WATCH: A new federal law tabled in Ottawa could give transit workers more protection. Kylie Stanton reports.
People caught assaulting transit workers are more likely to face stronger punishments, after the House of Commons passed a private member’s bill amending the criminal code.
Bill S-221, which passed third reading today, requires judges must consider it an aggravating circumstance if the victim of an assault is a public transit operator.
“We’ve been assaulted, we continue to be assaulted, and for the federal government to actually pay attention to us is really quite breathtaking,” said Nathan Woods, president of Unifor 111.
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The new law will also protect anyone operating taxis, ferries, school buses, trains and subways.
“It’s great for all public transit operators across Canada,” added Neil Dubord, Metro Vancouver Transit Police Chief.
– With files from Kylie Stanton