Richard Ducharme
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Richard C. DucharmeP.Eng.(born 1948) has served as an administrator for severalCanadiantransit and transportation authorities, most recently as General Manager of Transportation for the City of Edmonton.
Ducharme graduated from theUniversity of Waterlooas a civil engineer in 1972 and joinedOntario'sMinistry of Transportation.He then moved on toGO Transitas a transit coordinator in 1976. He served in various roles and eventually became managing director in 1993. In 1999 he left GO Transit to join theToronto Transit Commissionas General Manager, replacingDavid Gunnwho announced his retirement on October 7, 1998.[1]
Ducharme initially had a better relationship with former TTC ChairHoward Moscoeand other politicians. However, after awildcat strikestaged by theAmalgamated Transit Union,Local 113, Ducharme found out that there were talks between Moscoe and ATU PresidentBob Kinnearthat bypassed TTC management. Ducharme stated that these discussions undermined his authority to negotiate with the union. He also criticized Moscoe for makingBombardierthe sole supplier of new subway cars for the TTC, arguing that the lack of competition in the bidding process would cost the city $100 million. Moscoe claimed that he had a responsibility to intervene to prevent another strike, and that the Bombardier contract would keep jobs in Canada. Ducharme stated on June 6, 2006, that he would step down on November 30, 2006, but his departure was fast-tracked by Moscoe and the other TTC Commissioners after Ducharme made his criticism of Moscoe public.
Ducharme was replaced on June 10, 2006, on an interim basis by TTC General Manager of OperationsGary Webster.
On October 10, 2006, Ducharme started a new job inEdmonton, Albertaas General Manager of Transportation, overseeing the expansion of the city's roads and light-rail transit system.[1][2]After only four months in the post, he announced his resignation on February 8, 2007, effective April 13, 2007.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"New transportation boss keen to take transit down 'right road'".Edmonton Journal. 2006-10-31. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-23.Retrieved2010-06-29.
- ^"Former TTC boss takes over as head of city transportation department".VUE Weekly. 2006-10-03. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-10-05.Retrieved2010-06-29.
- ^"Transportation manager resigns".Edmonton Journal. 2007-02-08. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-10-24.Retrieved2010-06-29.