Teo Taxi has halted operations and laid off all its drivers, a union spokesperson says.
Executives met with employees, including drivers, Tuesday morning to discuss the company’s future.
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Teo Taxi spokesperson Chu Anh Pham told Global News the meeting was not about a labour conflict, but rather concerning operations at the privately-owned electric taxi company.
She would not give further detail.
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Stephane Lacroix, communications director for the Teamsters, said the company’s roughly 400 drivers receiving layoff notices early Tuesday morning from Taxelco, Teo’s parent company.
He said drivers who showed up before their 4 a.m. shift were the first to learn the news; some were met by security guards and others by managers.
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A company notice shared with media said a reorganization was unavoidable because of a lack of support from the company’s principal partners, and it was with regret that the drivers were being let go.
Lacroix says drivers knew the company was in financial difficulty, but thought there was more time to try to save it.
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The environmentally-friendly taxi service was a venture by entrepreneur Alexandre Taillefer.
It got its start in 2015 with a $250 million investment led by venture capital firm XPND Capital, where he is the managing director.
Taillefer is reported to no longer be involved in operations or management at Teo Taxi.
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It promised free Wi-Fi to customers and a $15 hourly wage to its drivers.
Reports last week said Taxelco was preparing to seek protection from its creditors as part of major restructuring. Neither Taxelco nor its shareholders commented at the time.
Teo’s fleet includes Kia Soul, Nissan Leaf and Tesla — all electric cars. Teo Taxi is owned by Taxelco, which also owns Diamond Taxi and Hochelaga Taxi.
— with files from The Canadian Press.