Taxi industry threatens next protest ‘will be even worse’

TORONTO — Just days after chaotic protests consumed Toronto streets, members of the taxi industry are threatening their actions could escalate.

The main message being directed at Mayor John Tory from cab drivers and owners has been to keep Uber from operating without proper permits and licenses from the city.

“They should enforce the Highway Traffic Act which enables him to crack down on UberX,” iTaxiworkers president Sajid Mugahl said.

“Right now they are transporting public from point A to point B and getting the money out of it and that’s good enough for him to charge those drivers.”

WATCH: ‘Stop UberX’: cab industry vents frustration on Uber, wants productive meeting with city

Mughal did apologize for the disruptions protesters made Wednesday evening, but also said if the city does not meet the taxi industry’s needs, protests will be much worse.

After thousands of protesters bombarded the downtown core, causing major traffic jams for several hours Wednesday, Tory tweeted that he spoke with police Chief Mark Saunders and they will coordinate a meeting with members of the taxi industry.

Toronto Police have confirmed with Global News the meeting will be held at police headquarters at noon on Friday in the chief’s office.

“I’m hopeful something good will come out from the meeting with the chief of police and he will start cracking down on those drivers,” Mugahl said.

“If that doesn’t happen, the next demonstration will be even worse than this.”

READ MORE: Taxi protests spark strong reactions from city hall

But Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti is not convinced, saying the meeting is meant to merely appease members of the taxi industry.

“It was a way to get them off of the streets yesterday,” Mammoliti said.

“I think they are going to be just as upset on Saturday morning or on Friday after that meeting than they were the other day.”

Mammoliti had planned to ask city council for a moratorium on taxi licensing fees but will now wait for the next licensing and standards committee meeting in the New Year instead.

Tory called on protesters to “stand down” and end the demonstration before the evening rush hour.

“There is no excuse for putting the safety of the public at risk, for blocking ambulances and first responders, for police officers being knocked to the ground,” he said.

But protests continued to block the busy intersection of Bay Street and Queen Street which was shut down until after 7:30 p.m.

READ MORE: Taxi protests spark strong reactions from city hall

The mayor did emphasize that city staff are working to find new ways to regulate the taxi industry – including Uber – and a report is expected in the spring.