More speakers than time to speak at final hearing on Uber bill

WinnipegFreePress.com
Oct. 31, 2017
Nick Martin

A provincial committee considering the Local Vehicles for Hire Act has already set records, but still had 126 people lined up to speak Tuesday evening to denounce plans to allow Uber to operate in Manitoba.

"So far, 268 people have registered to speak, only 142 have spoken," New Democrat MLA Jim Maloway said Tuesday.

That's already more people than the 130 who spoke on an NDP increase in the provincial sales tax, he said.

Tuesday night was the final scheduled committee hearing. Maloway couldn't recall a previous committee hearing in which people registered to speak couldn't because time ran out.

"Manitoba is about to make history, but in a bad way," he said.

He said it would take unanimous consent to extend the deadline.

Premier Brian Pallister would not say whether the Tories will give consent to keep going. That's up to his party whip and his house leader, he said.

Bill 30 gives municipalities the authority to allow and to regulate taxis, limousines and ride-sharing operations such as Uber or Lyft.

Save for one Uber representative who spoke in support of the bill the overwhelming majority of speakers have been taxi owners, operators or family members, all pleading with the government not to jeopardize the life's savings they've invested in taxis and licences. Many have said they sold everything they owned overseas to immigrate to Canada and get into the taxi industry.

Many have called on the province to ensure there is a level playing field for cost, equipment and safety checks for anyone allowed to operate.

Maloway said all of the outstanding speakers appear to be from the taxi community.

He will table many amendments to the bill, primary among them a requirement that compensation be paid to taxi-industry members.