We, a collection of elected student groups at the University of Toronto, are deeply disturbed by the recent attacks and security incidents at the TTC. Hitting closest to home was the attack on a first year architecture student at Sussex Avenue, just at the edge of our St. George campus. The 510 Spadina Avenue Streetcar is one of the most commonly used TTC routes to campus that a sizable portion of our community who are students and commuters rely on. Our university has a large commuter population that simply has no choice but to use TTC services every weekday to attend their classes and complete their degrees. Understandably, many have become apprehensive about their commutes to and from campus.
The University must do more than simply point to Campus Police and the TTC’s safety tips. At the basic level, not all students feel safe contacting Campus Police. And while security tips are an important starting point for short-term risk-minimization, they do not change the long-term safety conditions of the TTC itself, which disproportionately affect those facing socio-economic challenges. The University is an important lobbying body at the Provincial Government and the City of Toronto, and is able to advocate for the safety of their students more assertively with this power. We call on the Central Administration to utilize all of its available options to protect the safety of our community members, and that includes Provincial advocacy for improved public transport safety and affordability.
The recent attacks on the TTC have also had a great psychological impact on the community and we strongly encourage the university and faculty to increase accommodations for students who frequently use the TTC, namely commuters.
Lastly, we would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family and friends of the victim.
Signatories:
Arts & Science Students’ Union (ASSU)
University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU)
University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU)
Victoria University Students’ Administrative Council (VUSAC)
St. Michael’s College Student Union (SMCSU)
