'Jubal didn't have to go this way': Brother of slain bus driver calls for action at funeral

In an emotional eulogy, the brother of a Winnipeg bus driver slain on the job called on politicians in Canada to take action and protect transit workers.

Transit union representatives from across Canada, along with friends, family and members of the public, gathered Tuesday to honour Irvine Jubal Fraser, 58, at Calvary Temple in downtown Winnipeg.

His brother,Dean Byard, spoke as part of Fraser's service. He remembered his brother as the loving husband of wife, WandaMcPhee, as a Toronto Maple Leafs fan and a man who would do anything for his friends.

"Jubal was always smiling, there was one young lady, she just called him Superman. Jubal was everybody's Superman," saidByard.

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Towardthe end of his eulogy, Byardapologized toMcPhee and said he had something else to say.

"You know, you politicians out there, you got a job to do," said Byard.

"Your actions are way too late. Mr. Mayor, Mr. Premier, [federal Public Safety Minister] Ralph Goodale the time to do something for action is now because my brother's death is not going to be in vain," he said."Jubal didn't have to go this way."

Fraser, who was known to friends asJubal,was killedFeb. 14 after getting to his last stop on Route 170at the University of Manitoba.

The bus driver asked the sole passenger remaining on the bus to leave multiple times, then a fight broke outand the passenger stabbedFraser, police said. Fraserlater died in hospital and a man arrested nearby was charged with second-degree murder.

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On Tuesday, all buses in the city pulled over tohold amoment of silence at1 p.m. CT to honourFraser. The vehicleswill alsochangetheir signsto themessage"Rest in Peace 521," fortheir slain colleague. The number 521 refers toFraser'sbadge number.

In solidarity, Thunder Bay Transit and Halifax Transit also observedmoments of silence at 1 p.m.,and Saskatoon Transit buses are displaying the message Lest We Forget on Tuesday.

GuelphTransit operator and union representativeAndrew Clearywas one of the many mourners who attended Fraser's funeral from out of town.

Clearysaid he never knew Fraser, but grieved his death along with other employees from public transitagencies in Canada.

"I'm here in support of a fallen comrade," Cleary said.

Anthony Wallace, an employee with the Toronto Transit Commission,described the bond between transit workers as like that of "brothers and sisters."

"One of us hurts, everybody hurts. The whole body of ATU [Amalgamated Transit Union] hurts. We're here to support them the best possible way we can," he said.

• Saskatoon transit buses to display 'Lest We Forget' to honour slain Winnipeg bus driver

Family gather to say goodbye to slain bus driver

8 years ago

Duration 2:03

In an emotional eulogy, the brother of a Winnipeg bus driver slain on the job called on politicians in Canada to take action and protect transit workers.Fraser is survived by his wife, a son and granddaughter. He and his wife lost their daughter, Kiesha, a few years ago.

Hiswife, McPhee, did not speak at the funeral Tuesday, but Fraser's son,Tristan,struggled through tears to address mourners.

"My dad was the best man I knew," he said.

Two GoFundMe accounts in Fraser's name have raised more than $37,000 to help support his family and cover funeral expenses. Colleagues described Fraser as a popular guy who planned to retire next year.

"This was just a working person doing their job," said JohnCallahan, president of Local 1505 of the Amalgamated Transit Union.

"It was totally unnecessary for this person to die."

'This should never happen again'

Fraser'sdeath has prompted a discussion about the safety of Winnipeg Transit operators, who say they are frequently the victims of harassment and abuse on the job.

"It's something that we've been talking about for years already," Callahan said. "I'm hoping that everyone will come together and realize that bus safety for bus operators and the riding public should be a priority."

Before the funeral Tuesday, the union president met withCoun. Marty Morantz (CharleswoodTuxedoWhyte Ridge), Winnipeg's chief transportation and utilities officer Dave Wardrop, and Winnipeg Transit's acting director Greg Ewankiw to talk about bus safety.

Callahan has advocated for installing plastic shieldsaround drivers and special emergency exits to the left of the driver's seat. Such a redesign would require financial help from all three levels of government, he said.

"This should never happen again," Callahan said. "The public support has been really huge. It's been overwhelming I hope the support continues and we have a safer transit system for everybody to enjoy."