Uber to address all-party ride-hailing committee in Vancouver on Monday

VANCOUVER — An all-party committee will hear from Uber and others with a stake in ride-hailing on Monday as it prepares for the introduction of B.C. legislation this year.

The all-party committee was promised by B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver in November.

“The committee comprises MLAs from all three parties, will engage with expert witnesses, debate the issue and produce a report,” Weaver said in a statement in the fall. “The intention is to inform the development of subsequent ride-hailing legislation.” The report is to be released by Feb. 15. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft have long been available in other cities around the world, leaving many wondering when B.C. will catch up. Last month, Uber launched its food-delivery service Uber Eats. The app functions similar to its original ride-hailing app, but allows people to order food from restaurants and have it delivered.

In late 2017, the B.C. government launched an independent review into ridehailing services, although it did so without consulting companies such as Uber and Lyft. Instead, that review focused solely on the taxi industry, local governments, consumerand business-interest groups, with a report expected in the coming weeks.

At the time, Uber released a statement noting its concern that it had been excluded from the review.

“It is important that every voice be heard, including the public and ride-hailing companies which are not currently on the list of groups to be consulted,” the company had said in a statement.

The all-party committee meets Monday in downtown Vancouver at 580 West Hastings St. A representative for Uber is to speak at 2 p.m.