Incoming TTC chair supports a mixed board

Councillor Karen Stintz, of Ward 16 Eglinton-Lawrence, is rumoured to be the incoming chair of the Toronto Transit Commission.

She supports appointing non-politicians to the board to what is now an all-councillor board of nine.

“Adding some appointees from the private sector could boost skills on the board without affecting its accountability,” she told the Toronto Star. “Private-sector members could contribute project management, financial and customer service skills.”

Richard Soberman, a respected transportation expert, tabled a report this week recommending urban transit boards be made up of business and community leaders and regular citizens.

Transit critic Steve Munrow fears that in Toronto this approach would mean the return of the cronyism that existed when all appointees to the TTC board were from the private sector.

Stintz feels that they do need to keep councillors as part of the board because city council is the primary funder.  

“Changing the makeup of the board won’t be the first order of business but it is likely to take place early in the new council’s term,” she said.

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