WATCH ABOVE: Taxi drivers from across the city are planning to create noise, stop traffic and block access to bridges on Tuesday.
MONTREAL – Taxi drivers from across the city stopped traffic and blocked access to bridges leading onto the island Tuesday morning as a pressure tactic against UberX.
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The Montreal protest began at 10:30 a.m. at the Technoparc at the corner of Marc-Cantin and Fernand Séguin; there are others planned across the province.
Tension between Montreal taxi drivers and UberX drivers have been on the rise since the company’s introduction in October 2014.
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Dani Atallah, Vice-President of Regroupement de Propriétaires de Taxis Montréal, said the demonstration is to protest Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard‘s support of the ride-sharing company.
“It shocked the whole industry, especially because we have so many taxes to pay,” explained Atallah.
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UberX drivers do not have to pay the same service fees as taxi drivers, like permits and higher insurance and licence plate fees.
“UberX will have their own tax system, which will result in them paying less than five per cent,” Atallah told Global News.
The organization insisted the ride-sharing system affects not only Montreal, but all of Quebec because of how heavily the province relies on its taxes.
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A class action lawsuit against Uber Canada was launched last December, and representatives said pressure tactics will continue until Premier Couillard deems the company illegal in Montreal.
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Taxi drivers are also threatening to launch another class action lawsuit against Minister of Transport, Robert Poëti.
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