When you meet Merhawi Tekle, you get the feeling that he has lived several different lives – and mastered each of them.
From his early days as a soccer player in Italy and with the Eritrean Community Association of Ontario, to operating heavy machinery and leading construction crews, to his current role maintaining emergency medical supplies in Toronto, Tekle’s story is one of discipline, perseverance and helpfulness.
“I’ve always believed that hard work pays off,” he says. “Every job I’ve had has taught me about responsibility, teamwork and showing up when others depend on you.”
Setting up a foundation in Canada
Tekle came to Canada in 1989 as a young man with ambition and open-mindedness. He graduated from Yorkdale Collegiate Institute and continued his education at Centennial College, where he developed the technical and mechanical skills that would shape his career.
His early jobs weren’t exactly glamorous, but they were essential. During his work at GFL Environmental, he gained recognition for his safe and competent handling of commercial vehicles – a testament to his concentration and precision. “Driving these trucks wasn’t just about getting from A to B,” he remembers. “It was about safety, awareness and understanding the systems you are responsible for.”
This same attention to detail later became a defining characteristic of his work at Toronto Paramedic Services.
A steady hand in high-pressure moments
Today, Tekle works as an equipment repair technician for Toronto Paramedic Services, where precision can mean the difference between life and death. He is responsible for inspecting, maintaining and repairing the life-saving tools that paramedics rely on every day – from customs defibrillators and AEDs to stretchers, stair chairs and splints.
“I take pride in knowing that every device delivered is safe and ready for use,” he explains. “A person’s life depends on this reliability.”
In an environment where seconds matter, Tekle’s calm focus and ability to troubleshoot under pressure make him a quiet cornerstone of the city’s emergency response network. He also plays an active role in the Toronto Paramedic Services Black Staff Network, where he participates in outreach and community engagement. “Representation is important,” he says. “When kids see people like me in these roles, it shows them what’s possible.”
Building Your Own Path: People’s Choice Construction
While Tekle continues his work for the city, he is also a business owner – proof that his commitment extends beyond public service. In 2019, he founded People’s Choice General Contractor Inc., a demolition and construction company based in Toronto. The company has grown steadily, handles residential and commercial projects and employs up to 28 people at the same time.
“Running my own business taught me a new way to lead,” says Tekle. “It’s not just about giving orders. It’s about creating a safe environment, setting an example and making sure everyone goes home safe at the end of the day.”
From risk assessment to equipment maintenance to customer coordination, Tekle leads his business with the same meticulous attention to safety and efficiency that has characterized his career in public service. “Every project starts with trust,” he adds. “If people trust your word and your work, you will never go out of business.”
Since then, his business portfolio has expanded to include People’s Choice Car Rental and Services Inc., reflecting his entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify practical needs in his community.
Leadership beyond the workplace
Tekle’s leadership does not end at the construction site or the repair shop. As a passionate soccer coach and community mentor, he uses the sport he grew up playing to teach young people discipline, teamwork and resilience. “Football taught me how to lead,” he says. “You win together, you lose together – and that’s life.”
He remains active himself, frequenting the gym and remaining involved in local soccer leagues. Those who know him describe him as down-to-earth, reliable and always helpful – qualities that have earned him respect both at work and in business.
Lessons in balance and purpose
Looking back, Tekle sees every chapter of his journey – from cleaning public spaces for the City of Toronto to managing multi-million dollar construction projects – as part of the same story. “Each job prepared me for the next,” he says. “You can’t skip steps. The experience you gain along the way becomes your foundation.”
His philosophy is simple but powerful: lead consistently, stay humble and take pride in what you do. It’s a mindset that has carried him through demanding roles and ambitious ventures and that he would like to pass on to others.
“I tell people all the time – whether you’re repairing an ambulance or running a business – proceed with caution,” he says. “Because that’s how you build something that lasts.”
A legacy of service and strength
For Merhawi Tekle, success is not about titles or recognition. It’s about making a tangible difference – in the lives of Torontonians, its employees and its community. His career is proof that leadership can take many forms: behind the wheel of a truck, under the hood of an ambulance or on a construction site filled with dust and noise.
And he never lost sight of where he came from – or where he was going next. “My journey is not over yet,” says Tekle with a smile. “There is always more to learn, more to build and more people to help.”
