This bill was last introduced in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in August 2015.
This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.
This is from the published bill.
This enactment amends the Criminal Code to require a court to consider the fact that the victim of an assault is a public transit operator to be an aggravating circumstance for the purposes of sentencing.
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Assaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:45 a.m.
The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton
I invite the hon. member for Pickering—Scarborough East to exercise his right of reply. He has up to five minutes.
Assaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:45 a.m.
Conservative
Corneliu Chisu Conservative Pickering—Scarborough East, ON
Mr. Speaker, many people have put countless hours of hard work into this file. I cannot possibly convey my thanks to them all in a short five minutes; however, there are a few I would like to mention in the time I have.
Once again I would like to thank Senator Runciman and his staff for all their hard work on Bill S-221. I want to express thanks as well for the support that we have received from not only the opposition across the way but also from the various transit organizations across the country, some of whom are looking on here today. They have been very supportive and integral in getting this piece of sound legislation passed.
Bill S-221 would amend the Criminal Code to create a new aggravating factor for the sentencing of offenders convicted of uttering threats, any of the three assault offences, or unlawfully causing bodily harm to transit operators.
This would cause those who would do harm to our public transit operators to think twice before they engage in the reckless and dangerous assault of our bus drivers, subway conductors, taxi drivers, et cetera.
Ensuring these PTOs are safe is the first step in ensuring that the public using these methods of transport are also safe, as well as those on our streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks.
In conclusion, I would like to encourage all hon. members to pass the bill as soon as possible, and if possible today.
Assaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:50 a.m.
The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton
The question is on the motion. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?
Assaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:50 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
Assaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:50 a.m.
Suspension of SittingAssaults Against Public Transit OperatorsPrivate Members' Business
February 16th, 2015 / 11:50 a.m.
The Acting Speaker Bruce Stanton
It being 11:52 a.m., the House will stand suspended until noon. We will pick up government orders at that time.
(The sitting of the House was suspended at 11:52 a.m.)