BC Liberals introduce private bill aimed at bringing ride-hailing to B.C. by February

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – British Columbia’s official opposition wants to have ride-hailing services by Valentine’s Day, putting forward legislation that challenge’s the provincial governments own bill introduced last week.

BC Liberal transportation critic Jordan Sturdy introduced a Private Members Bill Monday, which his party says is an “exact copy of legislation written as a government bill in 2016,” that provides a framework to get drivers properly insured. He said, if passed, the legislation fast-tracks ride hail service and bring it to B.C. by February, as opposed to the provincial government’s plan to have it by the end of next year, or possibly 2020.

The big difference with the Liberals’ bill, dubbed the Miscellaneous Statutes (Passenger Transportation Services) Amendment Act, is it would remove many of the restrictions suggested by the provincial government.

“Our bill, while it provides a level playing field for existing operators and new-entrance ridesharing companies, it does not include barriers to entry,” former Transportation Minister Todd Stone told NEWS 1130. “Our bill does not provide restrictions related to supply, boundaries, fares and does not require that drivers have a Class 4 driver’s licence.”

Instead, the Liberals plan to enforce safety and licensing for new and existing tax and ride-hailing drivers through a proposed Passenger Transportation Commissioner.

“That office would be responsible for requiring the same safety standards be in place for taxi drivers as ride-sharing drivers, ensure there are no boundary, supply, or fare restrictions, and ensure that there are adequate accessible services.” Stone said. “Those standards are important, but let’s not require all these part-time drivers to pay a fee, stand in line and wait for the provision of a Class 4 license, when we can ensure the same safety standards are in place.”

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Drivers would also be required to be a minimum of 19 years old with an unrestricted drivers license and a criminal record checks. Vehicle inspections would also be required.

The New Democrats introduced new ride-hailing legislation last week, offering what it calls a “made in B.C. solution” to longstanding demands for the services like Uber and Lyft across the province.

However, ride-hailing advocates have expressed their frustration with the province’s plan, saying the proposed approach doesn’t line up with how the service works elsewhere.

The NDP’s plan contains several conditions making it difficult to implement before the fall of 2019, at the earliest. Insurance approval for ride-hailing also depends on how quickly ICBC can implement new rules for drivers carrying passengers in private vehicles.

“Uber confirmed late last week that the NDP’s legislation would prevent them from operating in B.C.,” Sturdy says. “Once again, NDP politicking and obstruction means B.C. is denied a critical service that the rest of the western world is able to enjoy.”

The Liberals’ ride-hailing Act is an exact copy of a 2016 bill the party worked on for two years, but was ultimately never introduced before the May election.

“We simply didn’t have the time to pass the legislation before the election,” Stone said, adding the bill became part of the Liberal platform during the election campaign.  “The NDP claims that it will take another year to two years before insurance is ready and ridesharing companies can even apply for a license. The legislation we’re proposing today shows that claim is completely untrue. We have a ready-to-go framework that will allow British Columbians to take their Valentine on a date in an Uber or Lyft.”

Sturdy says the NDP is “playing games with a service that British Columbians want now,” and believes this Private Members Bill would eliminate further delays.

With the NDP and Green Party alliance holding the balance of power in the legislature, the future of the bill is uncertain.

“The only way to get this done is the three Green MLAs need to stand up to the government and they needs to say to the NDP that they aren’t supporting the NDP’s legislation,” Stone said.

Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver has repeatedly called for ride-hailing and even introduced his own bill multiple times.

-With files from Martin MacMahon and Marcella Bernardo