Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman was reportedly threatened by a representative from a taxi company after he revealed the city’s plans to create regulations for ride-sharing companies.
On Wednesday, Bowman alleged to a group of taxi-industry delegates that a member of theirs threatened him over the weekend. The mayor did not identify the individual or offer any further information about the threat. In a statement, the mayor told Winnipeg Community Taxi Coalition representative Scott McFadyen:
“One member of your delegation certainly threatened me this weekend, on Saturday.”
Jaspal Bedi accused Bowman of making a backroom deal with the premier. Bedi later retracted his statement and apologized. In a statement, Bowman said:
“That’s quite an accusation. I’m a husband. I’m a father. When somebody says I’ve cut a deal with another politician, you should have some evidence to back that up.”
The province is expected to pass a legislation that will allow companies such as Uber and Lyft to operate in Winnipeg as soon as March. The new legislation will govern both traditional taxi companies, as well as ride-sharing services.
[via CBC News]
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
LOL. That’s pretty funny for the mayor to tell the taxi industry they should have evidence, meanwhile he offers no names or evidence regarding who threatened him.
My guess would be he’s cut a back room deal and made up this “threat” to make himself appear sympathetic.
Probably playing the diplomatic approach, and not publicly slandering someone. In a way, trying to keep the peace
So politicians are good people, but taxi unions are evil? What planet have you been living on?
The hypocrisy in his statement is enough to destroy his credibility for me. I’m sure the taxi industry are no angels, but if you threaten the mayor and the mayor has proof, there would be consequences.
Think you read way too deep into my comment. Lol
Yeah probably not.
On the other hand, taxi industries have a history of being heavy handed in relation to anything that threatens their monopolistic hold over private transportation services.