‘Potential for conflict’ as Toronto Parking Authority plans loyalty program
· Toronto Sun
The Toronto Parking Authority is seeking a partner for a new loyalty program – and says it “is aware of the potential for a conflict of interest” for one of its executives.
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That executive, Vice-President Adamo Donatucci, was brought into City Hall last year in a hiring process that was reportedly questioned by two city councillors. His spouse works for one of the top firms in the loyalty program space, social media posts show.
As the Toronto Sun has reported , Donatucci’s hiring appears to have been the initial spark behind Mayor Olivia Chow’s sudden move last year to fire the board of the TPA.
Donatucci’s spouse’s employer did not respond to questions from the Sun , and the TPA said as the procurement process isn’t over yet, it’s not known if that company – or any other firm – will put in bids.
The Sun is not naming the firm or Donatucci’s spouse, who holds a leadership role with the company, as there has been no evidence of improper conduct.
The TPA said its work on the loyalty program began in 2024 and the first phase, which was awarded to KPMG, had been led by the “previous VP.”
“In accordance with TPA procurement policies, which are aligned with the City of Toronto’s policies, the TPA is aware of the potential for a conflict of interest. Any such conflict will be identified following the close of the (request for proposals), and appropriate policies and procedures will be followed,” the TPA said in a statement.
It’s not clear if the city coveted Donatucci for his connections in the loyalty space, or even knew about them – but it is known that his hiring set off a firestorm at City Hall.
Late last year, a source close to the issue told the Sun that at the July 2025 meeting of the TPA board, two veteran city councillors, Paula Fletcher and Frances Nunziata, took exception both to Donatucci’s hiring and a procurement matter.
Fletcher and Nunziata lost two key votes 4-3. At the next City Council meeting, Nunziata and Fletcher called for a legal review of Donatucci’s hiring, which ultimately found no cause for concern.
In the middle of that legal review, Nunziata and Chow took a tour of the headquarters of Precise ParkLink, the company Donatucci was hired away from.
That legal review was done by the firm Blake, Cassels and Graydon, aka Blakes. In its report on that review, Blakes said that during a procurement process, a proponent accused the TPA of “covert recruitment and onboarding” of a senior executive.
‘Cover of darkness’
While the Blakes report was done in time for City Council’s October 2025 meeting, Fletcher moved to have it delayed a month. It was accepted at the November 2025 meeting, which ended with a motion to fire the board by Chow, who claimed “efficiencies” needed to be found.
At that meeting, Councillor Brad Bradford complained the board had been dismissed under the “ cover of darkness .” Nunziata, the council Speaker, accused him of “grandstanding.”
The TPA board members were replaced with five top bureaucrats, led by city manager Paul Johnson.
The idea of a parking loyalty program is not entirely novel, as Park’N Fly offers a rewards program at Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Buffalo Niagara International Airport has one of its own.
Parking Industry Insights, a Canadian online trade journal, published an article in 2022 about loyalty programs.
“Loyalty programs help to strengthen customer relationships by providing a reward for their continued patronage. Introducing a customer loyalty program into your parking facility will do just that,” the article says.
Donatucci, as vice-president of business development, made a little under $100,000 with the TPA in 2025, but that was for a partial year. His fellow vice-presidents each made roughly $300,000 or more , plus benefits.
It’s unknown if Precise had complained to City Hall about the potential for a TPA loyalty program under Donatucci. Representatives for both Precise and Blakes declined to comment when reached by the Sun .
A representative for Nunziata said she has “no knowledge of this and has no comment.”
Fletcher’s office inquired about the Sun ’s deadline but did not comment further.