Quebec Superior Court rejects cabbies' demands, rules deal with Uber legal

CTV.ca
Oct. 5, 2017
By The Canadian Press

The Quebec Superior Court has rejected a demand from the province's taxi industry to declare Uber's operations illegal.

Justice Elise Poisson said in a ruling released today the transport minister didn't exceed his powers in signing a deal with the ride-hailing company allowing it to operate in Quebec.

Several taxi companies, the union representing many drivers, and other stakeholders had asked the court in 2016 to declare Uber's Quebec operations illegal and to rescind its permit.

Transport Minister Laurent Lessard signed an agreement with Uber last year allowing the company to operate in Quebec for one year with the possibility of a one-year renewal.

Lessard said in late September he would renew Uber's permit but added new requirements regarding driver training and background checks.

Uber rejected the minister's demands and said it would leave Quebec by Oct. 14 if it couldn't come to a new agreement with the province.