In a dramatic late-night session that critics described as occurring under cover of darkness, Toronto City Council voted to dismiss the entire board of the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA). The controversial decision came around 9 PM on Thursday during the November 2025 council meeting, following a last-minute motion introduced by Mayor Olivia Chow.
Controversial Proceedings Raise Transparency Concerns
Councillor Brad Bradford strongly objected to the timing and process, arguing that the vote should have been delayed for a month to allow for proper public consultation. They've taken us to the cover of darkness and waited for most of the media... they left, and they did that intentionally, Bradford stated, gesturing toward the dim windows and empty public galleries.
Stephen Holyday echoed these concerns, calling the proceedings strange and bizarre. He highlighted the unusual circumstance of being denied the opportunity to question TPA staff, as no representatives from the authority were present in the council chambers. I want to make sure that's in the minutes, and if it doesn't make it, it's on tape, Holyday insisted.
Financial Justification Meets Skepticism
Mayor Chow defended the motion as necessary for finding efficiencies at the TPA, claiming the review would optimize savings in the 2026 budget year. She emphasized the city's challenging financial situation, particularly noting recent revenue losses from speed cameras.
However, Bradford challenged this justification, pointing out that the TPA is literally the only city agency that generates revenue. He described it as a profit centre for Torontonians, not a cost centre, highlighting that the authority delivered $180 million in revenue with $135 million in expenditures, resulting in a net income of $45 million.
The motion replaced the five public board members with five high-ranking city bureaucrats: the city manager, chief financial officer, a deputy city manager, the executive director of the environment division, and the general manager of transportation services.
Leadership Changes and Salary Questions
Chow revealed that TPA chairman Hartley Lefton had resigned the day before her motion, taking a position with the LCBO that he had held since June. She insisted this departure was not at all connected to her motion.
The debate also touched on executive compensation at the TPA. Public attention had recently focused on TPA president Scott Collier's salary of $485,665.99 for the previous year—significantly higher than both the mayor's and Premier Doug Ford's compensation.
Ultimately, the vote passed 15-4, with Bradford, Holyday, Jon Burnside, and Vincent Crisanti voting against the motion. Seven councillors were absent for the late-night decision that fundamentally changes the governance structure of one of Toronto's most profitable municipal agencies.
