City council to step up as province declines to regulate Uber

The provincial government has told the city of Saskatoon that it won’t be creating regulations for ridesharing companies like Uber.
 
The news was delivered to a meeting of the city’s transportation committee in a report from the city solicitor.
 
The committee heard from several representatives from Saskatoon’s taxi and limousine industries. All were united in saying that Uber was a predatory business that undercuts their companies by shirking regulations.
 
Kelly Frie, manager of Comfort Cabs, was among those who attended. He said it was key that the cab industry be consulted ahead of any move to allow Uber into the market.
 
“We’re open to adapt, and that’s the main thing that we want people (and council) to know, is that we’re willing to do what it takes to make the industry better,” he said.
 
During the meeting, committee chair Randy Donauer said he didn’t view it as his job to prevent competition, but he also wasn’t willing to give one company a leg up over another. He said he would support a reduction in the regulations for taxis alongside any move to allow Uber into Saskatoon.
 
In the meantime, Donauer reassured the industry members in the gallery that as it stands right now, the current taxi bylaw remains in force — meaning a potential Uber driver would have to pay for a traditional taxi license in order to operate.
 
The committee sent the subject of rideshare companies back to administration for more study, with reports to come back at a later date.
 
Councillor Darren Hill said rideshare regulations would most likely land on the plate of the new council following October’s civic election.