Quebec extends Uber’s permit for a year

MONTREAL • Ride-hailing company Uber will be allowed to operate for another year in Quebec under more strict rules, Transport Minister Laurent Lessard said.

Lessard said Friday he’ll extend the pilot project under which Uber had been operating for the past 12 months, contingent on the company being subject to the same rules as traditional taxis regarding training and background checks.

Uber called the new rules “challenging” and said they threaten the company’s ability to continue offering its services to Quebecers.

Under the new rules, Uber driver background checks must be conducted by the police and no longer by private companies. Additionally, Lessard said all Uber drivers will be required to undergo the same number of training hours as do drivers of traditional taxis, 35 hours.

Under the terms of the original pilot project, Uber drivers were only forced to take 20 hours of training.

“For the government, there cannot be two standards of security,” Lessard told reporters.

Uber spokesman JeanChristophe de le Rue said the new regulations “favour old policies instead of incorporating the benefits of new technology.”

“Our team is still waiting to review the new regulations but based on our current understanding, these changes significantly threaten Uber’s ability to continue operating in Quebec,” he said.

Lessard said he understands Uber considers the new rules to be an impediment, but “we see it as basic conditions to ensure safety.”