Watch above: The federal government has passed new legislation that could result in harsher penalties for anyone found to have assaulted a taxi or transit driver. Aaron Streck takes a look at the local reaction.
SASKATOON – More severe punishment is in the offing for those who assault public transit operators. A private members bill has passed through Senate and the House of Commons with the backing of the Government of Canada.
“The well being of our drivers is very important to us,” said Troy Larmer, The United Group general manager.
Larmer has an obligation to make sure his 90 cab drivers are safe while on the clock. He’s just received some help as the federal government passed Bill S-221, adding a new level of legal protection for public transit operators.
“These employees now have one more reason to feel safer on the job and to go about their important responsibilities with more confidence,” said Federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay.
“Transit operators should never have to deal with physical violence and that’s what we’re attempting to deal with today.”
READ MORE: Parliament passes law giving transit workers greater protection
Bill S-221 allows jurisdictions to impose stiffer penalties and sentences on people that attack taxi and bus drivers.
“Anything that is going to be harsher penalties I think will make some people think twice about doing it, however we in the industry can’t rely on that either, we have to take measures our own self, which we have done here at United Cabs with the new cameras and emergency buttons,” said Larmer.
“It’s training the drivers as well too, make sure you don’t carry a lot of cash on hand.”
There are about 2,000 assaults on transit employees each year across the country. One Saskatoon Transit bus driver has been assaulted so far this year.
“We’re optimistic, we know it’s not going to prevent those issues from happening but by informing the public of how serious this is we can minimize the impact that it would have,” said ATU Local 615 President Jim Yakubowski.
Yakubowski says drivers face verbal abuse daily.
Whether Bill S-221 will effectively help reduce the number of attacks, having the federal government on board is a step in the right direction to making sure people who help others get around safely can make it home at the end of their shift.
New advertising will be installed at bus stops across Canada, reminding passengers of stricter consequences for assaulting public transit operators.
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