Councillors react to firing of TTC GM Gary Webster
Posted February 22, 2012 12:23 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Gary Webster urged his fellow transit workers to “continue their professionalism and deliver the safe, courteous service that our customers expect and deserve” after he was fired as the general manager of the TTC on Tuesday.
“There are times when situations arise that are outside of our control,” Webster wrote in a goodbye letter.
“But the one thing we always have control over is how we respond to those situations.”
The motion that called for Webster’s dismissal also called for an immediate search for his replacement. TTC Chief Operating Officer Andy Byford will take on the duties of GM in the interim.
“The main challenge is just taking the TTC forward,” Byford told CityNews on Wednesday. “It’s a great system, it has great people, great staff, but I think there’s a number of things we can improve and certainly that’s going to be my focus.”
Many believe Webster’s dismissal stems from his vocal opposition to Mayor Rob Ford’s vision for subway expansion, which was defeated in council in favour of an LRT plan.
“Gary Webster is a wonderful man and a good civil servant. He spoke truth to power,” Coun. Maria Augimeri told CityNews Wednesday.
“He’s renowned worldwide and he had a wonderful career here.”
Coun. Giorgio Mammoliti, an ally of Ford, said Wednesday that everybody likes Webster, “but there’s a mindframe that needs to change at the TTC.
“It’s like the Toronto Maple Leafs. If the team’s not doing well, who gets fired? The coach.”
Webster had worked for the TTC for over 35 years. The motion to terminate his contract passed by a vote of 5-4 at the TTC commission.
With files from Michael Talbot
