City explains the sharing economy

Confronted by Uber, Lyft, Airbnb? Guelph launches a how-to manual for mayors and municipalities

GUELPH — When the ridesharing industry made its way to Guelph in the summer of 2015, it was a big change for the city — one that still has some asking questions today.

“Normally, when a new business comes to town, I normally get the heads-up that they’re coming, the date’s set aside to cut the ribbon for the opening, but when it comes to the specifics of ridesharing with Uber arriving, it just arrived,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie.

“Right away, the City of Guelph, like other municipalities, was in a position of reaction.”

Guthrie said the reaction in Guelph was similar to other towns and cities, with municipalities being forced to look at their bylaws and make some decisions: Should the taxi industry by deregulated? What about safety and liability concerns?

“What I found was that those questions that were flying around in Guelph were also being asked by my fellow mayors.”

It was these questions that led to the creation of “Navigating the Sharing Economy: A 6-Decision Guide for Municipalities,” originally created on behalf of the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario by the City of Guelph and officially unveiled at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s annual conference in Ottawa on Tuesday.

According to a news release announcing the report, many of the issues surrounding the sharing economy — which includes ridesharing businesses such as Uber and Lyft, renting out rooms or houses through Airbnb, or finding a dog walker on Wag — fall under the purview of towns and cities.

“As a result, sharing economy initiatives are being shaped by zoning codes, hotel and taxi licensing regulations, transit and all manner of distinctly local policy,” the news release reads.

“This guide is designed to help municipalities understand this new economy, what it means on a local level and how to respond appropriately.”

In Guelph, the city’s taxi bylaws are currently under review, taking into account the impact of ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft. Guthrie said he expects to see a staff recommendation come before council within the next eight months.

The mayor said the city will need to find a balance between economic activity and ensuring that everything is fair.

City staff are also set to undertake a bylaw review on short-term rentals and bed and breakfasts, which would include Airbnb rentals, later this year.