Toronto “On Track” to Follow Edmonton in Legalizing Uber: Mayor

After Edmonton made history yesterday by being the first Canadian city to legalize Uber, Toronto Mayor John Tory looks to do the same, according to a recent comment made this morning.

Talk Radio AM640 reports Tory, commenting on Edmonton’s Uber vote on a way to a meeting, said “Toronto is on track to do the same thing.”

As news of the comment spread, the Toronto Taxi Alliance (TTA) issued a scathing press release to denounce the mayor’s comments, calling him “disrespectful of the democratic process.”

Sam Moini, spokesperson for the TTA, said “This must come as a giant surprise to members of the Licensing and Standards Committee, which voted on January 22nd to direct staff to file an injunction against Uber.”

Moini added “It must be an even larger surprise to the elected Councillors who expect to be voting on this issue next week. Apparently, their votes mean nothing, and John Tory plans to keep tossing up delay tactics and obstructions until he gets his way. It certainly explains the lack of enforcement on UberX vehicles.”

The spokesman concluded to say “This is a real insult to our elected representatives and the millions of Toronto voters who sent them to Council to vote with their own minds. John Tory has just told them: your vote means nothing.”

Edmonton’s vote to legalize Uber comes with conditions, as the company will pay an annual $70,000 operating fee, while also be required to obtain provincially approved insurance for UberX drivers, while also placing no minimums on cab fares.

Uber Canada General Manager Ian Black was pleased with the results yesterday, as he applauded Edmonton for its “progressive regulations that embrace ride sharing”.

Class Action Lawsuit Against Uber in Quebec

Meanwhile, in Quebec, a class action lawsuit is being planned against the company by a group of taxi workers, represented by Steelworkers lawyer Marc-Antoine Cloutier. A meeting is set for January 31 in Montreal to establish a plan to launch the lawsuit.

Uber Canada responded to the lawsuit to say “This protectionist class action lawsuit is without merit especially since some Quebec taxi companies are saying they had a record year in 2015.”

Anti-Uber Protest Set for Parliament Hill

Next Tuesday, the Ottawa Taxi Union will protest against Uber in Ottawa on Parliament Hill. The union has asked taxi drivers from other cities to joint the protest, which union president Amrik Singh, says will not disturb motorists in downtown Ottawa.

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