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

Uber is threatening to leave the province if reports of proposed legislation are true.

"It will shut down Uber in Quebec, so we will have half a million people who will look for another way to move around town,"Jean-NicolasGuillemette, general manager of Uber Quebec, said in an interview with CBC.

LaPressereportedWednesdaythat Transport Minister JacquesDaoustwill present legislation to cabinet today that willeffectively treatUberdrivers the same as taxis, meaning they'd have to pay for permits and that the number of vehicles on the road would be limited.

• Duelling protests over Uber's fate in Quebec
• Uber should be recognized as 'distinct service,' company says

The legislation would be tabled in the National Assembly next week and could be implemented as early as the summer, according to La Presse.

"Minister Daoust is living in the past," said Guillemette.

"He's decided to protect the status quo and to protect the taxi monopoly."

As it stands, drivers for the serviceare treated as independent contractors and aren't required tohave a taxi licence.

• Should Uber pay more tax?

Daousthassaid both the company and its drivers have a responsibility to fully declare their revenues and if they comply, the company won't have to leave.

"If they want to respect the laws, if they want to pay taxes then they are most welcome,"Daoustsaid last month.

Toronto takes different approach

Toronto, meanwhile, is going in the opposite direction.

• Torontoadopts 'surge pricing' for taxis andUber

On Tuesday, Toronto city council passed new rules that essentially will allow Uber drivers to operate with few restrictions.

Guillemette said Toronto has it right.

"More than 80 jurisdictions around the world have passed regulations that create fair rule for all the players," Guillemette said.

"Quebec's law would send a message across the world that the provinceis closed foreign investment, to innovation and to new technology."

Taxi drivers rally outside cabinet meeting

Taxi drivers on Wednesday morningalso took to the streets around the National Assembly as cabinet ministers headed into a cabinet meeting.

They wantthe government to table thebillas soon as possible.