Toronto proclaims Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day, TTC leads push for stronger protections

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow officially proclaimed December 17, 2025, as the fifth annual Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day in the City of Toronto, reaffirming the City’s and TTC’s zero-tolerance stance on violence, harassment, and abuse against transit workers.

Transit workers are essential frontline employees who keep Toronto moving. They deserve a safe, healthy, and respectful work environment. The City of Toronto and the TTC strongly condemn any act of violence, harassment, or abuse against transit workers, making safety and well-being a top priority.

“Transit workers are the backbone of our city’s transit system. They deserve to feel safe and respected while doing their jobs,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “Toronto condemns any act of violence, harassment, or abuse against these frontline workers. By proclaiming this day, we send a clear message: assaults on transit workers will not be tolerated.”

The TTC is leading national efforts to expand legal protections and strengthen penalties for assaults against all transit workers. Working in partnership with unions, industry associations, and the City of Toronto, the TTC is advocating for amendments to the Criminal Code that would cover all frontline employees and send a clear message that abuse and violence against transit workers will not be tolerated.

“When transit workers are safe, riders are safe,” said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. “That’s why I have formally called on the Government of Canada to amend the Criminal Code to expand protections for all transit employees, not just operators, and to strengthen penalties for assaults. We must send a clear message that abuse and violence against transit workers will not be tolerated, and we will continue to take strong action to prevent these incidents and support our frontline staff.”

“Our frontline employees work tirelessly to keep Toronto moving,” said TTC CEO Mandeep S. Lali. “We stand firmly against any form of abuse or violence, and even one assault is one too many. Every incident of abuse, harassment, or threat is treated with the utmost seriousness, and the TTC works closely with police to pursue prosecution.”

“Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day is a call to action,” said Marvin Alfred, President of ATU Local 113. “We want the TTC and the City to deepen their partnership with ATU Local 113 and take real steps toward ending violence against transit workers. Our members’ voices will remain front and centre, and we’ll ensure they feel secure where they work.”

The TTC’s 2024–2028 Five-Year Community Safety, Security and Well-Being Plan outlines initiatives to enhance safety with a compassionate, people-first approach. Key actions include:

• De-escalation training for more than 10,000 employees

   

• Expanded safety presence: Special Constables, Provincial Offences Officers, security guards, and in 2026, Toronto Police officers will begin patrolling Line 1 between Union and Eglinton stations, seven days a week

   

• Protective barriers on all buses

   

• Improved CCTV coverage and testing new deterrent technologies

   

• Promoting the SafeTTC app to encourage incident reporting

   

• Collaboration with unions and Joint Health and Safety Committees

   

• Advocacy for stronger Criminal Code protections for transit workers

   

• Employee supports: Trauma Assist, Court Advocate, EFAP, Peer Support

   

• Community partnerships: Toronto Community Crisis Centre (TCCS), Streets to Homes, LOFT Multi-Disciplinary Outreach Teams

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.