Laurent Lessard unswayed by taxi industry pleas to suspend Uber deal

Three consecutive meetings with taxi industryrepresentatives on Mondayfailed to convince Quebec's transport minister to suspend the government's deal with ride-hailing service Uber.

Taxi drivers in the province are opposed to a deal, struck last week, that will allow Uberto operate in Quebecfor the following year on a pilot-project basis.

But before deciding on pressure tactics to protest against the deal, industry representatives wanted to meetTransport Minister Laurent Lessard in a last-ditch effort to persuadehim to suspend it.

• Taxi drivers hold off on work stoppage to protest Uber deal

Lessard met separately with three different groups on Monday afternoon.Guy Chevrette, spokesmanfor theComitprovincial deconcertationet dedveloppementdel'industriedu taxi, emerged from the first meeting disappointed.

"They think they have the truth. They consider Uberto be operating legally,"Chevrette said following the meeting at Lessard's Quebec City office.

"It's clear to him [Lessard]that everything is legal, everything is perfect,despite the tangible proof that we've given him."

Warning of unrest

A second meeting with the Regroupement des travailleurs autonomesMtallos, which represents around 4,000taxi and truckdrivers,didn't go any better for the taxi industry.

The group's spokesman, Benot Jugand, said Lessardwas courteous but turned down their request to suspend the Uberdealso they could further consult their members.

• What's in the Uber deal?

Jugand warned the government's intransigencecould lead to rowdy and disruptiveprotests by taxi drivers.

"We have reacheda breaking point, and at a certain moment, we won't be able to control our members," he said.

Taxi industry representatives plan to meet on Tuesday to discuss possible pressure tactics. Chevrette raised the possibility of a legal challenge as well.

Following the meetings, Lessarddefended the Uber deal by saying it was modeled on other jurisdictions where Uberand the taxi industry co-exist.

"I was inspired by best practices," he said.

He also pointed out the deal allows the government to unilaterally cancel it if Uber is found to contravene its provisions.

Under the deal, Uber drivers will be forced to acquire a taxi license and will be limited to providing rides through the UberX element of the app. Uber will also pay the government per ride that its drivers offer.

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