Stakeholders present their cases ahead of MLAs’ ride-hailing report
The all-party committee of B.C. MLAs that heard testimony on the topic of ride hailing now has just over a month to come up with a report for the legislature.
Over three days of meetings in Vancouver, the committee on Crown corporations listened to presentations from people representing a number of interests, including provincial government regulators, taxi associations, ridehailing companies, transit authorities, municipal governments, police and researchers.
“I don’t think any of it was overly surprising,” deputy committee chair Stephanie Cadieux, Liberal MLA for Surrey South, said of the testimony. “I think, not surprisingly, there are advocates on both sides of the ride-sharing, ride-hailing, debate — those who want to see it, those who are nervous about that implementation.”
On the pro side, presenters included representatives from Uber and Lyft. Michael van Hemmen from Uber Canada said hundreds of thousands of people have already accessed the Uber app looking for transportation options in Metro. He urged the committee to recommend that ride-hailing legislation be passed this year and that changes be made to the insurance regime to cover ride hailing.
Lyft official Chelsea Harrison cautioned the committee against endorsing any action that would preserve or create industry monopolies.
The Okanagan community of Enderby said transportation options are necessary in places where there is less access to services, and proper regulations could add legitimacy, safety and reliability to activities such as ride hailing.
B.C. Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Val Litwin said its members are excited about the opportunities presented by ride hailing and the possibility of “smart regulation for private transportation.”
But taxi companies urged the province to take it slow and focus on safety when coming up with regulations. They said allowing anyone with a car and an app into the market could “destroy” the taxi industry.
Vancouver Taxi Association’s Carolyn Bauer said an app called Kater could encompass all ridehailing options and level the playing field. The head of the B.C. Taxi Association agreed.
“I think there are real issues related to ensuring safety for consumers and looking at a regulatory structure that is fair but that makes sense,” said Cadieux.
Cadieux said the committee won’t hear any more in-person testimony, but is expecting to receive supplemental written submissions as it begins its deliberations.
She said the NDP government will be in charge of determining when legislation will be brought forward, but she said it’s time to get on with it.
The committee was given the task of coming up with recommendations on ride hailing after Green party Leader Andrew Weaver introduced a private member’s bill in October to allow ride-hailing companies to operate in B.C.
The next sitting of the B.C. legislature begins on Feb. 13, and the committee’s report is due two days later.
The report will complement a review that was ordered by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Dan Hara, an expert on the taxi industry, is conducting the review without input from companies like Uber and Lyft.
Hara is expected to submit a report early this year.
Weaver said in a statement that he is delighted that British Columbians heard open discussion on the issue from all parties.
Weaver said he believes the report will address all of the concerns raised during the consultation and the Greens will keep pressure on the government to bring ride hailing to B.C. this year.