A mother in Newmarket has accused fare inspectors on York Region Transit of using excessive force and racial profiling against her 21-year-old son with disabilities. The incident reportedly occurred on July 30 when the young man traveled from Union Station to Newmarket via GO transit before transferring to a York Region Transit bus.
To protect her son from further stigmatization, the mother and son’s identities have not been disclosed. The mother explained that her son mistakenly forgot to tap his Presto card at Newmarket, believing he had paid his fare as required. When fare inspectors asked for proof of payment as he exited the bus, her son, who has verbal comprehension and auditory processing disabilities, tried to walk away instinctively.
Allegedly, the situation escalated when one inspector began shouting at him, prompting him to stop and remove his earbud. Subsequently, two other inspectors approached, leading to a physical altercation where her son was handcuffed, thrown to the ground, and had his bag searched, resulting in injuries.
The incident is under investigation by York Region’s transit director, Richard Montoya, who assured full cooperation. The mother emphasized that her son had tapped his card within the transfer time limit at Union Station, highlighting broader issues of racial profiling and understanding invisible disabilities.
The family is supported by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association (CCLA), which advocates for more oversight of law enforcement on public transit, particularly special constables. The CCLA expressed concerns about the lack of independent accountability measures for transit officers and called for an independent civilian body to oversee their actions.
The family has requested an independent review of the incident, citing concerns of racial profiling and discrimination based on both race and disability. York Regional Police confirmed they are investigating the incident, and further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds.