A relatively new bylaw is under scrutiny by a London lawyer who says it’s simply too broad.
Jeff Schlemmer believes the vehicle-for-hire bylaw is written in such a way that even if someone were to accept money just to cover gas they would still technically be violating the bylaw.
“When lawyers draft laws there are different ways they can go about it. They can say ‘everything is illegal except the following’ or they can say ‘the following is illegal.’ In this case, they did it the first way and then they provided a very narrow exception to it.”
This issue first came to light after a cancer survivor who shuttled patients in need to appointments for a small fee to cover gas and maintenance was hit with a $2,260 fine, prompting Schlemmer to launch a GoFundMe to help pay the fine.
However, the woman later admitted that she had left out key parts of her story in that she was accepting other fares and that she had previously been warned by the city. At that time, Schlemmer said he was still happy to help pay the fine but that he would offer refunds to anyone who had contributed and felt deceived.
Schlemmer has since received a libel act notice from the city.
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“At a time when the city is being criticized for harassment, I don’t know if it’s the best tactic for them to be threatening somebody who’s just come forward to raise some money to pay a ticket that they would otherwise never have gotten paid. This woman’s on ODSP.”
While the woman’s story brought concerns over the bylaw to the forefront, Schlemmer told 980 CFPL that this is not about her.
“A month ago …I wrote to every city councillor and asked them ‘you know, when you passed that Uber bylaw last year did you intend to shut down all volunteer rides in the city where anybody gets a nickel for gas reimbursement?’ Only one responded to me and that was the one who’s a lawyer who said ‘of course not,'” said Schlemmer, referencing Coun. Phil Squire.
Schlemmer will be addressing the Community and Protective Services Committee next week.
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