Chaos erupts at council meeting over dispute between Uber and taxi companies

Edmonton taxi drivers screamed, chanted and some stripped off their shirts during a contentious meeting of Edmonton city council.

At issue was a bylaw that would allow companies such as Uber to legally operate in the city.

Dozens of drivers in the audience began a noisy protest, prompting councillors to leave the chambers and call in the police.

The United Cabbies Association president then urged calm from the crowd and told taxi drivers in the gallery that there were still options after council’s discussion had ended.

The meeting continued, with some amendments brought forward including the possibility of having lower licence fees for Uber drivers, with Uber paying fees as well.

Afterwards, officials said taxi drivers would plan a meeting in the coming days to discuss their response to decisions made by council, adding that a taxi strike hasn’t been ruled out.

Back in early September, officials said the proposed vehicle-for-hire bylaw would include: allowing companies that have mobile app dispatch services to operate, standardizing requirements for vehicle-for-hire class to include a mandatory criminal record check, proper class of provincial licence, insurance and annual mechanical inspections, and standardizing fees for licences of all classes of vehicles for hire.

Later Tuesday afternoon, Ramit Kar, Uber’s general manager for Alberta, issued a statement in response to the meeting.

“While some clauses would prevent ridesharing from continuing in Edmonton, Uber remains committed to working with staff and council to build trust and find a path forward.”

The first part of a new vehicle-for-hire bylaw is expected to go to a vote in November, with part two coming in the spring of 2016.