Shop local means “limiting employee use,” not Uber ban

Confusion around Toronto’s “Shop local” initiative is apparent as the Globe and Mail and other media outlets have reported that Uber has been banned by City Council. In fact, the measure was passed by Executive Committee on March 19th and has not yet been considered by Council.

“The City of Toronto is barring its employees from using the services of American rideshare companies such as Uber increase and Lyft increase, part of broader government efforts to drive business away from U.S. companies during the trade war started by President Donald Trump,” the Globe reported on March 20th.

In fact, Item #10 of Mayor Olivia Chow’s Economic Action Plan reads:

10. “Directing day-to-day spending by City staf to Canadian-owned and local choices:

• limiting travel to the United States to essential business travel only, requiring approval
  by the City Manager;
• limiting low-value business and employee expenses from US-owned retailers; and
• limiting employee use of US-based ridesharing platforms where locally-owned alternatives exist.”

This plan will be considered by Toronto Council at this week’s meeting, March 26-28th.