City of Edmonton files court injunction against Uber

The city of Edmonton has followed through on its threat to file a court injunction against Uber to get them to cease operations.

The controversial ride-share company started operating in Edmonton at the end of December. Late last week, Uber announced it would offer free rides, calling into question whether the service was still operating illegally.

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“As far as we’re concerned they’re continuing to operate a business, and therefore we are pursuing the injunction,” said Scott Mackie, the city’s planning manager.

The city considers the service illegal because drivers do not hold taxi licenses.

“It is not reasonable to allow any service to continue operating that potentially poses risks to the public,” he said.

Edmonton city council will continue to look at changing regulations to allow services like Uber to operate.

However, those recommendations are not expected until the fall and the city asked Uber to stop operations in the meantime.

If successful, Edmonton will be the first city in Canada to make Uber legal.

“People are getting more demanding and they should be more demanding,” Coun. Scott McKeen said.

“There’s a service demand that’s not being met by the status quo.”

City officials said they don’t know when the courts will make a decision about whether to allow the injunction.

The City of Toronto filed for a similar injunction in November, but it has not yet been approved.