Talks loom as politicians take sides Daoust seeks middle ground ‘in coming days’ to settle Uber conflict
Transport Minister Jacques Daoust intends to sit down with representatives from the taxi industry and Uber “in the coming days” to try to settle the conflict that is dividing even politicians.
Daoust’s predecessor, Robert Poëti, told a Montreal radio station this week he always considered Uber to be illegal. The ridehailing company headquartered in San Francisco operates without taxi permits, and does not pay any taxes in Quebec. Poëti said his position is somewhat at odds with that of Premier Philippe Couillard, who seems more in favour of regulating Uber than penalizing it.
Poëti was excluded from cabinet in last week’s shuffle, but said in the interview with 98.5 FM he did not feel that it was his position on Uber that had played against him. “The premier told me ‘I have nothing against you ... you’re an excellent minister, it’s a question of timing: I’ve said it often — I want better regional representation, more women, younger MNAs,’ ” Poëti recalled.
The question of what to do with Uber is sure to top the agenda at the Liberals’ cabinet meeting on Wednesday and pre-session caucus meeting Thursday and Friday.
On Tuesday, opposition parties once again accused the Liberals of dragging their feet: “The government should at least enforce its own laws and put in jail those who invite honest citizens to commit illegal acts,” said Amir Khadir from Québec solidaire. “Transporting people without a permit in Quebec is illegal, and here’s a company which blatantly encourages people to commit illegal acts and the government does nothing.”
“If the director of Uber continues to encourage illegality, which is non-submission to the commercial laws of Quebec, well he should be put in jail,” Khadir added.
On Jan. 15, the Parti Québécois held a joint news conference with Québec solidaire to denounce Uber. Meanwhile, the Coalition Avenir Québec said it supports the idea of imposing regulations on the company.
Presenting before the citizens relations committee at the National Assembly on Tuesday, Michel Leblanc, the head of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, said it is clear to him that change brought about by Uber is irreversible. “The interpretation in Montreal from the business community is that Uber is part of a trend that will not reverse itself. It would be absurd to try to block innovation. We have to regulate it, make sure that it’s being done in a framework where everybody feels it’s a fair treatment, but at the same time it’s a new reality and the taxi industry will need to adapt.”
Uber argues that its mobile app — designed to allow customers to hail nearby cars — makes it more of a technology company than a transportation firm.
Edmonton city councillors voted last week to legalize the ride-hailing company, making it the first Canadian city to do so. The Edmonton bylaw taking effect March 1 creates a separate licence for “private transportation providers.”
Uber trips are not covered by the same insurance plans as licensed taxi rides, and opponents argue it is one of the many safety risks associated with the practice.