TORONTO – A mass anti-Uber protest by taxi drivers in Toronto has sparked strong reaction from councillors at city hall.
Members of the taxi industry are demanding the city enforces bylaws against the ridesharing service, which detractors say is currently operating outside of the law.
READ MORE: Toronto mayor tells taxi drivers to ‘stand down’ on anti-Uber protests
Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti has been a vocal supporter of the cab industry and said he is considering putting forward a motion to council asking to eliminate licensing fees for taxis.
“These families are suffering. They are not eating. That to me is an emergency,” Mammoliti said.
“Maybe an emergency motion that says, ‘Let’s stop asking them for money. Let’s make it a level playing field until the report comes out.”
Councillor Jon Burnside said the city is working as quickly as they can to develop new regulations around Uber and UberX.
“I understand people are passionate but we partly trying to deregulate the taxi industry, regulate Uber and level the playing field all at once,” Burnside said.
“There have been over 200 charges laid against Uber drivers but the reality is we have 40 bylaw officers.”
Protests became heated in Nathan Phillips Square, with cab drivers chanting “shame.”
Shortly after a sit-in during Wednesday’s city council meeting, protestors moved to the intersection of Bay Street and Queen Street for another strike.
“The taxi drivers in this city, who are licensed, insured taxi drivers are feeling very frustrated,” said Councillor Janet Davis.
“The city has approved a new bylaw that says very clearly that Uber must be a licensed taxi broker and licensed taxi brokers can only use licensed taxis and UberX is continuing to operate illegally in the city and they are acting like bandits.”
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