Toronto

Taxi drivers protesting Uber move inside city hall

Dozens of taxi drivers pushed their anti-Uber demonstration inside Toronto's city hall not long after their hunger strike being staged outside had ended.

Demonstration against ride-hailing service follows hunger strike

Some taxi drivers began a hunger strike this week to get attention for their opposition to Uber. (CBC)

Dozens of taxi drivers pushed their anti-Uber demonstration inside Toronto's city hall Friday afternoon, not long after a handful of cabbies ended a hunger strike they were staging in Nathan Phillips Square.

Before they entered the building, the taxi drivers spoke with the media and expressed their concerns about Uber and UberX drivers whom they say are breaking city bylaws without punishment.

One man had to be taken from outside city hall by paramedics during his hunger strike. (CBC)
The protesters said Mayor John Tory must deal with the issues concerning taxi drivers and Uber.

Earlier this week, three taxi drivers in the city vowed to give up food in an effort to protest against the growing infiltration of Uber. They camped in Nathan Phillips Square to express their anger.

Taxi drivers were speaking with the media Friday about the issues Uber is bringing to their industry. (CBC)
This morning, paramedics told CBC News that one man was transported from city hall at about the same time the hunger strike ended. 

In November, taxi drivers said they were considering a strike to get the attention of public officials whom they say have done little to stop Uber and UberX drivers from flouting city regulations governing the taxi industry and stealing their business.