moved for leave to introduce Bill C-395, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (public transit workers).
Mr. Speaker, 10 year ago, lawmakers took a crucial step to support frontline transit workers by broadening sentences for assaults on drivers. However, even at that time, we acknowledged that there was more work to be done.
Each year, thousands of on-duty transit workers face violence while serving our communities. They ensure that our trips are smooth, safe and comfortable, and yet each day we hear stories from these workers saying that they are victims of assaults that range from verbal abuse to life-altering physical attacks.
The bill would extend protections to essential transit workers who were left out in 2014. Constituents within the riding of Waterloo and across the country expect the House to act. Together, let us give the legislation the smooth journey that transit workers strive to give us every day, because doing our jobs means protecting transit workers and their jobs.
I hope that everyone will work together to support this bill.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)