Metrolinx shakes up leadership, cutting ties with 2 senior managers

Metrolinx has let go two senior managers, including one who was working on rapid transit projects.

Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster told the company about the organizational shakeup in a Tuesday memo, which CBC Toronto has obtained a copy of. The departures of Karla Avis-Birch, who was chief planning officer, and Steven Levene, the chief operating officer of rapid transit, were first reported by the Toronto Star. 

Verster thanks both of the outgoing managers in the memo, but also outlines a key priority for their replacement.

"I have asked Phil Taberner to lead the remaining parts of the Operations (Rapid Transit) division … and to focus on getting the Eglinton and Finch West LRTs into service," Verster's memo states.

The Eglinton Crosstown LRT is years behind schedule. Meanwhile, there's also no opening date set for the Finch West LRT, which will run from the Finch West subway station to the Humber College campus, nor the Hurontario LRT (the Hazel McCallion Line), which will go from Port Credit GO Station to the Brampton Gateway Terminal.

Verster's memo says the changes were needed as Metrolinx's mandate expands — from handling heavy rail and buses to also dealing with building light rail, subways and bus rapid transit lines.

A Metrolinx spokesperson said something similar when asked why the managers were let go and didn't answer any questions about when the LRT lines mentioned above would open.

"It's not unusual for organizations to make strategic changes to its management structure from time to time to better align with more complex scopes of work and project priorities. Metrolinx is no different," said Andrea Ernesaks in an email statement. 

Ernesaks said Metrolinx will not comment further on "human resource matters."

Avis-Birch's LinkedIn account says she is a former Metrolinx employee and had begun her planning role in December 2020.

Levene's account says he worked on rapid transit projects while at Metrolinx.

Ontario Liberal Leader Bonnie Crombie, speaking at a Queen's Park news conference on Wednesday, pinned the blame on Premier Doug Ford's government rather than the former employees — though she did say Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster should be held to account.

"Ultimately, the responsibility is on the minister of transportation and the premier of Ontario, who should be held responsible for the lack of delivery on all these programs," she told reporters.