The decision followed ongoing tensions between organisers of the Pan American and Parapan Games and the Ontario Province, which is responsible for the operational costs of the Games that will bring more than 10,000 athletes and officials from the continent to take part in 36 Pan Am and 15 Parapan sports.

"With just under two years left until the Games, [Toronto 2015] is transitioning into the operational phase of Games planning that will greatly benefit from Saad's experience and expertise," David Peterson, chairman of Toronto 2015 and former Ontario Premier, wrote in an e-mail to staff.

Troop, a long-time food and consumer-goods executive with extensive experience in sports who had joined Toronto 2015 as chief executive in February 2010, had been in line for a $780,000 (£452,000/€536,000) bonus if the Games had come in on budget. 

That had caused controversy among opposition parties in Ontario as the Government had revised the budget up to $2.5 billion (£1.5 billion/€1.7 billion), nearly double the $1.4 billion (£812 million/ €926 million) they had originally estimated that they would cost when they were awarded the Games in 2009.

Troop, who was paid $477,000 (£277,000/€328,000) last year, billed Ontario taxpayers $0.91 (£0.52/€0.63) for parking and $8,561.19 (£4,965.24/€5,884.83) for a Mexican hotel and cocktail party, while other expenses included $1.89 (£1.10/€1.30) for a cup of tea.

Peterson, who replaced Roger Garland as chairman of Toronto 2015 in September, claimed Troop's removal had nothing to do with lavish bonuses and salaries that prompted the organisation to changes its policies.

"This is a super-charged political atmosphere in a minority house and we're going to get beaten up no matter what we do," he said.

"We needed to get the right person at the right time in the right place, and that was Saad."

Ontario's Deputy Minster of Health Saad Rafi will take over from Ian Troop as Toronto 2015 chief executive in January ©Toronto Star via Getty Images

Ontario's Tourism and Sport Minister Michael Chan claimed it would be up to Toronto 2015 how much Troop would be paid in severance, and said Rafi will be compensated at a level "consistent with what he made at the Ministry of Health," which was $428,000 a year (£248,000/€294,000), double what the Province's Prime Minister Premier Kathleen Wynne earns..

"Having Rafi's tremendous experience in handling a big file and also in addressing transportation and security, I think is a very, very good choice," said Chan.

At Ontario's Health Ministry, Rafi currently oversees a budget $48 billion (£28 billion/€33 billion), the largest in Canada.

He had announced last month that was resigning from the Ministry, although at the time he did not specify why. 

During his 25-year career, Rafi has also built a successful advisory practice in infrastructure and was a partner with Deloitte and Touche, LLP.

He is due to officially take up his new position on January 8.

In the meantime, Peterson will serve as interim chief executive.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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February 2010: Troop picked as chief executive of Toronto 2015