Minister Todd Stone says that any attempt to set up shop in B.C. without the proper licensing could result in stiff fines and even legal action.

B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone issued a stern warning to ride-sharing giant Uber on Thursday, saying that any attempt to set up shop in B.C. without the proper licensing could result in stiff fines and even legal action.

The comments came amid media reports and rumours within the taxi industry that the multi-million-dollar company was planning a guerrilla-style launch in Metro Vancouver on Halloween, one of the busiest days of the year for local taxi companies.

Stone said that while he supports “additional choice and convenience for consumers,” this is not to come at the expense or safety of British Columbians. Should Uber want to open up in B.C., then they would need to obtain the needed provincial licensing from the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB), he said.

“My message to Uber and other any company like Uber that might be considering providing a taxi-like or limousine-like service in British Columbia is, we have rules,” Stone said.

“If Uber opts to proceed with the provision of a service and not engage the transportation branch and obtain the appropriate licences that are required, then there are going to be significant consequences.”

Those consequences could come in the form of a $1,000 fine for not having an appropriate licence and a cease-and-desist order from the PTB, he added.

“If Uber fails to suspend their services at that point (after a cease-and-desist order), then it is very likely that the Passenger Transportation Board would pursue legal action and make it very clear that Uber is not welcome to operate unless they are properly licensed,” said Stone.
As of Thursday, Stone said, he was not aware if Uber had applied for the necessary licences.

Uber did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Province. But when pressed Thursday morning by a CKNW reporter, the general manager of Uber Canada did not deny the rumours.

After a two-year hiatus, Uber, whose smartphone app connects passengers with private ride options, is trying to re-enter the Vancouver market. The company left Vancouver in 2012 after the PTB required the company to be licensed as a limousine service, which would have required customers to pay a minimum $75 for a trip.

Earlier this month, city council voted to put the hot-button issue on hold for six months, pending completion of a study on ride-sharing services. But Uber has continued to push ahead with its bid and has even sent out several job postings for Vancouver-based managers.
Also on Thursday, Opposition leader John Horgan announced he will introduce legislation next week that, if passed, will place app-based ride-share companies like Uber under the Passenger Transportation Act. The legislation would also raise the maximum fine for someone operating without a permit from $5,000 to $20,000, he said.

“With app-based ride shares and cabs like Uber trying to make headway in this province, the B.C. Liberals must take steps now to show them that the same rules will apply to everyone making a living in passenger transportation,” Horgan said in a statement.

“Rules like criminal record checks for drivers, proper insurance and safe vehicles exist to protect passenger safety in the taxi industry. Online companies should not be allowed to bypass these rules, putting passengers at risk and undercutting our locally owned taxi industry, which supports thousands of B.C. families.”