City Committee Fails to Endorse Proposed Uber Regulations

640toronto.com
Jan. 25, 2017

It’s another bump in the road for city politicians moving to regulate Uber in London.

Following a debate that lasted over an hour at City Hall on Tuesday, the Community and Protective Services Committee failed to endorse a revamped taxi by-law that incorporates ride sharing services.

Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officer Orest Katolyk explained why he felt the city was moving in the right direction with the proposed by-law amendments.

“We looked at a variety of different models across North America and focussed back on what Toronto is doing, what Calgary is doing, and they’re doing pretty well exactly what we’re doing,” said Katolyk. “They’re having a per-ride fee, a brokerage fee that’s reasonable, and a driver fee.”

Though several aspects of the proposed regulations have been fiercely debated, including Council’s position that cameras should not be required in Uber vehicles, much of Tuesday’s meeting focused on that three-part licence fee system.

Staff have suggested charging $10 a month for Uber drivers, a per-ride fee of 26 cents, and a brokerage fee.

Councillor Maureen Cassidy, however, pushed to relax some of those fees for Uber drivers while increasing fees for the taxi industry.

“I would remove the $10 per month fee [for Uber drivers], I would increase the annual fee for a thousand plus vehicles to $50,000 and I would change the per-trip fee to 11 cents [for Uber drivers],” Cassidy said.

Councillor Bill Armstrong voiced strong opposition to that suggestion, arguing the taxi industry was being treated unfairly.

“What really bothers me is to see these people, there were rules to the game, and now what are they going to be making an hour? $11 an hour? It’s a race to the bottom and I don’t think it’s right and that’s why I won’t be supporting this,” said Armstrong.

The committee vote was tied 2 to 2 with Councillors Cassidy and Mo Salih endorsing the by-law, while Armstrong and Harold Usher opposed it.

Councillor Phil Squire would have been the deciding vote, but had to leave the meeting early due to a prior commitment.

A tie is recorded as a loss, but the proposed amendments could still receive the necessary approval when the issue goes to full Council next week for a final vote.

Staff had hoped a new by-law would be in place by the end of March.

Until the new by-law is solidified, Uber remains an outlaw company whose drivers face fines if caught by city bylaw officers.