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The Ontario government is under increasing pressure to intervene at Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency, as reports reveal a staggering 44% increase in the number of vice presidents within just one year. This surge in executive positions comes at a time when the agency has failed to deliver on critical transit projects, raising eyebrows and prompting calls for accountability.
Executive pay vs. project delivery
According to the latest annual salary disclosures, Metrolinx employed 118 individuals with the title of vice president in 2024, a significant jump from 82 the previous year. The average salary for these executives was approximately $243,000, with a slight decrease to $237,0.
This raises a crucial question: how many vice presidents does it take to ensure that Ontarians receive the transit services they need?
Critics, including Ontario NDP finance critic Catherine Fife, have voiced their concerns, suggesting that there should be measurable benchmarks for these executives to meet in order to justify their high salaries.
“One would think that there would be measurables or benchmarks that these vice presidents have to reach in order for them to, one, stay employed and also receive such high compensation,” Fife stated. The growing number of vice presidents at Metrolinx, coupled with their increasing salaries, seems particularly egregious given the agency’s failure to open new projects in 2024.
Leadership changes and public accountability
Former Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster, who left the agency after a tumultuous tenure marked by delays, was among the highest earners in the province, taking home nearly $884,000 last year. His departure has opened the door for new leadership, which Fife believes could be an opportunity for Metrolinx to reassess its priorities and accountability measures.
“This definitely is an opportunity for Metrolinx to read the room a little bit,” she remarked.
However, for real change to occur, Fife argues that government officials, including the premier and the finance minister, must hold Metrolinx accountable and demand transparency regarding executive compensation.
Without this oversight, the agency may continue to operate without the necessary checks and balances.
Public perception and the future of transit in Ontario
As Metrolinx continues to list its ambitious projects, including the largest transit expansion in North America’s history, the public remains skeptical. The agency’s failure to deliver on previously announced timelines for projects like the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and Finch West LRT has led to frustration among Ontarians who rely on these services. The increase in the number of employees on the sunshine list, which tracks public servants earning over $100,000, has also raised concerns about the sustainability of such compensation structures.
Fife emphasizes the need for the provincial government to address the issue of executive salaries at arms-length agencies like Metrolinx. “This is actually a problem with these arms-length agencies, whereby there’s very little oversight and accountability and their executive compensation — and bureaucracy — has exploded,” she stated. As the government grapples with these challenges, the future of transit in Ontario hangs in the balance, with many citizens hoping for a more accountable and effective transit system.
