The Toronto Transit Commission board has issued an order to stop random drug and alcohol testing of its employees, acting on a recommendation from an arbitrator. The decision was announced on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, and applies to all TTC staff across the city.
The board’s directive follows a review by an arbitrator who advised that the practice of random testing should be discontinued. While the specific reasons for the recommendation were not disclosed, the board’s action aligns with the arbitrator’s guidance and signals a shift in the agency’s approach to substance testing.
The TTC, which operates the public transit system in Toronto, Ontario, has previously employed random testing as part of its safety and employee management policies. The new order means that any future testing will need to be based on other criteria or procedures, rather than occurring without cause.
No further details were provided regarding how the change will be implemented or whether alternative measures will replace the random testing program. The board’s decision does not affect any ongoing investigations or disciplinary actions that may already be in progress.
Stakeholders, including union representatives and management, are expected to monitor the impact of the board’s order on workplace safety and employee relations. The TTC has not released additional commentary on the rationale behind the arbitrator’s recommendation or the board’s response beyond the directive itself.
The cessation of random drug and alcohol tests marks a notable adjustment in the TTC’s internal policies, reflecting the influence of external arbitration on the commission’s operational decisions.