HALIFAX – The Halifax Regional Council is set to review proposed bylaw modifications that could result in increased regulatory oversight of drivers for ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. This discussion is scheduled to take place during the council's upcoming meeting on January 27.
Uber has voiced its opposition to the proposed changes, arguing that they would result in heightened fares, excessive administrative burdens, additional fees for drivers, and no enhanced safety benefits for passengers. The company emphasizes that the suggested amendments could complicate the operating environment for both drivers and riders without contributing to improved safety measures.
DIFFERENCES IN REGULATION BETWEEN TAXIS AND RIDE-HAILING COMPANIES IN HALIFAX
In Halifax, ride-hailing drivers are currently subject to the same background checks and training requirements as traditional taxi and limousine drivers. However, the key distinction lies in how these checks are processed. Taxi drivers submit their documentation directly to the municipality, whereas ride-hailing drivers provide the information to their employers. A recent report from municipal staff recommended an amendment that would dictate ride-hailing drivers handle their documentation in line with taxi drivers’ protocols.
BACKGROUND CHECKS REQUIRED FOR DRIVERS
Both taxi and ride-hailing drivers must undergo checks for criminal records, child abuse allegations, and a police screening for individuals working with vulnerable populations. Uber has indicated that the municipality can access these documents upon request, suggesting that cooperation is possible without the need for regulatory changes.
THE MAYOR'S PERSPECTIVE
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore has expressed his disapproval of the recommended changes, arguing they would impose additional bureaucratic hurdles for drivers and the municipality while increasing costs for riders and drivers alike. Instead, he proposed that Uber and other ride-hailing companies could establish a data-sharing agreement with the city to provide regular updates on driver information. He also suggested that periodic audits could be beneficial. The Mayor noted that only four other jurisdictions in Canada—Calgary and Red Deer in Alberta, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan—are advancing similar models for regulating ride-hailing services. Fillmore criticized the proposed Halifax model as cumbersome, warning that it could deplete municipal resources and escalate the cost of ride-hailing services.
UBER'S RESPONSE TO COUNCIL DEVELOPMENTS
In light of the deferment of the council’s debate, an Uber Canada spokesperson, Keerthana Rang, conveyed the company’s thoughts in a statement. She expressed optimism that the council was attentive to drivers’ concerns about the potential for increased bureaucracy and costs with no apparent safety advantages. Rang stated that they look forward to continuing to collaborate with the city on the matter. Uber has highlighted that the proposed amendments would introduce significantly higher costs for drivers, including $135 in new fees and an additional $100 every two years.
Recently, Uber called on its drivers in the Halifax region to send messages of protest to council members regarding these proposed changes, resulting in Councillor Sam Austin receiving between 100 and 200 emails from drivers in a short time frame.
FACTS ABOUT UBER CANADA
Founded by Calgary entrepreneur Garrett Camp in 2010, Uber Canada launched its services on March 15, 2012, in Toronto and has since expanded to operate in 140 municipalities across nine provinces as of 2022. Over its first decade, 17 million Canadians utilized Uber for trips or deliveries, while approximately 600,000 individuals worked as Uber contractors, collectively earning $7.8 billion. The company began operations in Halifax in 2020, with Lyft beginning its services in the region just last month.
