New Metrolinx CEO eligible for potential 6-figure bonus
Michael Lindsay will make $686,000 a year before possible bonus, less than his predecessor
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.
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."
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