Police won’t stop UberX drivers until provincial courts weigh-in, police chief says

TORONTO — Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders says his force will wait to see how the provincial government deals with eight ongoing court cases against UberX drivers, before an “active role” in the enforcement against the ride-sharing service can be made.

Saunders said a meeting with representatives from the taxi industry Friday was “constructive,” adding that he was previously unaware of the eight cases currently waiting to be heard in provincial court.

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“From an enforcement capacity, what we are doing is we are going to wait until the courts make the decision on the outcome of those cases,” he said.

“That will determine what avenue and what course and what direction we will take from an enforcement capacity as it relates with UberX situation in the city of Toronto.”

Saunders had said prior to the meeting that all of the cases of UberX drivers were “thrown out” and that the issue was one for lawmakers to deal with, but said the reality was that the issues is before the courts to determine how Toronto police will respond.

“If the outcomes are successful from a judicial perspective then we will take an active role in the enforcement against UberX if that so presents itself,” he said.

“Until the laws are clear and defined to allow my officers to enforce the laws, there lies the gap.”

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Saunders said his “stance has shifted” after meeting with representatives from the taxi industry, and that he’s “anxious” to see what the outcomes from the court cases will be.

“I think there is some optimism that will give an opportunity for a faster resolution with the direction, or what the direction will be, versus waiting for lawmakers to come up with what their interpretations are,” he said, adding that he was “handcuffed” until a decision is made in court.

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“These charges were laid in March and so they’re provincial offences and so they have a faster turnaround then criminal offences … I don’t control the judicial system — we’re the enforcement piece. And we play a role in this and we have to respond according to the law.

“And so until those laws are properly interpreted, there’s not much more that we can do. So that’s where we’re at.”

Saunders declined to comment on whether or not he had spoken with representatives about the possibility of another strike in the city, but said he hoped the timeline for a resolution with the drivers and Uber would be faster through the provincial courts.