May is Asian Heritage Month – a time to commemorate and honour the important contributions of Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian Canadians. It represents an opportunity for us all to learn and to grow, and includes representation from over 30 countries. I’m excited to share that for the first time the TTC will be recognizing Asian Heritage Month across all its properties.

We have spoken throughout the past year about how diversity and inclusion are priorities for this organization, and how the TTC needs to reflect the city which it serves. An important piece of this is ensuring that we are doing everything we can to make the TTC a welcoming place for everyone.

This May, we are choosing to celebrate the diversity that exists at our organization. Throughout the month, employees who identify as Asian, Southeast Asian and South Asian will share parts of their heritage with the TTC through posters, employee TVs, the employee app and MyTTC | Weekly. I encourage you to join in, by sharing your own stories or by learning something new about your colleagues. To launch Asian Heritage Month, I’m very excited to share with you a special video featuring TTC employees. Scroll down to view it. 

Recognizing Asian Heritage Month is an important part of our broader commitment to build a more equitable and inclusive transit system for everyone. We have done a lot of good work but we all know there is still work to do as we continue to develop important programs and initiatives to address racism and discrimination.

Together, we must and will build a more inclusive TTC. 

Watch now: TTC celebrates Asian Heritage Month

Mark your calendar

Events and observances from May 9-22, 2022

May - Armenian Heritage Month, Asian Heritage Month, Jewish Heritage Month, National Speech and Hearing Month

May 14, 2 p.m. - Pension Plan Overview webinar, register on the TTC Pension Plan website

May 16 - International Day of Living Together in Peace

May 17 - International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 18 - Lag B’Omer begins at sundown (Judaism)

May 19 - Global Accessibility Awareness Day

May 19 - Lag B'Omer ends at nightfall (Judaism)

May 19 - TTC Board meeting

May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

From April 28 to May 4, 124 TTC employees or contractors tested positive for COVID-19 (by rapid antigen test or PCR test) or reported having COVID-19 symptoms.

If you develop new or worsening symptoms consistent with COVID-19, please stay home and notify your manager or supervisor.

Share your story during National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month

We’re looking for employees to feature as we prepare to recognize National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June. If you identify as Indigenous or as part of the 2SLGBTQ+ community, we’d love to hear from you! Email us at [email protected].

Nominate a colleague for Rewards and Recognition

Do you know someone who has gone above and beyond in customer service, diversity, innovation and creativity, leadership, teamwork or safety? 

Nominate them at rewards.ttc.ca. Nominations for the September event will be open until May 27, 2022. 

Donate a new, used or broken bicycle to the Project Breezy Bike Drive

The Special Constable Service Community Engagement Unit is partnering with Toronto Police Services and looking for your help! The team is available to pick up bike donations from your work location. Bicycles will be fixed and donated to youth in the Overlea and Thorncliffe community. Last year, more than 50 bikes were donated by TTC employees. This year, the goal is to reach 200 bikes.

Please contact [email protected] and [email protected] before June 10 to arrange a pick up.

Register now for June 18 golf tournament

When: June 18, 2022

Where: Valleymede Columbus Golf Club

The tournament costs $120 per player until May 31, or $140 per player after. See the poster for more details and registration information.

Microsoft Teams update now available

In response to employee feedback, the IT Services Department is rolling out an update to Microsoft Teams to improve the stability, speed and synchronization of the software. 

Read the full notice for instructions on how to get the update.

Show your Maple Leafs pride

All employees are invited to wear a Leafs cap to work to show their Toronto Maple Leafs pride. 

Employees at Mount Dennis Division showed their support this week with a special Leafs display. 

Go Leafs Go!

Get 20 per cent off select tickets to Nitro Circus Live 

Check out this poster to see how TTC employees can receive up to 20 per cent off tickets to Nitro Circus Live. 

You can find tons of great deals like this one on the TTC Recreation Council's page on MyTTC | SAP Jam.

| COMTO Toronto and Region

Held Back at Work: Asian Canadians and Stereotypes in the Workplace

Digital event Tuesday, May 17, 12-1 p.m.

The rise in Anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to people speaking out against the blatant attacks and racism from the past two years. At the same time, there has also been increased discussions and awareness about other forms of discrimination faced by Asian Canadians – while not as violent, implicit bias and stereotypes have long been impacting Asian Canadians in the workplace.

Join COMTO Toronto & Region for an important panel discussion to learn more about the dangerous impacts of stereotypes and bias in the workplace and the transit sector in particular. Learn about how to recognize and address anti-Asian bias to create more diverse and equitable workplaces.

Moderated by Ruby Latif DSocSci (ABD), Senior Manager- DE&I (National practice) with Ernst & Young (pictured top right), panelists for the event are:

Ruby Dhillon- Founder, Pink Attitude – Empowering South Asian Women

Rosel Kim – Staff Lawyer, Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and Board member, Korean Legal Clinic

Shirley Samujh-Dayal – Director of Operations, Coast Mount Bus

Celebrating culture during Asian Heritage Month

Martin Paik - Operations Supervisor, Arrow Road Division 

For Martin Paik, Asian Heritage Month is not only a chance to educate but a time to celebrate a way of life that is unique to individuals, families and communities with international roots.

Martin celebrates his Korean culture by passing on the traditions he was brought up with to his son. Martin says he always makes a conscious effort to make sure his son is aware of his family’s heritage through different aspects of life such as food, language and family values. 

Growing up in Canada, Martin's Korean and Canadian culture has shaped who he is. “Being Asian in Canada has allowed me to understand the importance of respect and dignity for people regardless of their background.”

Martin believes that recognizing diversity shows that people often share similarities regardless of race or ethnicity, and that this unites us as people.

| Mental Health Week

Five ways to practice empathy in your daily life

May 2 to 8, 2022 is Mental Health Week. While mental health is a top priority year round at the TTC, this week serves as an extra reminder to pause and focus on wellness. 

This year’s Mental Health Week theme from the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) is empathy for both others and ourselves. CMHA defines empathy as the skill of actively listening to and understanding one another’s feelings; it is the art of appreciating the challenges our family, friends and co-workers have to ensure they feel seen and heard.

Five ways to practice empathy in your daily life

1. Talk to people, and not just about the weather - be genuinely curious, to ask open-ended questions, and to pay attention to how the other person is feeling.
2. Try something new - spend time in a different neighborhood or try a new kind of food.
3. Read some fiction - it allows you to enter the characters’ thoughts and feelings and see their points of view.
4. Be present and pay attention - mindfulness is awareness that comes with intentionally paying attention, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.
5. Teach your kids, early and often - start with making a point of expressing and explaining your own emotions as they arise, and then help your kids express and explain theirs.

To learn more about empathy, visit CMHA’s website, check out these resources or watch this YouTube video.

Mental health supports are available to TTC employees, 24/7. See a full list here.

On the move

Steve Cuschieri appointed Head of Vehicle Maintenance, effective May 1, 2022

Steve is a licensed Automotive and Coach Technician with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and public transit industry.

Steve started his career at the TTC in 2008 with the Bus Maintenance & Shops Department. During this time, Steve worked as a Coach Technician, Garage Foreperson, Senior Foreperson, Garage Manager and Senior Garage Manager. Through his experience, Steve has gained an intimate knowledge of bus maintenance operations. Throughout his career and again in his most recent role as Senior Manager, Steve has demonstrated a proven track record of success. In 2018, he was awarded the TTC’s Leadership Award.

Steve has a certificate in Leadership Development from Seneca College and a certificate in Project Management from McMaster University.

Steve’s combination of technical, leadership, project management skills and experiences will help the Bus Maintenance Department continue to deliver on corporate and operational initiatives. 

Kerri Lai appointed Manager, Strategic Issues, Deputy CEO Group, effective May 24, 2022

Kerri started at TTC as a co-op student in the Signal/Electrical/Communication Department in 2004. She has held engineering design positions in Communications and Electrical Engineering sections. Kerri also gained invaluable subway operations experience working as Operations Coordinator in the Deputy COO’s office. Subsequently as a Project Coordinator in Subway Infrastructure, she was involved in multidiscipline projects such as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT and TYSSE.

In 2019, Kerri joined the Construction Department as a Senior Project Engineer as part of the team to oversee the construction of McNicoll Bus Garage. Her most recent role is Senior Project Engineer/Acting Project Manager in Line 1 Capacity Enhancement Program in Major Projects.

Kerri holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo. She is a licensed Professional Engineer and a certified Project Management Professional.

Farzad Akram

Service Support, Wheel-Trans Operations

Since joining the TTC in 1999, Farzad has held a number of roles and is currently a Service Support in Wheel-Trans Operations.  

Farzad enjoys helping others, which is why he joined Wheel-Trans. “I’m a proud Afghan-Canadian who’s happy to help other Afghan newcomers to Canada and guide them on things like finding work and how to use transit. I’m also proud to serve our customers,” he said. 

As a Service Support, Farzad plans customers’ trips to wherever they may need to go. He likes taking time to reflect on his workday and think of ways to improve the customer’s experience. 

He likes working in Toronto because of the diversity reflected in both the city and the TTC. As an Afghan-Canadian, Farzad appreciates inclusion, representation and multiculturalism in Canada, in addition to the focus on celebrating the different cultures that make up Canada’s cultural tapestry. 

To Farzad, honouring Asian Heritage Month is a chance for people of all backgrounds to come together and make a more inclusive and multicultural city. 

Farzad’s heritage is a big part of his life. “As an Asian and Muslim man, I value the earth we live on, respect for others, and strive to live a life where I put kindness first.”

At the TTC, we are committed to helping you reach your professional goals through internal promotion and transfer opportunities. The Employee Career Centre allows current employees to apply for any available position.

The TTC is committed to fostering a positive workplace culture with a workforce that is representative of the communities it serves. Committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, the TTC encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Accommodation is available for applicants of all abilities throughout the recruitment process.

New positions available:

CEO's Office

• Senior Safety Assurance Engineer (Req I.D. 5646)
• Safety Assurance Engineer (Req I.D. 5647)
• Manager, Corporate Policy & Planning (5676)

Corporate Services

• Materials Management Systems Specialist (Req I.D. SAP System Owner/Administrator-MM & EWM) (Req I.D. 4888)

Operations

• Operations Supervisor Trainee (Req I.D. 5742)

Strategy and Customer Experience

• Revenue Equipment Attendant (Req I.D. 4122)
• Revenue Equipment Mechanic (Req I.D.5505)
• Communications Advisor (Req I.D. 5675)
• Customer Information Representative, Part Time (Req I.D. 5250)
• Customer Information Representative (Req I.D. 5249)
• Fare Inspector (Req I.D. 5678)

Vehicles

• Garage Foreperson (Req I.D. 5080)
• Manager, Rail Vehicles (Req I.D. 5687)

For more information and a list of all current job postings, visit the Employee Career Centre on MyTTC | Home. Log in with your MyTTC username and password.

Please contact Diversity and Culture – Talent Management at 416-393-4570 with any questions.

City of Toronto predicts cherry blossoms will reach ‘peak’ bloom next week

By Issac Callan, Global News, April 30, 2022

"The City of Toronto says its famous High Park cherry trees will reach peak bloom at the beginning of next week.

The blooming of Toronto’s pink Sakura (cherry blossom) trees is an annual tradition for many in the city. The trees receive visitors from across Toronto, and even further afield, the city said."

Read the full article

Scarborough Subway Extension tunnel boring machine getting into position to prepare for tunnelling

Metrolinx News, May 2, 2022

"Metrolinx is marking another important milestone for the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension as the project’s tunnel boring machine, Diggy Scardust, gets lowered into its launch shaft. Watch the new timelapses of the machine being assembled and lowered and read more about what’s next."

Read the full article

City of Toronto raises green performance standards for new development and mandates net-zero GHG emissions for new City-owned buildings

By Zhane Squire, GTA Weekly, May 3, 2022

"The latest version of the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) came into effect on May 1, 2022 for new development applications. The TGS is a critical component to address the City of Toronto’s ambitious Transform TO Net Zero Climate Strategy, approved by City Council in December 2021, which articulates a community-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal of net zero by 2040.

Since 2010, the TGS has set out the requirements for high-performance, new development in Toronto with a goal to improve air and water quality, manage stormwater onsite, enhance the urban forest and biodiversity and provide energy efficient buildings."

Read the full article

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