Uber, Lyft expected to follow same safety rules as taxi operators: Oppal
Posted January 14, 2018 11:18 am.
Last Updated January 14, 2018 11:19 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A prominent retired judge and politician is predicting the BC government will order all ride-hailing drivers to undergo criminal record checks before they’re allowed to transport customers in this province.
That suggestion comes from former Attorney General Wally Oppal as we wait for companies like Uber and Lyft to start legally operating in this province later this year.
“Well, it’s not easy getting a license to operate a taxi cab anywhere in this province. Cities –municipalities– have their own standards for granting such licenses.”
The longtime lawyer, who is currently representing a Kelowna-based cab company, says his clients face unfair competition if criminal record checks are not standard.
“I can’t see any recommendations being made to government without that requirement being there. I mean, that seems to be fairly fundamental that if you’re going to grant anybody the license to deal with members of the public, that they not have a criminal record.”
Last year, Uber was fined nearly nine million dollars by Colorado’s public utility commission for safety violations including the failure to properly vet nearly 60 drivers with serious criminal records.
Uber representatives admit the fine hasn’t been paid yet, but say they’re working with the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on an alternate ‘resolution.’
Oppal says legal action could be taken if safety concerns are not adequately addressed in BC.
“That seems to be common sense. I would think they would make that recommendation. If they are going to allow more people into the industry, surely, there should be a level playing field and the public ought to be protected. That should be the greatest concern. What is the public interest and how is the public best protected.”
Oppal, who was the Attorney General between 2005 and 2009, insists it’s a matter of safety –even if would-be customers don’t seem to care.
“Well, I don’t think the public really concern themselves with some of the nuances and all the complexities that are involved. The governments have a larger responsibility to ensure that the public interest is addressed and I’m sure that the government will do the right thing and that’s why they’re having this process now.”
Oppal, who currently works for Vancouver’s Boughton Law, adds he has faith in the all-party legislative committee currently putting together recommendations for a report due February 15th.
