TTC, City recognizing Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day in Toronto

Today, Tues., Dec. 17, the TTC and the City of Toronto will recognize Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day. This day, which was first declared in 2021, raises awareness of the harassment and violence that Toronto transit workers face while on the job.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow will issue a Proclamation formally declaring Tuesday as Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day. At City Council, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers, will honour transit workers and call for the public’s solidarity in denouncing any aggression towards them.

“TTC workers keep Toronto moving every day, and deserve our respect and thanks, everyone should return home safely,” said Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow. “On Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day, let’s help keep our transit operators safe.”

“I urge the public to join us in recognizing Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day and standing in solidarity with our transit workers who dedicate themselves to getting millions of people to their destinations safely every day,” said TTC Jamaal Myers. “In 2023, the TTC Board approved more than $28 million for enhanced safety, security, and wellbeing measures, resulting in a 41 percent decrease in reported offenses against employees. While this progress is commendable, even one assault is one too many, and we must continue our efforts to bolster safety measures across the entire transit system.”

“Every day, TTC employees show tremendous dedication and skill to keep Toronto moving. All TTC employees deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, free from the fear of violence while carrying out their essential duties,” said TTC CEO Greg Percy. “While there has been a reduction in offences against TTC employees, we know there is more work to do. We will continue to work together with all our union partners to develop solutions where employees can feel safe.”

“Today, the City of Toronto marks Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. “ATU Local 113 calls on the TTC and the City of Toronto to work with us to make public transit a safer place for workers and passengers alike. Local 113 will continue to have the voices of our members heard & ensure they feel protected at their place of work.” Further information on how ATU Local 113 is marking Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day can be found at: https://wemovetoronto.ca/.

Quick Facts

In October 2024, the number of reported offenses against TTC employees was 5.06 per 100 employees, down from 8.52 per 100 employees in January 2023.

This past year, the TTC has taken numerous steps to help protect and support frontline workers, including:

• De-escalation training for over 9,000 frontline employees.
• A Trauma Assist Program to provide counselling support for employees who have experienced a traumatic event.
• Installation of extended protective barriers on TTC buses.
• Maintaining the support provided by 50 security guards and continuing recruitment of Special Constables.
• Improving high-visibility presence and incident management, including an additional 130 Customer Service Agents and 30 Supervisors at key locations, and an enhanced partnership with City of Toronto social supports.
• Continued strong partnerships with unions and Joint Health and Safety Committees on assault prevention.
• Supporting amendments to the Criminal Code to include all public transit workers, with the Act receiving its first reading this year.

This builds on already-existing programs, such as video surveillance on all vehicles and in stations, radio and non-audio equipment on all vehicles to call for help, customer campaigns focusing on respecting TTC employees, trauma supports, as well as an established Court Advocacy Program to support criminal prosecution of those charged with criminal acts against employees.

The TTC takes all instances of physical abuse, harassment, and threats seriously, and we work with police to prosecute to the full extent of the law.