:13 PM The question of the hour: if city council cans the current TTC board and installs new Commission members, could that new TTC board re-hire Webster. Answer: procedurally yes (i.e. those commissioners would have the authority to do so), though in theory Webster’s settlement package could include a clause precluding this.
6:07 PM We stepped out for a bit as Webster gave a short statement. He too was diplomatic, and took no questions. “This is not how I expected this or wanted it to end…I am proud of the opportunity I have had to serve as chief general manager.” He thanks Torontonians for their support and says transit will still run tomorrow, as usual.
6:05 PM The first of the speakers at the open mic session: Allan, who deputes frequently at the TTC. He had a slidedeck in which he draws an analogy between Gary Webster and Galileo, who both got in trouble for saying true things public leaders didn’t want to hear. (The text in his slides was red for emphasis.)
5:57 PM Some updates from the past half hour. Stintz is currently running an informal open mic session in the overflow room, so that those who had registered to speak at the TTC meeting and other in attendance can still share their views on today’s decision. About six or seven have spoken so far, all opposed to firing Webster. In a scrum before the session she was very diplomatic, saying that while she opposed the decision it was the Commission’s decision to make. She also noted that the last search for a general manager took a year and a half, and produced no results. This isn’t an easy role to fill. When she came into the overflow room she sat down and introduced herself: “My name is Karen Stintz, and I am the chair of the TTC. For today.” Laughter.
5:21 PM VOTE ON MOTION TO FIRE WEBSTER: 5-4, same lines as the councillors who called the meeting. Read More…
Allan Lamport and Frederick Gardiner in happier times, during the official opening of the Yonge subway, March 30, 1954. City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 8963.
As he awaits his fate at today’s special meeting of the TTC’s commissioners, Gary Webster might ponder the fact that he isn’t the first General Manager to run afoul of political intrigue. Criticism of W.E.P. Duncan’s performance in 1959 came amid a power struggle between two larger-than-life personalities. The battle between TTC Commissioner Allan “Lampy” Lamport and Metro Toronto Chairman Frederick “Big Daddy” Gardiner turned into a three-ring circus that ran for two years and shared some parallels with our current debacle.
Another development that concerns me is the increasing “politicization” of the public service… Great public servants deserve our praise for showing their vision and their courage in the face of adversity. But it can be exceedingly difficult for staff to speak truth to power and provide their best advice as dutiful public servants.
[I]n the sphere of municipal governments—especially a government as large as Toronto—the space between legislator and public servant is not adequately buffered. In fact, the space is razor thin and in significant jeopardy for public servants and good governance in general.
—Fiona Crean, Ombudsman of Toronto
2011 Annual Report [PDF]
Rob Ford either doesn’t understand the basic principles of good governance, or he doesn’t care to be guided by them. Neither do Norm Kelly, Cesar Palacio, Frank Di Giorgio, Denzil Minnan-Wong, or Vincent Crisanti—the councillors (and TTC commissioners) who signed a petition yesterday calling for a special meeting to oust TTC Chief General Manager Gary Webster. Read More…
ALL CLEAR: The delay both ways at College station has now cleared and full service has resumed on the Yonge University Spadina line. #TTC | 9:48 AM Feb 22
Trains are holding both ways at College Stn due to a power off situation. Response personnel on scene. Expected to clear in 10 mins. #TTC | 9:37 AM Feb 22
ALL CLEAR: The delay eastbound on Dundas at Sherbourne has now cleared and full service has resumed on the 505 Dundas Streetcar line. #TTC | 10:43 PM Feb 21