MP writes about importance of Taxi industry
Winnipeg’s taxi industry does a lot more than you might think. Over the years this industry has contributed to the health and well being of our city. In many ways, the benefits go far beyond the thousands of people who receive a source of income from a taxi every year.
We have doctors, politicians, entrepreneurs, and so many others that started off driving a taxi. People drive taxis for a lot of different reasons. For many, it is a good career that provides a valuable source of income that has allowed for the purchase of a home and raising of a family, including putting a child through university. For others, it is a part time job that helps supplement their income.
I have found experienced taxi drivers to be kind, knowledgeable and friendly. A taxi driver for many visitors is the first person they see and talk to when they visit our city. A good driver can be like an ambassador to our city by leaving a positive impression with their passengers.
The taxi industry is critical to our city, argues Kevin Lamoureux, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North.
I have had numerous firsthand experiences with taxi drivers from the past. From managing my campaigns to raising tens of thousands of dollars for my previous elections.
I do not believe that elected officials have been as supportive as we could have been to the taxi industry and at times the lack of actions has led to serious problems over the years. Safety issues have always been a concern and has led to things like cameras, shields, and strobe lights. Back in the 90s, I can recall when the government allowed for a rebate in the purchase of an electric car and we saw a massive shift to cars like the Toyota Prius, where Winnipeg’s taxi industry led the way in North America at the time.
I did a quick Google search where I found the following on the net; “On March 21, 1910, the Winnipeg Free Press announced the arrival of Winnipeg’s first taxicabs, part of a fleet of Franklin town cars introduced by the Winnipeg Taxicab Company. By the end of the year there were three taxicab companies operating in Winnipeg with a combined fleet of 28 cars.”
My own history with Winnipeg’s taxi history began in 1988 when I was first elected and at the time you could buy a plate for just under $50,000. There have been many issues facing the industry over the years, but that’s not what this column is about. I want to highlight three facts about why our taxi industry is so important. Number one is the most obvious: there are people that need to get around and taxis are a popular choice for so many reasons. On that note, allow me to give a gold star to the drivers for what they did during the pandemic. Second: The taxi industry provides a source of income for literally thousands of people, many of those people make a living solely based on the industry. Finally: For many, it is a career but there is no doubt that the industry has been a starting point in so many ways to so many people and we all have benefited even those that never use taxis.
In short, the taxi industry is critical to our city and collectively we need to better support the industry. We can all do that by better understanding the impact the industry has on our community in many ways.
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Kevin Lamoureux is the Liberal Member of Parliament for Winnipeg North
