e City of Toronto has been experiencing massive congestion due to a number of activities that it is happening here including the introduction of an uncontrolled number of PTC cars on the road, plus implementation of bike lanes and constant construction projects.
Read More
The Toronto Police Service is alerting the public to a sexual assault investigation and seeking the public’s assistance identifying a man who may, or may not, be driving a vehicle for hire.
The media release issued by TPS identifies a “driver” but does not indicate what kind of driver he is. Taxi News sought clarification on whether police are looking for a non-professional driver or a professional driver; and, if professional, whether the man was driving a Taxi, a limo, or a ride hail vehicle. (However, it appears Taxi could be eliminated as licensed Taxis in Toronto are marked with branded paint jobs, roof lights, and license numbers and would have been obvious).
Read More
In 2016, after Toronto re-wrote its vehicle for hire by-law to permit ridesharing, it completely eliminated the driver training program it had been running for almost 50 years. Training was ended so swiftly after the Council vote on By-Law 546 that a classroom full of drivers who were half-way through the 17-day training program were dismissed from class and told to leave because training had been cancelled and was no longer required.
On October 1st, Wong-Tam introduced the Motion at City Council which was referred to the General Government and Licensing Committee, where she reminded Committee members of the preventable death of Nicholas Cameron in an Uber on the Gardiner Expressway in 2018.
Read More
Councillor Josh Matlow asked the Committee whether Council could not simply direct staff to stop issuing licenses until the training program is implemented. “If we are willing to delay simply asking staff to ‘consider’ something, what does that say about our commitment to safety?” Matlow asked. “Further delay sends the signal that we’re not willing to make even the minimum effort to ensure the citizens of Toronto.”
Read More
NDP Labour critic
announces her bill to protect workers from being denied their rights because they are misclassified as ‘gig’ or ‘contract’ workers.
On October 21st, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, and is expected to be available in the other provinces soon.
Canada is working with international partners in an effort to obtain recognition abroad to facilitate world travel.
Read More
On October 20, the Ontario government announced it intends to introduce legislation that would, if passed, allow delivery workers access to company washrooms at businesses where they are delivering or picking up items.
Consultations conducted by the Ontario Workforce Recovery Advisory Committee have indicated that couriers, truck drivers, and people who deliver food, including those for online delivery platform are often denied use of a washroom at businesses they serve.
“For professional drivers and delivery workers who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for the past 19 months, the inability to access restroom facilities has been a major irritant. This legislation recognizes the essential work that these men and women have been doing and provides them with the working conditions and respect they deserve,” says Teamsters Canada president Francois Laporte.
Read MoreDriver training for all Vehicle for Hire drivers, which was referred to the November 30th General Government and Licensing Committee, will be discussed at the October 20th General Government and Licensing Committee meeting.
Read More
Eligible Accessible Taxi drivers in Toronto have begun receiving cheques in payment from the Accessibility Fund Program.
Taxi News contacted Toronto’s media office as well as its Freedom of Information office on October 11th to confirm complaints from a group of 30 Accessible drivers who were still waiting for payment of their 2020 funds. Beck driver Mohsen Holway had alerted Taxi News to the fact that hundreds of drivers who delivered Accessible service were waiting and wondering when their payments would arrive.
Read More