Proposed Uber regulations under debate at Toronto City Hall

It’s expected to be a long and heated couple of days at Toronto City Hall as councillors began their debate Tuesday on controversial proposed Uber regulations.

The city’s report on the proposed vehicle-for-hire bylaw revealed last month was panned by the taxi industry for being too watered down and for its lack of proper safety standards.

The new regulations would combine taxicabs, limousines and private ridesharing companies all under one roof.

“These are different businesses and what you want to make sure you do is make sure, first and foremost, that everybody who rides in any kind of vehicle is safe,” said Mayor John Tory prior to the council meeting Tuesday morning.

“Secondly, that the competition is fair within the context of them being in different businesses. And third for me it’s important that consumers be given a choice.”

READ MORE: Toronto’s proposed Uber bylaw panned by taxi industry

It includes lowering licensing fees for taxi drivers, having ridesharing vehicles subject to annual inspections and a minimum level of insurance.

But the taxi industry is concerned the regulations maintain a two-tiered system weighted on the side of Uber.

Some of the amendments proposed by the taxi industry include a metered system standardized across the system with no discounts or price surges.

READ MORE: New Uber PR campaign to sway city hall could backfire, expert warns

They also want all drivers to be fully licensed in Ontario and each required to submit their HST number to the city.

VIDEO: Debate on Uber regulations sparks angry exchanges between the public, officials

3:13 Debate on Uber regulations sparks angry exchanges between the public, officials