Calgary uber drivers could be arrested if injunction approved

Uberdrivers could facejail timeif the Cityof Calgary succeeds inits application for an injunction.

The application was filed on Monday against 57 people believedto be driving for the company, "and all other persons who operate as an Uber driver in the city of Calgary."

• Uber could soon be legal in Calgary as taxi committee votes for new rules
• UberX crackdown in Calgary begins

The concern is thatUberdrivers are unlicensed and don't have proper insurance.

City 'not looking to catch the unaware'

The injunction being sought by the city says anyone who fails to comply to the terms of the order"may be arrested by officers of the Calgary Police Service and brought before this Court to show why they should not be cited in contempt."

The lawyer for the city, however, says the intention of the injunction is to further educate drivers.

"If you missed the campaign back then, we are reinforcing the message," said ColleenSinclair.

A cover letter was sent with the court documents to each driver named in the application stating that if the driver did not know they were breaching the bylaw, to contact Sinclair.

The city is offering a consent order where the driver agrees to stop breaching the bylaw and the city will remove that person from its application.

"We're not looking to catch the unaware," said Sinclair.

Twelve affidavits have been filed including 10 from people who work for two private investigation firms that were hired by the city.

Those people took Uber rides, documenting the name of the driver and trip information.

• MORE CITY NEWS |Calgary approves route for southeast Green Line, will formally ask province for funds
• MORE CITY NEWS |Calgary council votes to restrict payday loan operations
• MORE CITY NEWS |Homeless encampments overwhelm Calgary's PAL response team

'Disappointed'

"We're disappointed to see the city target hardworking Calgarians many recently laid off with a protectionist legal battle," said Uber spokespersonJean-Christophe de Le Rue.

"We are committed to supporting the driver-partners who have been providing a valuable transportation service in Calgary. In the meantime, Uber remains committed to serving Calgarians and working with the City of Calgary on regulations for ridesharing."

The matter will be before a judge onFriday. Another date is being held by the trial coordinatorfor Nov.20th, which is set aside for longer matters.

In April, the City of Edmonton also attempted to stop Uber drivers by seeking an injunction, but it was struck down.

On a mobile device? Read the document here.