Limo, iTaxi drivers write Labour Minister

David Piccini, Esq.

Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development

Government of Ontario

Subject: Urgent Action Needed to Address Labour Law Concerns for Gig Workers in Toronto

Dear Minister Piccini,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to bring to your immediate attention pressing issues concerning the treatment of gig workers in Toronto, particularly rideshare and delivery drivers. These workers form a vital part of our city’s transportation network and deserve equitable treatment under the law.

Recently, City of Toronto staff submitted a report recommending a cap of 80,429 rideshare vehicles. This proposed cap raises significant concerns regarding congestion, accident risks, and environmental degradation, negatively impacting Toronto residents. For context, before the advent of rideshare services, Toronto operated with a fleet of approximately 5,600 taxis and 400 limousines—a total of 6,000 vehicles—which adequately met the city’s demand without compromising service quality or urban conditions.

We propose an alternative, reasonable cap of no more than 18,000 rideshare vehicles—three times the combined number of taxis and limousines—to ensure sustainable operations and mitigate potential harm to the city.

In addition, we respectfully seek your leadership in addressing three critical labour-related concerns:

1. Equitable Treatment of Drivers

Taxi, limousine, and rideshare drivers in Toronto face significant disparities in their treatment by the City’s Municipal Licensing and Standards (MLS) staff, the City Council, and rideshare companies. These inequities create an uneven playing field across these sectors. We urge your ministry to intervene to ensure fair and consistent regulations for all drivers, regardless of the service they provide.

2. Fair Compensation for Rideshare and Delivery Workers

Many rideshare and delivery workers in Toronto currently earn as little as $6 per hour, as recently highlighted by Mayor Olivia Chow. This practice is in direct violation of Ontario’s minimum wage laws, which mandate a minimum wage of $17.20 per hour. Immediate action is required to enforce these standards, ensuring rideshare companies comply with provincial laws and that drivers are compensated fairly for their work.

3. Discrepancy in Insurance Requirements

Rideshare drivers are currently required to maintain liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $2 million, while taxi and limousine drivers are mandated to carry commercial insurance. The latter carries a significantly higher financial burden, with premiums ranging from $600 to $1,000 compared to liability insurance costs of approximately $200. This disparity is unjust and creates an uneven financial burden. We urge the provincial government to standardize insurance requirements across all categories of drivers to ensure fairness.

These issues are both urgent and critical to the livelihoods of thousands of gig workers in Toronto. We request your immediate intervention to address these concerns and work toward equitable labour practices.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We would be happy to meet with you or your team to discuss these issues further and explore solutions.

Sincerely,

M. Ejaz Butt

President, Limo Association

Secretary, I-Taxi Workers Association of Toronto

Leading Representative of Uber Drivers

C.C  HONORABLE MAYOR TORONTO (OLIVIA CHOW).