Mayor requests Torontonians use Taxis, local rideshare

Chow stops short of boycotting American giants Uber, Lyft

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow stopped short of saying staff would stop using American ground transportation services like Uber or Lyft while on City business, but did suggest Torontonians should use local businesses “like Taxis” today.

Chow was speaking at an event intended to counter American actions on tariffs. Taxi News asked Chow directly if this meant City staff would stop using Uber, an American corporation which siphons almost all of its profits immediately out of Canada.

“We are asking the those that are now relying on shopping a lot of American companies to shop local and those that travel within Toronto or using rideshare, we’re asking them to give priority to locally based rideshare program like taxis or others that are created right here in Canada,” Chow said in her answer.

In a statement provided to Taxi News, Beck Taxi’s Operations Manager Kristine Hubbard said, “We support the Team’s commitment to ensuring that our local tax dollars are not being used to fill the coffers of billion-dollar US tech companies who have sought to crush local businesses in our industry. We recognize that Toronto is in a unique position to support our local services while many cities across North America are close to becoming dependent on American app companies like Uber, a company that donated millions to Donald Trump’s inauguration fund.   

“We are grateful to see that Mayor Chow has responded to our concerns, as expressed in our letter last week,” Hubbard says.

“As a local, made-in-Toronto Company, Beck Taxi is inspired to hear that the plan to support local businesses is ‘not only feel-good policy but will help to build our economic armour.’

“Dedicated members of our community have been working to build Beck since 1967 – a testament to the Canadian story for so many, from those who are multi-generational families to those who are first-generation Canadians.  This is what makes Canadian companies and brands last, and we are committed to moving forward for decades to come.”

The Mayor’s Economic Action Plan is being presented as part of a City of Toronto staff report that puts forward a plan to mitigate the impact of new U.S. tariffs on Toronto businesses, workers and residents. The staff report will be considered by the City’s Executive Committee on Wednesday, March 19, followed by Toronto City Council at the end of the month. 

A staff report on Vehicle for Hire earnings, scheduled to come forward before the end of the first quarter, is on the on Executive Committee Agenda.

The Economic Action plan report outlines that over the next 30 days, the City will implement 10 actions. Key measures include: 

• Prioritizing Canadian suppliers in City procurement to support local businesses
• Deferring property taxes for industrial properties to provide cashflow relief
• Launching a “Love Local” campaign to encourage residents and businesses to choose Canadian-made goods and services
• Providing dedicated supports and promotional efforts for Toronto’s manufacturing and industrial sector
• Partnering with regional municipalities and the Province to reduce reliance on U.S.-based suppliers
• Expanding global markets for Toronto businesses through industry and export development partnerships
• Supporting technology adoption for businesses to increase competitiveness.
• Increasing procurement opportunities for Indigenous, Black and diverse suppliers and social enterprises
• Helping businesses prepare for economic and technological disruptions related to tariffs
• Directing City staff spending toward Canadian-owned and local businesses.

Procurement policy amendments 

To support Canadian businesses and reduce exposure to U.S. tariffs, the report proposes amendments to the City’s procurement bylaw, ensuring Canadian suppliers receive priority in competitive bidding processes. Key changes would include: 

• New City competitive contracts under $353,300 for goods/services and $8.8 million for construction will be awarded exclusively to Canadian suppliers, in line with the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and the terms to which the City is bound
• American-based suppliers may be deemed ineligible to bid on new competitive contracts when it is in the City’s best interest
• Increased supplier outreach programs to find local alternatives for key goods, such as construction materials, technology, municipal water equipment and paramedic supplies
• Expansion of procurement opportunities for Indigenous, Black and diverse suppliers to increase participation under the City’s Social Procurement Policy. 

Industrial Property Tax Deferral Program 

To help industrial businesses absorb the financial impact of tariffs, the staff report proposes an Industrial Property Tax Deferral Program. This initiative allows eligible industrial property owners to defer tax payments from June 1 to November 30, 2025 without incurring late fees or interest charges. Key details of the program include: 

• Eligibility for industrial property owners experiencing significant financial hardship due to tariffs
• No penalties or interest on late payments during the six-month deferral period
• Estimated program cost of $300,000 to $750,000, offset against budgeted tax revenues
• Application-based process with approval criteria based on financial impact assessments.
•  

The City is working with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to align efforts under a Team Canada approach.

–with files from Alexander Zdravco