City manager resigns, is headed for Ottawa
Peter Wallace follows what councillor describes as ‘larger exodus’ than under Rob Ford
Toronto’s city manager Peter Wallace has announced he is stepping down for a top public appointment in Ottawa after less than three years at city hall.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s office announced Thursday Wallace is being tapped to become secretary of the Treasury Board starting on April 4.
The 59-year-old career public servant, known for his quick wit and frank talk in committee rooms and the council chamber, was appointed to the top job at city hall in May 2015 after retiring as head of Ontario’s public service. He was a fellow at the University of Toronto before coming to city hall.
“I am only leaving here because this is a fantastic opportunity in the Government of Canada to serve at the national level. That is the only thing that would have moved me,” Wallace told the Star.
Wallace is the latest and highestranking in a growing list of top public officials to leave their posts during Mayor John Tory’s administration.
He follows deputy city manager John Livey, who announced his retirement in December, and the earlier departures of chief financial officer Rob Rossini, who also retired; TTC chief executive Andy Byford, who took the top transit job in New York City; chief planner Jennifer Keesmaat, who announced she would not be seeking to renew her contract in August; interim Toronto Community Housing (TCH) CEO Greg Spearn, who was passed over for the top job; general manager of transportation services Stephen Buckley; and general manager of solid waste Beth Goodger. Only the TCH and general manager positions have been filled permanently.
“This is a larger exodus than we saw under Rob Ford,” said Councillor Gord Perks. “I am very worried about where this leaves the city. The only senior public official we have who is still in her job is our city solicitor and she is relatively new.”
In a press release, Tory wished Wallace well, saying he “set a tone of absolute professionalism and raised the bar on customer service excellence by helping to transform city services to meet the needs of a modern city.”
Wallace recommended Giuliana Carbone, deputy city manager, take over on an interim basis “to ensure a smooth transition” in an election year.
“I wouldn’t have gone if I didn’t have confidence in the professionalism and capacity of the service,” Wallace said. There is much work to do.
Major infrastructure projects representing billions of dollars, including a Scarborough subway extension, “SmartTrack” GO stations and Gardiner East replacement, have yet to get underway.
For much of his time at city hall, Wallace and staff have been preparing a long-term financial plan, which was meant to “ensure the city runs well, spends public money wisely and delivers the programs and services residents need and want over the long term,” the city website says.
In December 2016, it was promised “well in advance” of the 2018 budget. It has yet to be delivered. This city manager has, for three years, faced a council, led by Tory, which has repeatedly rejected his advice about how not to delay solving the city’s financial problems.
He said council not listening to his advice is “not frustrating at all.”
“There is a reality that public servants provide advice,” he said.
“We implement what council decides.”