Ward 1 candidates face off over Uber
If Darren Hill is re-elected as Ward 1 councillor, he says he will immediately lobby the provincial government to develop licensing and insurance coverage for rideshare programs such as Uber, to combat drunk driving in Saskatchewan.
“I want Uber to be an option for Saskatoon and Saskatchewan residents this Christmas party season,” he told reporters at a news conference Wednesday.
Hill said that Saskatoon residents he’s talked to are “eager” for Uber to come to their city and that the ride-sharing program is similarly keen to come to the Bridge City.
Hill said he believes the provincial government will be similarly eager to move on any initiative that could reduce drunk driving incidents given the high profile the issue has received of late — deputy premier Don McMorris resigned from cabinet last month after being charged with driving with a blood-alcohol level over .08. McMorris has pleaded guilty and was fined $1,820.
Ward 1 candidates Tyrell Alexander and Jeff Wortman both agree Uber should come to Saskatoon, but said the priority should be on developing public transit rather than setting up rules and regulations for Uber.
“Of course, by extension of lowering the amount of DUIs and general public safety, if we had a very good public transportation system that was frequent and reliable, that would certainly take care of that,” Alexander said.
Ward 1 candidate Wes Cameron said not all research suggests Uber is successful in reducing drunk driving incidents.
He said while he’s not against Uber coming to Saskatoon, the city should first put regulations in place to ensure Uber workers are protected and have access to basic workers’ rights, such as benefits.