Bill 151 2009

An Act to enhance public safety on public transit systems in Ontario

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Definitions

   1.  In this Act,

"public transit system" means a system operated by, for or on behalf of the Government of Ontario, a municipality in Ontario or a transit commission or authority in Ontario that provides a regular transportation service to passengers; ("réseau de transport en commun")

"weapon" means a weapon as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada). ("arme")

Threats, intimidation prohibited on public transit

   2.  (1)  No person shall threaten or intimidate a passenger or an operator or other employee of a public transit system, or any other person, in or on property that is part of the public transit system or that is used in connection with the operation of that system.

Violence prohibited

   (2)  No person shall endanger, assault or harm in any other way, or attempt to do so, a passenger or an operator or other employee of a public transit system, or any other person, in or on property that is part of the public transit system or that is used in connection with the operation of that system.

Possession of weapons prohibited

   (3)  No person shall be in possession of a weapon in or on property that is part of a public transit system or that is used in connection with the operation of that system.

Offence and penalty

   (4)  A person who contravenes subsection (1), (2) or (3) is guilty of an offence and on conviction,

  (a)  is liable to a fine of not more than $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of two years less a day, or to both; and

  (b)  is prohibited from entering any property that is part of a public transit system or that is used in connection with the operation of a public transit system.

Exceptions for law enforcement and public safety

   (5)  Nothing in this section applies to a person who is engaged in law enforcement or in maintaining public safety if the person is otherwise acting in accordance with law.

Commencement

   3.  This Act comes into force on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor.

Short title

   4.  The short title of this Act is the Zero Tolerance to Violence on Public Transit Act, 2009.

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill makes it an offence to threaten, endanger, assault or otherwise harm any person, including passengers and transit system operators and other employees, on property that is part of a public transit system in Ontario. A maximum fine of $50,000 or a term of imprisonment of two years less a day, or both, is provided where there is a conviction. A convicted person is prohibited from entering any public transit system property.