Wed, 16 Dec 2015
On December 14, 2015, Oakville Town Council approved a recommendation directing staff to investigate licensing options to regulate transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber. An implementation report and new by-law regulation options will be brought back to Council for approval in 2016.
Earlier this year, Council directed staff to undertake a review of taxicab licensing regulations and the growing impact app-based ride sharing technology companies such as Uber, were having on the taxicab industry. Through the consultation process staff met with multiple stakeholders including the public, the taxicab industry and Uber representatives.
“Council has received feedback from the public,” Mayor Rob Burton said. “Staff will now provide us with options for licensing emerging technologies that are impacting the taxicab industry.”
Starting in the new year, staff will be reviewing options to regulate TNCs. The review will consider community and stakeholder impact while focusing on health and safety and consumer protection. Options available include amending the existing taxicab by-law or creating new TNC specific regulations.
Many municipalities in Ontario such as Toronto, Ottawa, Waterloo and Hamilton are also reviewing their taxicab by-laws because of Uber’s impact. In addition, Bill 131, Opportunities in the Sharing Economies Act, 2015, currently at the provincial legislature Standing Committee on Financial and Economic Affairs, would create provincial regulation of transportation network companies (including Uber) where no municipal regulations exist and would limit municipal licensing powers.