moved for leave to introduce Bill C-314, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (public transportation workers).
Mr. Speaker, more and more serious incidents of violence toward transportation workers are occurring across the country: in Vancouver, Calgary, Mississauga and Halifax. We have heard recently about a number of different incidents where bus drivers and transit workers have been assaulted.
The bill would create a new category within the Criminal Code that would ensure the protection of public transportation workers by creating a separate first degree murder offence and increasing the punishment for aggravated assault when a victim is a public transportation worker.
Every day the women and men who run our public transportation systems across the country do their utmost to ensure that Canadians arrive at work safely. We must ensure that their workplace is safe. That is why I have moved this bill today.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)