Confusion as Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Cornwall all study new rideshare laws

“Police HATE this file” and want municipalities to take it

Sault Ste. Marie and Cornwall are both “reviewing” or “clarifying” vehicle-for-hire regulations. The timing is unusual, given that Ontario is in the middle of a pilot involving rideshare services. Ontario has indicated it expects to expand rideshare regulations across the entire province after May 19, 2027 when the current pilot finishes.

Why would small cities working to carefully manage taxpayers’ dollars bother to recreate the rideshare wheel while Ontario is studying the same issue? Taxi News submitted an inquiry to the City of Cornwall, which did not respond.

“Because local police HATE being tasked with managing Vehicle for Hire enforcement – they hate having the Taxi file, and they surely don’t want to be responsible for the rideshare drivers,” one northern Ontario Taxi operator suggested to Taxi News. “Our own police chief is completely confused by what is going on…they are scrambling to hand it back to the towns while they still can.”

The end result of all of this, he predicts, “Is that there will be two Enforcement Officers for the entire province of Ontario. No one will enforce anything.”

Sault Ste. Marie has been working on the transfer of responsiblities for several months; the City of Cornwall issued the media release below on September 4th, 2026.

Ontario, meanwhile, is holding at least two consultation sessions on the topic of the current rideshare pilot in September. One of these sessions is focused on policing organizations.

From Cornwall:

“The City of Cornwall is clarifying the process to review and modernize regulations governing taxi and vehicle-for-hire services within the municipality. 

The process started in 2024 when the Cornwall Police Service Board formally requested that the City take over the taxi by-law and related administration. Earlier this year, Council authorized Administration to review the City’s existing taxi by-law and explore options for a modernized Vehicle-for-Hire framework. No new by-law has been adopted, and no final decisions have been made regarding the structure of future vehicle-for-hire services in Cornwall. 

As part of the review, Administration is currently seeking feedback from interest holders, including existing taxi operators, drivers, industry participants, accessibility advocates, and residents. Surveys have been distributed and interest holders are encouraged to provide input prior to the consultation deadline. 

Once the consultation period concludes, Administration intends to present a draft Vehicle-for-Hire by-law to Council on September 28. That presentation will provide Council with an opportunity to review the proposed framework, ask questions, and receive feedback from members of the public and interest holders through the City’s established delegation process. Following Council’s discussion and any public input received, Administration will consider all comments, make any necessary revisions, and return to Council with a final by-law for consideration at a future meeting. 

“It is important to note that Council has not made any decisions regarding a new Vehicle-for-Hire by-law, and will consider all perspectives, comments, and public concerns before any decisions are made,” said Mayor Justin Towndale. “I encourage all interested parties to participate in the process and provide feedback.” 

“The City’s process has been designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and meaningful public engagement,” said Acting CAO Matt Stephenson. “Administration has not finalized a by-law and no outcome has been predetermined. The purpose of the current consultation is to gather feedback from all affected interest holders so that Council can make an informed decision. We welcome input from existing taxi operators, drivers, residents, accessibility advocates, and any other interested parties as part of that process.” 

The City remains committed to ensuring that any future regulatory framework balances customer service, public safety, accessibility, economic considerations, and the long-term needs of the community. Residents and interest holders are encouraged to participate in the consultation process and may also address Council through the delegation process when the draft by-law is presented.”