OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 16, 2015) - The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) commends Parliament on passing legislation to protect transit operators from attacks. Bill S-221, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (assaults on public transit operators) was passed today by the House of Commons - after having already passed the Senate last year. The bill makes assaults on public transit operators an aggravated circumstance in sentencing.

"We were very pleased to see that this bill will become law," Michael Roschlau, CUTA's President and CEO said. "Protecting our transit service providers and operators is a priority for the industry - one we see being advanced today by the government, with support from all parties in the House of Commons. On average, 5 operators are assaulted every day in Canada, men and women who are just trying to do their jobs. The new amendment to the Criminal Code will provide greater consistency in sentencing and discourage would-be assailants."

The bill was introduced in the Senate by Ontario Senator Robert Runciman, and sponsored in the House by Pickering-Scarborough East MP Corneliu Chisu. All parties in the House of Commons endorsed the bill in a rare show of political unity.

"Canadians and their legislators know this is the right thing to do. We applaud the Members of the House of Commons and the Honourable Senators for the leadership they have all shown on this issue," Roschlau concluded.

About CUTA

CUTA is the collective and influential voice of public transportation in Canada, dedicated to being at the centre of urban mobility issues with all orders of government, and delivering the highest value to its members and the communities they serve. CUTA is the national association representing public transit systems, suppliers to the industry, government agencies, individuals and related organizations in Canada.