UberX debate shifts from Quebec streets to political arena

Provincialhearings on regulating ride-hailing services such as UberXbegan in Quebec Citytoday amid protests and a new callfor a criminal investigation into the company.

• MontrealUberXdriver speaks out after egging ambush
• Montreal taxi drivers 'occupy' downtown inUberXprotest
• MassUberXprotest by Montreal taxis sparks official calls to suspend app

Thehearings, by Quebec'stransportation and environment commission, come as friction betweentaxi drivers andUberXdrivers intensified this week.

On Thursday morning, Qubec Solidaire MNA Amir Khadir and four taxi owners took their concernsto provincial police'seconomic crimes squad.

Khadir told reportershe's hopeful provincial police will pursue fraud charges against UberX for providing an "illegal transportation" service.

At the same time, arally in support ofUber, which included testimony from drivers,was held inMontreal.

Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager for Uber Montreal, said the provinceshould listen to the will of thepopulation, citing a recent petition signed by 50,000 people in favour of the ride-hailing app.

Guillemette said he will use the hearings to make a casefor the provinceto regulate Uber in a way that "embraces technology."

Transport MinisterJacques Daoust said the hearings aren't just about Ubertheyareabout regulating the industry as it evolves along with new technology.He said Uber will need to get permits to operate on the road.

On Wednesday, hundreds of taxi drivers held a protest indowntown Montreal.OneUberXdriver said he was the target of an egging ambush by taxi drivers.

Six organizations or companiespresented briefs Thursday. TheyincludedUber Qubec and the Regroupement des travailleurs autonomes Mtallos (RTAM) the group representing Montreal's 4,000 taxi drivers.

The hearings runover five days, to March 10.