Uber bill sparks tensions among rank-and-file Quebec Liberals

The Liberal government's plan to clamp down on ride-hailing services in the province may have earned it praise from the taxi industry, but within the party there are concerns the bill makes it look out of touch and anti-market.

• Quebec introduces legislation aimed at cracking down on Uber

Internal tensions over the proposedregulations could even disrupt the Quebec Liberals' weekend convention in Drummondville, Que., in what would be a rare display of rank-and-file party members breaking with the government's line.

Transportation MinisterJacques Daousttabledon Thursdaya series of amendments to Quebec's taxi laws that, among other measures,wouldforce UberX drivers to geta taxi permit.

Daybreak Montreal11:19New Uber laws in Quebec

Daybreak talks to Jonathan Hamel, an avid Liberal supporter, about the province's decision to make Uber X drivers obtain a class 4 license. President of Champlain Taxi, George Boussios, also joins in on the conversation.

Though Uber Quebec says it is studying the legislation, it has in the past indicated that such stringent regulations would force it to shut down its operations in the province.

That prospect has upset someQuebec Liberals, who worryDaousthas turned his back on the party's foundationalprinciples.

"We've defended the free market for 150 years, and now we're favouring a single player," said JonathanHamel, a long-time Liberal party member who headed theRobervalriding association between 2007 and2013.

• Uber says new Quebec legislation could shut down ride-hailing service

Hamelis part of a small group of Liberalswho say that ifDaoust'sbill goes ahead, theywillchallenge hisnomination prior tothe next election.

They're vowing to do the same for Dominique Anglade,the minister of the economy, innovation and digital strategy.

Hamel claims the party was strong-armed into its position on Uberby threats made byDaoustand Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, who has been a bullishsupporter of the taxi industry.

"Who's leading the party? Is it Denis Coderre? Is it Jacques Daoust?" Hamel said.

'You're not going to win a bet against the internet'

Hamelbelieves there is a sizeable number of Liberal members who are uneasy with the party's willingness to protect the taxi industry at the expense of Uberand the sharing economy in general.

High on that listare members of the party'syouth wing. They plan to table a motion at this weekend's convention that will ask the party to allow further developments to thesharing economy.

Hamelsaid the perception the party is anti-Uberis likely to come back to haunt them.

"You're not going to win a bet against the internet," said Hamel.

Daoust, for his part, attempted to play down criticism his party was ignoring the economic opportunities opened by new digital technologies.

He cited, as evidence, the government-sponsored fleet of electric taxis,To, which is slowly rolling out in Montreal.

• To Taxi electric cab fleet hits the streets of downtown Montreal

"The perception that we're not comfortable with new technology is wrong,"Daoust told reporters in Quebec City.

"The proof of that is To,the proof of that is co-ops in Quebec, the proof is we will have available $25 million to develop and improve technologies."