Toronto transit union head says Mayor Tory is wrong on Uber

Newswire.ca
Jan. 20, 2016

Bob Kinnear, President of the 10,000-member Local 113 of the Amalgamated Transit Union took direct aim at Toronto Mayor John Tory on the issue of Uber in a deputation today to the Toronto Police Services Board.

Following are excerpts from his remarks:

"Here's my question about Uber: What do we do to a company that gives the one-finger salute to our elected council when it simply asks Uber to stop operating illegally while we try to sort out the issues?

"Well, we can do what other cities in Canada and elsewhere have done and simply enforce their laws. Why can't we do that? What exactly is the problem here in Toronto?

"The problem is the mayor, who claims that we don't have the resources to enforce our laws while at the same time his proposed budget further cuts law enforcement resources.

"The problem is the mayor, who says it is impractical to try to shut down Uber, which only adds to congestion in our downtown core. But apparently it is not impractical to tow away illegally parked cars in order to reduce congestion.

"The problem is the mayor, who says different things at different times but makes it clear that Uber is here to stay, thereby encouraging Uber to aggressively disregard our laws.

"The most fundamental responsibility of an elected official is public safety. I would like the mayor to explain why there is no compromise of public safety by allowing thousands and thousands of unlicenced, untrained, underinsured and part-time drivers on Toronto's streets, especially during rush hours, especially on already congested downtown streets? If these are not necessary for the safety of the public who take taxis, why are they not needed for Uber drivers? Please explain.

"The second fundamental duty of an elected official is upholding democracy and the rule of law that flows from that democracy.

"Mayor Tory is failing us on both counts: public safety and the democratic rule of law.

"Let's get some guts, Mayor Tory, and back up our Council, back up our police and do what other cities have done to get this law-breaking beast under control.