Edmonton taxi drivers protest latest attempt to legalize Uber

Coun. Mike Nickel stands in solidarity with group of protesting cab drivers

CBC.ca
Nov. 16, 2015
By Laura Osman

Once again, Edmonton's taxi drivers are using their shirts to oppose the city's plan to legalize the ride-service app Uber.

This time members of the taxi industry kept their shirts on, as they protested outside the Alberta legislature on Monday. Each yellow and black T-shirt carried the slogans "Support legal taxis" and "No two-tier system."

The shirts were printed in response to the city's new draft bylaw, which would create a special class of licence for private transportation providers like Uber.

"What we need is justice. What we need is fairness. This new proposed bylaw has neither," Husni Al-Khateeb told the crowd of 200 taxi drivers, plate owners, and other members of the industry.

Protesters said the bylaw creates an unfair playing field, as taxi drivers will be more heavily regulated than Uber drivers.

They said Uber should have to comply with the same safety standards and set fares as taxi drivers.

"I urge Mr. Iveson and the city council of Edmonton to do nothing but what is right for the public," Al-Khateeb said.

Coun. Mike Nickel attended the protest in solidarity with the drivers.

"Don't think you're alone," Nickel told the crowd.

He said while evolving technology makes change inevitable, some things should stay the same.

"For an honest day's work you should get an honest day's pay," he said.

Gurmukh Tiewana said that's all he's asking for. He's been driving an Edmonton taxi for a decade.

"We don't mind Uber if they're coming under the regulation system like other taxis," Tiewana said.

Council will debate the proposed bylaw on Tuesday.

Province to step in

Calgary's city council will also consider legalizing Uber. Today councillors asked for a new draft bylaw similar to Edmonton's.

In the meantime, Calgary has filed an injunction against 57 people believed to be driving for Uber.

Transportation Minister Brian Mason said he thinks the province should have "some degree of consistency" between Calgary and Edmonton when it comes to dealing with Uber.

He is leading a cross-ministry committee to look into potential provincial regulations. He said the committee's goals are to ensure safety and a level playing field between taxis and Uber.

Mason said the committee's work is nearly finished, and the next step is to consult with members of the industry and municipalities.