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

Together, the City of Toronto and the TTC strongly condemn any act of violence, harassment, or abuse against transit workers and make 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 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.”

Protecting TTC’s Frontline

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.

“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.”

Well-Being Plan Efforts

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 Offenses Officers, and security guards will be on patrol on Line 1 between Union and Eglinton stations, with Toronto Police officers joining in 2026, 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, and Peer Support.

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

The TTC takes all instances of physical abuse, harassment, and threats seriously, and works with police to prosecute to the full extent of the law, agency officials said.