Saskatchewan government won’t create special regulations for Uber

SASKATOON – The provincial government has told the City of Saskatoon that it won’t be creating special regulations for ride-sharing companies such as Uber.

The news was delivered to a meeting of the city’s transportation committee in a report from the city solicitor.

The committee heard from several representatives from Saskatoon’s taxi and limousine industries.

All were united in saying that Uber was a predatory business that undercuts their companies by shirking regulations.

Committee chairman Randy Donauer said he would support a reduction in the regulations for taxis alongside any move to allow Uber into Saskatoon.

In the meantime, Donauer reassured the industry members in the gallery that as it stands right now, the current taxi bylaw remains in force, meaning a potential Uber driver would have to pay for a traditional taxi licence in order to operate.

California-based Uber is an app-based business that allows people to request rides over their phones and sets them up with drivers in their personal vehicles. Getting an Uber ride is typically cheaper than taking a taxi.

In January, Edmonton became the first jurisdiction to legalize the new industry. Calgary city council also recently passed a bylaw which could start in April.

However, Uber officials suspended operations in Edmonton after the Alberta government announced it would not make insurance available to drivers until the summer.

In addition, the province is requiring ride-hailing drivers to get criminal record checks and have at least a Class 4 driver’s licence, which is a commercial licence.