Latest news with #MichaelLindsay
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Metrolinx's new CEO could earn a $137,000 annual bonus payment. Here is a closer look at his contract
The new CEO of Metrolinx won't make as much as his predecessor but could still take home more than $800,000 thanks to a lucrative bonus package. Michael Lindsay has been working as the interim CEO of Metrolinx since December 2024 but only took over as the agency's permanent CEO on July 1. According to an Order in Council detailing his three-year contract, Lindsay will earn an annual base salary of $686,566 but will also be eligible for a bonus payment of up to 20 per cent of his salary 'based on his performance evaluation.' If Lindsay maxes out the bonus payment, it would mean he would net an additional $137,313 in compensation in the form of a lump sum payment. He will also receive six weeks of paid vacation each year, per the terms of the contract. Phil Verster, the last Metrolinx CEO, made $883,99 in 2024, though it is not clear how much of Verster's compensation came in the form of a bonus payment. Verster was the fourth most paid public servant in 2024, according to the province's 2024 Sunshine List. Lindsay's salary would put him 23 on that list, excluding Verster. Lindsay was previously the president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario. When he was named as Metrolinx's permanent CEO on June 25, board chair Dan Wright said that he was 'thrilled' to Lindsay in the permanent position. 'His proven ability to inspire the team and drive progress during the interim period gives the board great confidence in his leadership as we move forward.' Wright said in a Metrolinx press release. Lindsey takes over Metrolinx as work continues on finishing the much-delayed Eglinton crosstown LRT. Premier Doug Ford has previously said that opening the line, which was initially supposed to be finished in 2020, should be Lindsey's top priority and that he is 'fully in charge and going to get it done.' Ford has also indicated that it is possible the line could open as soon as September, though the former interim CEO of the TTC told a City of Toronto committee last week that he viewed that timeline as 'a reach.' 'I think September is a reach,' Greg Percy said. 'But, this fall is plausible, and certainly by year end. There's lots and lots of stuff going on that we need to fix to open safely, and that's what we're focused on.' In a Metrolinx press release in June, Lindsay said that he is looking forward to delivering 'the modern and high-quality transit network our communities need and deserve.'
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Business
- Toronto Star
Here's how much the new Metrolinx CEO will get paid — plus his potential performance bonuses
New Metrolinx CEO Michael Lindsay will get paid $686,566 per year, with a potential to earn an additional $137,000 in bonuses, over the next three years during his term as head of the provincial transit agency. Lindsay's compensation, revealed as part of a government Order in Council, includes a bonus structure that ranges from zero to 20 per cent of his base $686,566 salary, 'based on his performance evaluation and subject to any statutory requirements or limitations.' His compensation also includes up to six weeks of paid vacation per year.
CBC
6 days ago
- Business
- CBC
New Metrolinx CEO eligible for potential 6-figure bonus
Metrolinx's new CEO will make less than his controversial predecessor, but could be eligible for an annual performance bonus of more than six figures. That's according to new, previously unreleased information about Michael Lindsay's three-year appointment as the head of Ontario's transit agency, which started officially on July 1. Lindsay will make $686,000 a year, will receive six weeks of paid vacation and is eligible for a performance bonus of up to 20 per cent of his base salary — possibly $137,000 a year. The government says the bonus structure is consistent with that available to past CEOs. The agency's board chair will evaluate the new CEO's performance and determine if any potential bonus is to be awarded each year. Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria has publicly praised Lindsay's leadership, including the day he was announced as the new CEO last month. "I think I've, in a very short period of time, been very impressed with Michael Lindsay and his leadership and the vision that he has brought to Metrolinx," Sarkaria said during a June 25 news conference. WATCH | Metrolinx hands control of Eglinton Crosstown to TTC: Metrolinx hands over control of Eglinton Crosstown to TTC 1 month ago Lindsay was previously interim CEO Lindsay was the president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario before being appointed interim head of the transit agency in December 2024 after the resignation of then-CEO Phil Verster. Verster drew criticism from opposition leaders for the frequent delays on the Eglinton Crosstown construction and his unwillingness to communicate a clear opening date for the LRT. He was the fourth highest paid civil servant in the province last year, making $883,000, according to the Sunshine List. Work on the Crosstown LRT began in 2011 with an estimated price tag of $9.1 billion to build and maintain the 19-kilometre line. In 2022, documents obtained by CBC Toronto showed the project costs had jumped to at least $12.8 billion. The LRT was supposed to open in 2020, but a series of technical problems have repeatedly stalled the line's opening. Last month, Premier Doug Ford said he believes the line will be open in September, but the interim CEO of the TTC said he expects it to be in operation later this year. Toronto's city manager said Tuesday he's "blindly optimistic" it will open soon. Opposition politicians at Queen's Park said Lindsay faces serious challenges on multiple fronts taking over the role, which has been a lightning rod for criticism for years. Opposition demands transparency, accountability Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said the government may have felt compelled to build the performance bonus into Lindsay's contract given the frequent problems at the transit agency. "Whoever determines this bonus better make sure that Metrolinx is delivering above and beyond basic expectations, because Metrolinx has failed to do that over the last five or six years," he said. NDP transit critic Doly Begum said Lindsay will be on the hot seat. He needs to make opening the Eglinton Crosstown a top priority, she said. "That's a lot of tax dollars," she said of his salary. "And a lot of my people in my constituency don't make that much money. But a lot of people in my constituency are waiting for the Eglinton LRT to be opened." Liberal transit critic Andrea Hazell said Lindsay will need to rebuild trust with Ontarians who have little faith that Metrolinx can deliver major transit projects on time and on budget. "Can you do the job? Are you the right person to take us forward and help us to finish so many contracts that are still not done," she said. Minister Sarkaria acknowledged the difficulties Lindsay will face during the news conference last month. "When you're delivering an expansion of this magnitude that hasn't been seen anywhere, not only in Canada but North America, there will be challenges," he said. "We'll be learning along the way. But I think Michael brings a very strong experience and perspective to that." Lindsay said in a statement on Tuesday that as a Toronto resident and commuter, he understands the importance of building out the region's transit system. "I am humbled and honoured to have been appointed," he said. "It is a solemn responsibility to build and operate the transit network on which our region depends."
CBC
11-07-2025
- General
- CBC
Metrolinx owes railpath residents transparency, say city councillor and advocate
Social Sharing Residents along the Toronto West Railpath are frustrated with what they say is a lack of transparency from Metrolinx on end dates for nearby construction projects, their city councillor says. In a letter to the transit agency's CEO and president Michael Lindsay, Coun. Alejandra Bravo for Davenport asked Metrolinx to provide timely updates on when residents should anticipate openings and closures along the railpath. The railpath is a multi-purpose area that acts as a mobility corridor and a park in the Junction Triangle. Metrolinx is building a new track for the Kitchener GO line, and to make space for it, it's closing parts of the railpath and moving it over. The construction also includes a new entrance to Bloor GO station and a park. One portion of the construction between Bloor Street W. and Perth Avenue is already a year and a half past its original deadline. "Metrolinx has rarely communicated clearly with residents about reasons for prolonged closures," Bravo told CBC Toronto. "It's really crucial that as a public agency that it is here to serve the community, that there's an upholding of responsibility, transparency and accountability and timely communication. It's something that we expect and we deserve." As of July 10, Bravo said Metrolinx had not responded to her letter and questions surrounding upcoming construction. Delays and future closures Part of the trail near Perth Avenue has been closed since January 2023, but it was due to open more than a year ago. Another section from Wallace Avenue to Ernest Avenue was fenced off last July, and construction there was only supposed to last 10 weeks. Instead, it took about a year, and the path only recently reopened. With more closures on the horizon, including one from Perth Avenue to Dundas Street W. this summer, there's reason to be concerned, Bravo said. "What we need to know is: A closure begins on this date. It's anticipated to last this many weeks or months — with an end date." Many residents in the area who use the trail are growing impatient and frustrated, says Scott Dobson, a Junction Triangle resident and a member of the Friends of West Toronto Railpath, a volunteer-based organization that promotes the trail and its expansion. "It connects people, it connects communities, it brings people to and from local businesses, and so the bar for taking it out of commission has to be really high and as short as possible, and that's not what's happened here," Dobson said. "It feels to the community very ongoing and never-ending." In a statement to CBC Toronto, Metrolinx didn't provide an opening date for closed portions of the railpath, but said, "We will keep the community and key stakeholders informed with timely updates as we continue our work." Customers and residents impacted The current West Toronto Railpath runs 2.1-kilometres north-south, from the Junction neighbourhood to Dundas Street West at Sterling Road. Construction of a future extension is also scheduled to start this year, connecting the existing paved trail south from Dundas Street W. at Sterling Road to Abell and Sudbury streets. WATCH | Some councillors question growing cost of railpath extension: Questions swirl over ballooning price tag to build 2-km trail 11 months ago Duration 2:45 Some Toronto councillors want the city to rethink plans to extend a multi-use trail in the west end due to its ballooning price tag. The West Toronto Railpath Extension was expected to cost $23 million in 2016. Now, the city will have to put up over $100 million to get it done. CBC's Naama Weingarten has more. Corridor closures mean people are having to navigate inconvenient and confusing detours on top of losing a cherished gathering place, Dobson said. "The ironic thing is that the closures of the railpath have actually made it harder for people to get to the train station… in a weird way, like they're actually impacting their own customers," he said. Sagal Ali, who lives beside the UP Express and used to walk the trail to get to work, calls the drawn-out blockades annoying. "It's so inconvenient… It's going to be OK after they finish, but they never tell [us] when this is gonna be over, so that's my only frustration." Many residents agree that the projects to improve transit and the Bloor GO station are important, but they want Metrolinx to do better, Bravo said.
CTV News
25-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Ontario promotes interim Metrolinx CEO to permanent position
Michael Lindsay is the new CEO of Metrolinx. (Metrolinx) The interim head of Metrolinx has been appointed as the transit agency's permanent chief executive officer. Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced Michael Lindsay's appointment to the permanent position on Wednesday. 'Michael has done an outstanding job in his role as acting CEO, and I have complete confidence that he will continue to lead with the same dedication and vision,' Sarkaria said in a statement. 'His leadership is critical at a time when we need to protect Ontarians and support workers, while delivering the largest transit expansion in Canadian history.' When Lindsay was named interim CEO in December, the government said his top priority would be opening the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT. Lindsay revealed in a news conference last week that the province was in the process of transferring control of the Crosstown vehicles to the TTC. The province has not announced when the Crosstown, which will be called Line 5, will open but Premier Doug Ford recently said it could open as early as September. Lindsay was previously the president and CEO of Infrastructure Ontario and served as a special advisor to the Ford government in 2019 on the upload of the TTC.
