Mayoral Candidate Knia Singh releases “A FIT TO RIDE PLAN,” to address violence on the TTC

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

With weeks still left to register, the number of candidates running to become Toronto’s new mayor has already hit 50, with candidates still having until May 12^th, 2023, to register, that number could climb to the triple digits.

We have a huge selection of candidates to choose from, but there is one familiar face in this campaign, a man who has been standing up for the Caribbean community in the courtroom and in the streets. Yes, I am talking about the one and only Knia Singh.

Knia has run for political office: municipally, provincially and federally, most notably running for Mayor in the 2018 and 2022 municipal elections.

Knia’s law firm, MA’AT Legal Services, was sought after to provide legal support to students facing suspension or expulsion across the GTA. In addition, Knia has been invited to be a part of the Toronto Police Committee P.A.C.E.R. (Police and Community Engagement Review) from 2015 to present, The External Implementation Steering Committee for the Black Youth Action Plan in 2018.

Currently Knia is part of PACER 2.0, Co-Chair of the Know Your Rights Committee, and the principal lawyer at MA’AT Legal Services, focusing on justice and accountability for all. Through his law firm, Knia provides placements for the Ryerson LLP Program, Articling and Paralegal students and High School Co-op placements.

Earlier this month, Knia released his mayoral proposal to take action and address the issues of violence on the TTC, “Making the TTC safer for Torontonians is not something we can wait three years for, nor can we solely rely on increased funding, since there is no guarantee that funds will be available. An immediate action plan that will utilize resources already available and relocate them to serve the purpose required is what Toronto needs to address violence on the TTC.

As Mayor of Toronto these would be the proposed actions taken to address the issue of violence on the TTC. I propose to CREATE A “FIT TO RIDE” PLAN.

FIT TO RIDE, is an initiative that would apply the principles of impaired driving and sharing roadways to that of unwell TTC patrons and sharing transportation services.

All available Special Constables would be paired with another TTC employee and ride and monitor the TTC with the intention of making sure that patrons are in a safe environment and undisturbed by other riders.

These Special Constables and TTC employees would be equipped with a communication device that is not reliant on cell service such as a 2-way radio. If they are to observe any disturbance they would radio in their location and circumstance and keep eyes on the situation until support arrives in the form of police, other special constables, or employees.

The quick response to a potentially harmful situation will increase response time for medical attention, and act as a deterrent to violent activity.

The “FIT TO RIDE” program would emphasize the importance of being “Fit to Ride” the TTC, meaning the patron is not in a state where they are a harm to themselves or any others, just like you would be if behind the wheel of a car on a public road.

This does not mean if you are intoxicated you must be taken off the TTC, but if your intoxication is a disruption to patrons of the TTC, or a safety risk to the person themselves or others has developed, there is a responsibility of the TTC to engage that person and ensure their safety and the safety of others.

Due to the urgency of the situation, I have shared some of my thoughts on the subject, and how I would start to address this issue as Mayor of Toronto.”

Sincerely, Knia Singh, 2023, Toronto Mayoral Candidate.

Let’s get out and support our community leader. You can learn more about what he stands for, and what we can expect from him as a mayor by visiting     https://www.electkniasingh.ca/about.html