EDMONTON – After a lengthy discussion, which involved an angry protest by Edmonton cab drivers, city council passed a motion Tuesday to continue the discussion around the proposed vehicle-for-hire bylaw.
Local taxi drivers packed council chambers during Tuesday’s meeting and starting yelling and protesting when councillors discussed changes to the bylaw.
The biggest uproar came when council started talking about expanding the number of taxi licence plates in the city.
Drivers starting yelling things like “shame!” and criticized Mayor Don Iveson and the councillors, saying they were taking away their ability to make a living.
Some people even started banging the walls on the concourse of council chambers.
At least one driver took off his shirt, saying it was a symbol of Iveson trying to take the shirt of his back.
Watch below: Taxi drivers break out in angry protest inside council chambers
“Brokers are helping us,” said one taxi driver, “but if you give them chance to issue unlimited number of licence plates, they will flood the market. We will not get anything from it.
“We will not get anything.”
Security officers tried to calm the crowd, but councillors ended up leaving the room through side exits.
“I’m not going to comment on the particulars of any of the security protocols, but they’re there for council’s protection and our staff’s protection and unfortunately that kicked in today,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
READ MORE: Tempers flare as Uber and taxi drivers hold simultaneous rallies at Edmonton City Hall
“Councillors talking to administration… every time asking them how they can fit Uber,” said another protester. “They are not concerned about this industry that has served them for the last 50 years. They are not concerned about any driver.”
“They want us to play the same game but there are different rules for Uber and different rules for the taxi industry,” added another man.
“Why is the field tilted towards Uber?”
One protester said Uber has been operating illegally in Edmonton and growing day-by-day. He said city council has failed to reign that in.
“One-hundred per cent failure. They should resign!”
The protest lasted for about 10 minutes before security personnel and acting city manager Linda Cochrane were able to calm the crowds.
Around 3:30 p.m., Edmonton police were also called to City Hall.
READ MORE: Proposed vehicle-for-hire bylaw would allow Uber to operate legally in Edmonton
The new bylaw would essentially make Uber drivers much like existing taxi drivers. It would require Uber drivers to undergo a criminal record check, have their vehicle inspected yearly and acquire a licence from the city.
After the meeting resumed, a number of amendments were made to the draft vehicle-for-hire bylaw, which include keeping the licensing fee for ride-sharing drivers low — a suggestion that came from Uber.
“We’ve made some of the changes that they’ve suggested, though not all of them,” said Iveson. “We’ve indicated a willingness to potentially go further, subject to them making a coherent presentation to us about what would be involved in self-regulation.”
WATCH: The conflict between traditional taxi services and ridesharing apps has divided Edmonton and has left city council struggling to find a solution. Vinesh Pratap reports.
Uber issued the following statement Tuesday evening:
“While some clauses would prevent ridesharing from continuing in Edmonton, Uber remains committed to working with staff and council to build trust and find a path forward,” said Ramit Kar, Uber’s general manager in Alberta.
Iveson said the current bylaw is dated and needs updating, whether Uber decides to stay in Edmonton or not.
“If for some reason Uber decides Edmonton is not a fit right now there are other companies, maybe even Edmonton-based companies, who can move into the space that we would create with these new regulations,” said Iveson. “I think there’s opportunity here.”
Iveson added that the new draft bylaw is about providing more choices for consumers, not running taxi drivers out of business.
Council’s decision to move forward with the bylaw was met with more criticism from taxi drivers, who said their next step could be to strike.
The topic is set to come forward to council again in November.
With files from Jessica Kent, Global News.
Comments