Rob Ford wants TTC chief out: reports
Posted July 22, 2011 8:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Mayor Rob Ford and his brother Doug are reportedly working to fire the TTC’s chief general manager Gary Webster because he has refused to support the Sheppard subway project.
Several Commission members told The Globe and Mail about the backroom plot, which comes amid doubts over the mayor’s plan to extend the Sheppard subway from Fairview Mall to the Scarborough Town Centre using a mix of public and private funding and development fees.
Former TTC head David Gunn has called the scheme “dumb” and chair Karen Stintz now says she would rather use federal money to extend the subway to the industrial centre at Victoria Park.
Webster is an engineer well-respected in transit circles, and Commission members from both sides of the political spectrum have praised his leadership.
TTC spokesman Brad Ross issued a statement on Thursday, noting the many projects that rely on Webster’s direction.
“The TTC will not speculate on Mr. Webster’s future,” he said. “The Chief General Manager is working hard with staff on the 2012 budget, as well as ongoing customer service improvement initiatives. This is a large, complex organization. His continued leadership has never been more important.”
Webster has run the TTC since 2006. His contract ends in 2013.
