Halifax: The Halifax Regional Council is set to convene today to discuss a proposed bylaw that would impose stricter oversight on drivers for ride-hailing platforms like Uber. The primary goal of the proposal is to harmonize the regulations governing ride-hailing services with the long-standing rules currently applied to traditional taxi and limousine companies. If passed, the city would take a more direct role in monitoring the individuals operating these services.
The new regulations would require ride-hailing drivers to provide their training records and background check results directly to the municipality. Currently, these companies manage their own internal vetting processes. Furthermore, drivers would be subject to an additional fee of $135 to cover administrative and licensing costs. Supporters of the move argue that these measures are essential for ensuring public safety and creating a fair competitive environment for the local taxi industry.
However, the proposal has met with stiff resistance from Uber Canada. The company argues that the city already possesses the authority to request and audit driver documents whenever necessary. Uber officials have warned that the new bylaw would create unnecessary “red tape,” leading to administrative bottlenecks. They also cautioned that the added costs and regulatory hurdles would likely result in increased fares for passengers and potentially discourage new drivers from joining the platform.
The debate arrives on the council floor after a two-week postponement. The political landscape surrounding the issue remains tense, as Mayor Andy Fillmore has already expressed his opposition to the reforms. With the council divided, it is unclear whether the majority of the 16 councillors will back the report submitted by the council committee in December. The outcome of today’s session will determine the future of how ride-sharing operates within the city.
