OTTAWA (February 20, 2026) – The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) welcomes the passage of Bill C-14, the Bail and Sentencing Reform Act, at third reading in the House of Commons on February 13. The legislation now moves to the Senate.

Bill C-14 includes a critical amendment to section 269.01 of the Criminal Code, expanding aggravating factor sentencing provisions from transit operators to all transit workers performing their duties.

Previously, the provision applied only to vehicle operators such as bus drivers and train operators. The amendment ensures assaults against any transit worker, including fare inspectors, customer service agents, maintenance employees, and station staff, must be treated as an aggravating circumstance at sentencing. This change recognizes the risks faced by transit workers across Canada and ensures federal law reflects the realities on the front line.

“This is an important and long overdue step forward for the safety of transit workers across Canada,” said Marco D’Angelo, President and CEO of CUTA.

This milestone follows sustained national advocacy by CUTA, transit agencies, workers, unions including the Amalgamated Transit Union, and parliamentarians from all parties. In 2023, CUTA established a national Transit Safety Task Force, which released 27 recommendations to strengthen safety, support workers, and improve incident response. Expanding Criminal Code protections to all transit workers was a central recommendation.

On February 2, 2026, Michael Atlas, Honourary Counsel to CUTA, appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to call for this change, underscoring the risks faced across the transit workforce.

CUTA acknowledges the leadership of Members of Parliament James Maloney, Larry Brock, Roman Baber, and Bardish Chagger, as well as all members of the Standing Committee, for their bipartisan support.

“This amendment sends a clear message that violence against transit workers will be treated with the seriousness it deserves,” added Mr. D’Angelo. “We are grateful to parliamentarians from all parties who worked together to make this change possible.”

Transit workers routinely respond to medical emergencies, service disruptions, and volatile situations. Violence against them carries serious physical and psychological consequences and contributes to workforce shortages and retention challenges.

Bill C-14 now proceeds to the Senate. CUTA will continue working with Senators to support its swift passage and Royal Assent.

Review CUTA’s full set of transit safety and security recommendations: https://cutaactu.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/CUTA_Transit_Safety_Recommendations_EN-f2.pdf

-30-

Media Contact:

Jon MacMull

Canadian Urban Transit Association

[email protected]

647-215-7555