Serving Canada, serving Toronto: TTC employees continue a tradition of service
This Remembrance Day, the TTC recognizes employees whose commitment to service extends from the Canadian Armed Forces to serving Toronto.
On November 11, people across Canada take a moment to pause in honour of those who have served and sacrificed for their country.
At the TTC, employees with military experience continue their commitment to service in another way: helping to keep Toronto moving. Their careers have taken them from naval deployments and military exercises to transit vehicles, stations, supervisory roles, and Transit Control.
Here are seven TTC employees whose stories reflect the many forms that service can take.
Daniel: Building responsibility through service
Daniel joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1993, one year after arriving in Toronto from El Salvador. He served for 23 years as a Combat Engineer with 32 Combat Engineer Regiment at Denison Armoury.
His work included training with explosives, improvised explosive devices and mines, as well as serving with the heavy equipment section and a water purification unit. More broadly, the experience taught him responsibility and helped shape the person he is today.
Daniel retired from the military in 2016 because of family responsibilities but remains proud of his years of service. He has worked at the TTC for 19 years and is currently an Operator and Divisional Trainer, as well as President of the Mount Dennis Recreation Association.
Paul: Serving at sea and around the world
Paul joined the Royal Canadian Navy at 18 and served from 1989 to 2002.
After completing recruit training in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia, he spent a year at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt completing radar training. He later served as a Radar Operator and trained as a Shipborne Air Traffic Controller.
During his career, Paul served aboard several ships and took part in three six-month NATO deployments connected to conflicts around the world. He also spent four years with the Naval Gun Run, competing in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo and participating in demonstrations across Canada.
Paul has worked at the TTC for 17 years and is currently a Mobile Supervisor.
Quentin: Remembering sacrifice across generations
Quentin served with the West Nova Scotia Regiment from 1987 to 1995, reaching the rank of Sergeant and completing two operational taskings.
His family’s connection to military service extends to his grandfather, who served with the North Shore Regiment during the Second World War (pictured above with his medals).
That history shapes how Quentin observes Remembrance Day. During moments of silence, he reflects on those who sacrificed their lives and those who continue to live with the effects of their service.
Quentin has worked at the TTC for 26 years and is currently a Streetcar Operator.
Malcolm: Balancing two forms of public service
Malcolm joined the TTC in December 1999, "when Y2K was a thing," beginning his career as a Subway and Streetcar Operator. He moved to the Stations Department as a Station Supervisor in 2015 and became a Chief Mobile Supervisor in 2017.
Alongside his TTC career, Malcolm has served for more than 30 years as an Army Reservist with The Royal Regiment of Canada. In 2025, he took a year-long leave from the TTC to deploy to Latvia with NATO's Operation REASSURANCE.
His experience reflects the dedication of reservists who balance military responsibilities with careers, families, and service in their communities. At the TTC, he brings that same longstanding commitment to serving the people of Toronto.
Michael: Bringing military experience to workplace safety
Michael served with The Royal Regiment of Canada from 1995 to 2000 as an Infantry Soldier, Combat Communications Specialist and Section Leader, where he participated in field exercises with the Canadian Armed Forces’ 32 Canadian Brigade Group in preparation for potential overseas deployments and United Nations missions.
Following his military service, Michael studied civil engineering, health and safety, and project management at Toronto Metropolitan University. In 2003, he began his career with a construction materials company in project and safety management before joining the TTC as a Safety Inspector in 2010.
Since then, he has held progressively senior safety roles supporting transportation, maintenance, engineering, project management, and construction departments. In 2023, he completed an Executive MBA with a specialization in Health & Safety Leadership from the University of Fredericton. He currently serves as a Director of Capital Projects Safety and Security, overseeing the TTC's capital projects safety portfolio, including the Certificate of Recognition (COR) for the ECE Group.
In this role, he continues to inspire stakeholders in the safe delivery of projects, drawing on the planning, preparedness, teamwork, and commitment skills he developed through his military experience.
Richard: Applying military lessons to everyday life
Richard enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988 at the age of 17. He joined during the final years of the Cold War because he believed it was his duty as a proud Canadian.
At the time, he was studying architectural and mechanical engineering, which helped lead him to the 2nd Field Engineer Regiment. During four-and-a-half years of service, he trained to clear routes and minefields, construct bridges, establish bases, and help other forces move safely.
Richard says the lessons he learned in the military continue to guide him and encourage him to be a better person. He joined the TTC in 2005 and currently serves Toronto as a Mount Dennis Operator.
Dwyke: A lifetime of service and leadership
Dwyke trained with the Canadian Armed Forces’ 32nd Brigade and served as a Military Instructor at the Brigade Battle School.
With 16 years of military service and joining the TTC in 1998, he began another long career serving the public. He has worked as a Subway Station Supervisor for more than 25 years and continues to serve Toronto in that role today.
Across both careers, Dwyke has dedicated more than four decades to instruction, leadership, and service with pride and continues to lead with passion.
Continuing their commitment to service
Although their experiences are different, these employees share a strong sense of duty to others, and the lessons they gained through military service guide their work at the TTC and in the community as they continue to serve Toronto every day.