Quebec's Uber bill too harsh or about time? - Action News
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Montreal

Quebec's Uber bill too harsh or about time?

The issue of whether to regulate ride-hailing services like UberX has spurred passionate debate among Montrealers for months. Today's tabling of long-awaited legislation prompted more.

Montrealers react to proposed reforms that would see UberX drivers have to take out a taxi permit

This Uber supporter joined a protest in Montreal last month. (Jay Turnbull/CBC)

After months of lobbying by the taxi industry and the online transportationserviceUber, QuebecTransport Minister JacquesDaoustfinally unveiled a bill to regulate ride-hailing servicesin the province on Thursday.

IfDaoust's bill gets passed,it will force UberX drivers to take out a taxi permitor risk fines up to $25,000.

The issue of whetherto regulate ride-hailingservices such asUberhas prompted passionate debate among Montrealers formonths.Today was no different.

The Twitterverse appearedunited in itsfrustration with the bill, which many worry could force Uber to shut down its Quebec operation.

Some Twitter users wondered why Quebec couldn't follow the precedent set in other jurisdictions, where UberX drivers operate with fewer restrictions.

Others complained the government was bending to the will of the taxi industry, instead of voters.

Facebook users keener on bill

On Facebook, however, the government's bill received more favourable reviews.


Even if some were neither for nor against Uber, they acknowledged that the time had come to update the province's taxi legislation.

with files from Molly Kohli