TTC GM Gary Webster fired

TORONTO, Ont. – TTC chief general manager Gary Webster was fired “without just cause” after a closed door meeting at City Hall, Tuesday.

The motion to fire Webster was passed by a vote of 5-4 during a special transit meeting.

“Clearly the choice has been made to replace me as chief general manager and I accept that,” Webster told 680News after the vote.

Webster, who worked for the TTC for 35 years and had been the general manager for nearly six years, said this is not the way he hoped his career with the TTC would end but he is proud of the work he has done.

“I am very proud of the Toronto Transit Commission. It’s a great organization. I am proud of the opportunity I’ve had to serve it for as many years as I have,” he said.

TTC chief operating officer Andy Byford will be in charge for the time-being. Webster will reportedly receive two years severance pay, which amounts to over $500,000, because he was let go without cause.

Councillors Vincent Crisanti, Frank Di Giorgio, Norm Kelly, Denzil Minnan-Wong, and Cesar Palacio voted to oust Webster from his position.

Transit advocates heckled the decision after it was announced.

Commissioner Maria Augimieri slammed the vote.

“Today is a clear demonstration of an abuse of power,” Augimieri said. “You’re kicking success out the door. You’re throwing away success with both hands. What are you thinking?”

Transit union boss Bob Kinnear called the decision a step back for transit progress.

“This is just another example of how the political interference at city hall has stagnated the TTC from expansion,” Kinnear said.

Former mayor David Miller weighed in on Twitter, characterizing Webster as the “epitome of excellence” and “exactly what the public needs.”

Miller added: “The guy who should be fired is the one who said the private sector would build the Sheppard subway at no cost to the City.”

Former Toronto councillor and current federal NDP MP Olivia Chow tweeted: “Shame on Ford.”

Most reaction on Twitter was negative:

[View the story “Reaction to firing of Gary Webster” on Storify]

Before the meeting, many councillors and some TTC commissioners said Webster was to be fired on the orders of Mayor Rob Ford.

Webster’s job was apparently in question after not being on board with Ford’s subway plan.

The TTC board meeting was called by five city councillors who sit on the nine-member board.

“I can’t tell you, it’s a personnel matter — we can’t comment about that,” he said, and added he won’t commit to saying anything after the meeting saying he has a busy day.

Commissioner Augimeri had told 680News it is a vindictive move by Ford that will only hurt the transit in the city.

“It’s certainly not good news for the TTC as a whole. It’s not good for transit riders. It’s not good news for the future of this city,” Augimeri said.

Before the meeting Tuesday, Ford said he can’t discuss what might happen at the TTC meeting.

Earlier this month, council voted 25-18 in favour of an alternative to the mayor’s transit plan, opting for light-rail instead of the subways that Ford had been pushing for.

On Friday, Councillor Joe Mihevic told 680News that this is clearly revenge against Webster for disagreeing with Ford’s subway plan.

“Because someone is disagreeing with the mayor, a senior general manager of the TTC, the mayor is deciding off with his head,” Mihevic said.