Item - 2025.TTC9.9

The TTC Board authorized the additional payment of $2,589.08 to Aird & Berlis LLP for legal expenses incurred by Chair Jamaal Myers relating to a City of Toronto Integrity Commissioner investigation, as requested by the Board on May 16, 2024.

Chair Myers recused himself from the vote on this item as it involves payment of legal expenses incurred by the Chair.

On May 16, 2024, the Board adopted a motion requesting the City of Toronto’s Integrity Commissioner to investigate all TTC Board Members, and Political Staff (as applicable), relating to any unauthorized disclosure of information relating to an in-camera item at the October 27, 2023, TTC Board Meeting.

The Board further agreed to reimburse both TTC Board Members and Political Staff that were subject of the Integrity Commissioner’s investigation, up to $5000 each for any legal costs or expenses incurred arising from the investigation, which costs or expenses must be evidenced by appropriate invoices submitted to TTC General Counsel.

The City of Toronto’s Integrity Commissioner provided the final report to the Board on July 17, 2025, (item 7.7) and determined that there was inadequate evidence to establish that a Board Member or their staff released confidential information to the media. However, the Integrity Commissioner did find that Chair Myers had a technical breach of the Code of Conduct for Members of Local Boards (Restricted Definition) (“Code of Conduct”) for sharing information with the Mayor’s office. The Integrity Commissioner recommended that the TTC Boad not issue any penalty to Chair Myers, which the TTC Board accepted because he found the violation “technical in nature” and because “the Chair was under the mistaken belief that he such [sic] authority to disclose the information to these persons” who worked in an external political office.

Agenda Item History - 2025.TTC7.7

During the investigation, the Integrity Commissioner’s office advised Chair Myers of the possible technical breach of the Code of Conduct at which time Chair Myers sought independent legal advice.

The TTC Board previously authorized payment or reimbursement of legal costs of up to $5000, however in this case, the total legal expense incurred by Chair Myers was $6,716.00, plus HST (total of $7,589.08).

This motion seeks Board approval to authorize the payment (or reimbursement) of the additional legal costs of $2,589.08 for a total cost $7,589.09.