Uber is planning to cease operations in Quebec starting Oct. 14, according to the company’s provincial general manager, Jean-Nicolas Guillemette.
He insisted the reason is that the government never worked with the ride-sharing service and he’s not happy with the imposed regulations on drivers.
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In October 2016, Transport Minister Laurent Lessard said he would allow Uber to continue operations under a pilot project.
He explained there would be rules in place to subject Uber drivers to background checks performed by police — and not by private companies.
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Additionally, Lessard said all Uber drivers will be required to undergo the same number of training hours as taxi drivers — 35 hours, instead of 20 hours.
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Uber vehicles would have to undergo inspection every 12 months.
Uber has called the new rules “challenging,” and say they threatened its ability to continue offering its services to Quebecers.
Guillemette says Quebec didn’t consult with Uber representatives before introducing the new rules as they work to renew the pilot project.
Guillemette argued that Quebec’s rules were the strictest in Canada.
“We hope the government opens the conversation with us,” he said, adding that Uber will stay if the province “changes its mind.”
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The company says it employs about 5,000 drivers a week; most are part-time.
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