Written by CUTA welcomes the Royal Assent of Bill C-14, which includes important Criminal Code amendments extending legal protections to all transit workers.
The amendment to Section 269 of the Criminal Code addresses a longstanding gap by expanding protections beyond transit operators to the broader transit workforce, including maintenance workers, fare inspectors, station staff, customer service employees and others who may face safety risks while serving the public.
This milestone reflects years of advocacy by CUTA and its members across the country to ensure the Criminal Code recognizes the contributions and responsibilities of the entire transit workforce.
As violence and harassment on public transit systems have increased in recent years, this change represents meaningful progress toward creating safer environments for transit workers and the communities they serve.
CUTA thanks the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, for advancing these changes. CUTA worked with parliamentarians from all parties to build support for the amendment, which was unanimously adopted by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.
CUTA will continue working with governments, labour partners, transit systems, and industry stakeholders to advance measures that strengthen safety across Canada’s public transit systems.
