IT World Canada has learned that the City of Toronto’s chief information officer is no longer Rob Meikle.
In a phone interview, Meikle confirmed his departure, indicating he was looking to pursue other opportunities and projects in the city, something that was difficult to do as Toronto’s CIO.
“I’m involved in several other projects in communities across the city,” he told the publication. “It was good timing for me to put a little bit more emphasis on that side of my life and career.”
A spokesperson from Toronto’s information and technology division confirmed the news in an email, writing “Rob Meikle is no longer the CIO. Lawrence Eta has been acting as chief information officer since June 25.”
Eta, who the publication has requested an interview with, was the city’s deputy CIO since September 2017.
Meikle served as the Toronto’s CIO since 2013. Prior to his tenure in Toronto, Meikle served as Brampton’s CIO for eight years. He also sits on The Ted Rogers School of Information Technology Management’s advisory council. The school is part of Ryerson University’s urban campus in downtown Toronto.
Additionally, Meikle took over all smart city initiatives for the city after the departure of Toronto’s chief transformation officer Michael Kolm in April.