Uber stands ground in ongoing scrap with taxis, governments in Canada

TORONTO – Uber drivers in Canada are facing mounting pressure from competing taxi drivers and local city governments alike – and it appears the fight is just getting started.

Last week, taxi drivers in Montreal pelted Uber cars with eggs, and dash cam videos of confrontations like this one are zipping around the Internet in increasing numbers.

WATCH: Toronto Uber driver captures confrontation with taxi drives on dashcam

READ MORE: Taxi drivers take matters into their own hands, egg Uber cars

Local governments appear to be siding with taxi workers.  “This service seemed to be operating outside the law and obviously the regulatory officials have made decision with respect to laying charges,” Toronto mayor John Tory told media on Thursday.

Toronto bylaw officers have  handed out 198 tickets to UberX drivers across the city in recent weeks.

The courts however have so far backed the ride-sharing service. An Ontario judge told the city in early July there is no evidence that Uber is operating as a taxi broker, which requires city approval.

WATCH: A class action lawsuit has been launched against UberX and UberXL. They want more than $400 million and an injunction forcing the services to stop doing business in Ontario. Christina Stevens reports.

For its part, Uber is standing its ground. A letter from the U.S. company told drivers in Toronto it would cover ticket costs.

“If you receive a bylaw ticket for driving on the Uber platform, please email us and we will take care of it,” the company said.

READ MORE: Uber is forcing Canadian cities to re-evaluate the way we take cabs

In Ottawa, police laid 32 charges against Uber drivers last week. Ten of the charges were for operating without a taxi licence, an offence that carried a fine of $615. Ten others were fined $260 for operating an unlicensed taxi cab.

http://twitter.com/OttawaPolice/status/629703023296647168

Insurance implications are about as clear as the legal status of Uber drivers. The Insurance Bureau of Canada, which represents insurers across the country, has warned Uber drivers to check policies to make sure they’re covered under commercial use.

WATCH: The government is issuing a warning to those using Uber or other ride-sharing services because of insurance issues. Jessica Kent explains.

International reaction

The taxi vs. Uber fight has gone global. In France, Paris authorities are actively investigating the UberPop branch of the U.S. company after taxi drivers rioted in June.

Taiwan officials have reportedly fined Uber over $1 million (U.S.) since last September, for penalties for operating without proper authority.

READ MORE: Hong Kong police arrest 5 Uber drivers, search ride-hailing app’s offices

This week, Hong Kong police arrested five drivers for illegally carrying passengers and driving without insurance.