York Regional Police are currently investigating an incident that took place in July involving alleged excessive force by York Region Transit fare inspectors towards a 21-year-old man from Newmarket who has a cognitive disability.
According to a spokesperson from York Regional Police, the incident occurred on July 30 at the Newmarket bus terminal. While details are known, due to the ongoing investigation, further information cannot be provided at this time.
The man’s mother, along with advocates supporting the family, has filed an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, alleging discrimination based on race and disability. To protect their identities, the man and his mother have chosen to remain anonymous.
The man was on his way to a job interview in Newmarket after visiting friends in Toronto. He paid his GO Transit fare at Union Station and transferred to a York Region Transit (YRT) bus that dropped him off at the Newmarket Bus Terminal. He forgot to tap the Presto fare machine at the YRT station and was approached by fare inspectors upon arrival at the terminal.
The man, who has a cognitive disability, had difficulty understanding the situation due to his disability and the fact that he was listening to music to cope with daily life. The fare inspectors insisted on proof of payment, leading to a confrontation where the man was forcibly detained, handcuffed, and searched, causing physical harm and distress.
The man’s mother expressed concern over the treatment her son received, emphasizing that his race may have played a role in the inspectors’ actions. She highlighted the unfair treatment of young Black men in interactions with law enforcement.
The family and advocates have been awaiting CCTV footage from the Newmarket bus terminal to further understand the incident. York Region officials are currently reviewing the complaint, with more serious allegations potentially being escalated to the York Regional Police professional standards bureau.
Keyphrase: transit fare inspectors incident
