Charges against Uber drivers continue while bylaw changes discussed

The Region of Waterloo is continuing to push forward with charges against six Uber drivers for operating in the region contrary totheexisting taxi bylaw that makes ride-hailing servicesillegal. But at the same, regional councillors are working on a new bylaw that would legalize those services.

A court date has been set for September 12 for the drivers, butthe region could pass a new taxi servicebylaw legalizing UberbyJune 23.

"I don't think it's hypocritical," said regional councillor Jane Mitchell. "We have a bylaw, Uber knew in July that they wouldbe illegal and to just let them go ahead, they didn't have the proper insurance, they don't have their cars inspected, there's a lot of reasons they shouldn't be out there driving and they should becharged."

• Uber could become legal in the region by the summer

In Canada, Uberdoes require drivers to get their vehicles inspected within the first 30 days of starting to drive for the company. Uber'swebsite links to local Canadian Tire garages across the country.

Mitchell says the region is still looking at charging otherUberdrivers, but noted that it has been difficult for regional bylaw staff to gather evidenceafterUberstartedpreventing city staff from using theride-hailing app.

Bylaw back and forth

A bylaw to regulate Uber was first proposed by regional staff in August,2015. If it had passedat thattime, Waterloo Region would have become thefirst jurisdictionin Ontario to regulate and allow the service.

• New Waterloo Region bylaw first to regulate ride sharing in Ontario

The region delayed makingbylaw changes because it received a lot of public feedback. Regional staff also kept an eye on a private member's bill at Queen's Park intended togovern ride-hailing; however, Mitchell says the regional bylawwasn't put on hold in order to to wait for the province to act.

"It's been a difficult thing to look at, because we have new technology now. We have to bring that in. We also have to think of some things like 'are we going to have a limit on licenses,' [and] 'what are we going to do about accessibility?' There's a lot of issues," said Mitchell.

"Staff has beenworking very hard to figure out the best way for Waterloo Region to deal with the 'taxi problem,' I guess you would call it."

The region is still soliciting public feedback on the bylaw, with the next public meeting scheduled forApril 5.

On April 20, council will discuss findings and a draft bylaw is expected to be presented on June 8.