Quebec reopens talks with Uber as deadline looms

Quebec's government is expected to announce where it stands on UberFriday morningas the deadline set by the ride-hailing company to pull out of Quebecapproaches.

Premier PhilippeCouillardsaid early Thursdayhis government's new transport minister AndrFortinwouldspeak withrepresentatives from the ride-hailing company, but he also stressed the province "won'tsubmit to a multinational."

"We see the change, we see the new modernity, the new way of doing things. But we also have [legislation]in Quebec that has to be followed," he said.

• Uber threatens to leave if Quebec insists on stricter rules

Fortinspent Thursday in talks with the taxi industry.

Couillardsaid that if there are economic consequences for taxi drivers, they will be compensated.

Theride-hailing company has threatened to leave the province onOct. 14if the government doesn't ease up on regulations it's imposing as a prerequisite for renewing its pilot project.

Sticking points include havingUberdrivers undergo 35 hours of training the same number of hoursrequired oftraditional taxi drivers and submitting to a criminal background check by police.

Uber drivers have expressed hope that the appointment ofFortin, 35,could yieldan improved relationship between the company and the Couillardgovernment.

• Uber drivers hope to find ally in Quebec's new, younger transport minister

Fortin took over as head of the Transport Ministryfrom Laurent Lessard in Wednesday's cabinet shuffle.