Ridesharing companies in Mississauga, Ont. directed to suspend operations as review continues

The city of Mississauga, Ont. has passed a motion directing transportation network companies (TNCs) to suspend operations in the city as a review continues of companies operating illegally.

At this week’s general committee meeting, city council passed a motion directing TNCs and drivers to suspend operation within Mississauga until amendments are made to the Public Vehicle Licensing By-law, city council said in a press release on Thursday. The motion also requires city staff to continue to enforce the bylaw and charge all drivers; staff to report back on TNC-related charges under the bylaw; the Public Vehicle Advisory Committee (PVAC), which is conducting the review, to hold an open education session and make its recommendations to council.

The motion, which will be on the March 9 council agenda for final approval, also requests the federal and provincial governments to undertake legislative changes to regulate TNCs to ensure that they are regulated consistently across municipalities in Ontario.

TNCs are currently operating in Mississauga unlicensed.

“We need a safe and fair system where everyone operates under the law,” said Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie said in the press release. “We are taking the time and doing the work to ensure we have a level playing field.”

Ron Starr, Ward 6 councillor and PVAC chair, said that the motion “will give us time to ensure we have the best option for Mississauga. Further review will be done at the city’s Public Vehicle Advisory Committee.”

The City of Mississauga’s Public Vehicle Licensing By-law regulates transportation services provided by public vehicles (taxis and limousines.) This bylaw ensures public and consumer safety, driver safety and consumer protection for public vehicle transportation services.

The Mississauga city council motion came just days after Uber officials said that they are suspending operations in Edmonton “for now” until the Alberta government makes insurance available to drivers, likely not until the end of June.

In January, Edmonton became the first jurisdiction in Canada to legalize ridesharing services.