Uber fights against upcoming Quebec legislation
Quebec government plans to table legislation on taxi industry in May
Uber says the end is nigh for its ride-hailing service in Quebec as the provincial government gears up to table legislation on the taxi industry.
The company behind the mobile app, which allows drivers without taxi licenses to offer rides, has launched a campaign in the hope of saving itself.
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Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager for Uber Quebec, is calling on users to write provincial Transport Minister Jacques Daoust to allow the service to continue operating.
"The situation is critical and we need your help," Guillemette said in a statement being circulated on social media.
Share your support for regulations that keep <a href="https://twitter.com/Uber_QC">@Uber_QC</a> on the road: <a href="https://t.co/qtLvMWrvzq">https://t.co/qtLvMWrvzq</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProUberQC?src=hash">#ProUberQC</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/polqc?src=hash">#polqc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnat?src=hash">#assnat</a> <a href="https://t.co/owOW8sZCI4">pic.twitter.com/owOW8sZCI4</a>
—@Uber_QCIf Quebec moves forward with its plan then Uber could be forced to leave the province by summer, says the company.
'That's their decision'
The provincial government is expected to table legislation on May 12 but Daoust says Uber doesn't necessarily have to leave Quebec.
"If they want to respect the laws, if they want to pay taxes then they are most welcome," Daoust said.
"If they want to leave because they have to pay taxes then that's their decision, not my decision."
Over the last few months, Quebec taxi drivers have called on the government to take action against Uber as it continues to expand across the province and the country.
Frustrated taxi drivers have threatened to block streets, withhold income taxes and hold strikes.
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Details of the proposed legislation have yet to be unveiled, but Daoust said he expected it would be supported by the opposition parties.