York Region Transit Investigated After Allegations of Excessive Force
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A Newmarket family alleges fare inspectors racially profiled and assaulted a Black man with disabilities over a fare dispute.
York Region Transit is under investigation following allegations that fare inspectors used excessive force and racial profiling against a 21-year-old Black man with disabilities, according to reporting from CBC Toronto.
The incident occurred on July 30 in Newmarket. The man's mother told CBC Toronto that her son, who has auditory processing and verbal comprehension disabilities, forgot to tap his Presto card before boarding a regional bus after traveling from Union Station. She alleges that when fare inspectors requested proof of payment, the situation escalated. According to the mother, one inspector shouted at her son, and two others intervened. She claims that her son suffered bruises and scrapes after being thrown to the ground, handcuffed, and having his bag searched.
The mother claims the handcuffs prevented her son from showing digital proof that he had tapped his card at the start of his trip, which likely fell within the Ontario One Fare Program transfer limit. The man was issued two tickets: one for failure to show identification and one for failure to pay a fare.
Richard Montoya, York Region’s director of transit operations, stated that the region is fully cooperating and takes the allegations seriously. He noted that transit special constables are investigated by the York Regional Police’s professional standards bureau. York Regional Police confirmed they are aware of the incident and are investigating.
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA) is supporting the family. Harini Sivalingam, director of the equality program at the CCLA, told CBC Toronto that accountability measures for transit special constables are currently insufficient. Sivalingam is calling for a provincewide independent civilian body to oversee transit officers. Additionally, The Red Coalition has sent a letter to the region requesting an independent review.