Montreal taxi drivers skeptical about promise of compensation

GlobalNews.ca
March 28, 2018
Phil Carpenter

Montreal taxi drivers say they don’t believe the $250 million promise in Quebec’s 2018 budget to compensate them for the loss in value of their permits.

“We don’t trust you,” said taxi driver George Nassar, waiting in line for a pick-up at the Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport in Dorval.

There was a “Bye-bye Couillard” sticker on the back of his cab.

Since the arrival of Uber, drivers insist the value of their permits plummet by tens of thousands of dollars and many of them are in financial ruin.

“We lost more than $100,000 or $125,000,” driver Daher Almallah told Global News.

Taxi drivers say they’re skeptical because after years of complaining, it seems they were only promised compensation as the Oct. 1 provincial elections approach.

“I don’t think they are going to do it,” said Almallah shaking his head.

Some say even if it happens, it’s not enough.

“Because the government only talk,” added Nassar.  “We don’t respect them.”

Wilson Jean Paul, spokesperson for RTAM-Métallos, insisted the amount is much less than what they were asking for — but it’s better than nothing.

“We asked the government for $438 million to compensate Montreal drivers, but if they give us $250 million, it’s something,” he pointed out.

The announcement was short on details about how the funds will be given out.

“We will wait for the election in October,” Nassar said winking.

“We will have a surprise for them.”

The government says it plans to continue talks with the industry.