Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson 'disgusted' by taxi vs. Uber video
President of taxi driver union confirms man seen berating driver in video is a Blueline taxi driver
Mayor Jim Watson says City of Ottawa staff are trying to identify a Blueline taxi driver seen in an online video making threats and using profane language against an Uber driver with a passenger.
"I'm disgusted by it. I think that kind of behaviour should not be tolerated," Watson told CBC News on Sunday.
"It's bullying and it really is despicable, and I've asked our staff to find out if they can identify the individual, if he's a taxi driver, and if we have the legal ability to remove his license — which I think we should because that kind of vulgar behaviour has no place in our city."
The video, which appears to have been taken from inside a vehicle, shows a man shouting at the driver.
On Monday, Amrik Singh — president of Unifor Local 1688 — told CBC News the man shouting is a Blueline taxi driver.
"If I see you again, you're dead meat. Go follow the law and get a real job. I'm not joking with you," the taxi driver tells the Uber driver before holding open the back door and shouting at the passenger.
"Take a real taxi you f---ing cheapskate," he said. Both sides threaten to call police in the profane exchange recorded for one minute and 21 seconds.
WARNING: The video below contains profane language.
Police also investigating video
Over the weekend, Ottawa police launched an investigation after a third party brought the video to their attention.
But because no one actually involved in the incident has come forward, police weren't immediately able to confirm if a taxi driver and an Uber driver were involved.
Although the name of an Ottawa taxi driver has been shared on social media in connection with the confrontation, police said they have not yet identified anyone.