Uber reacts to Bill 100 and advocates for regulatory solutions - Statement from Jean-Nicolas Guillemette

MONTREAL, May 16, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Over the past days, many public comments have been made concerning Bill 100. While this draft legislation would prevent sharing economy services like Uber from operating in Quebec, we would like to express our commitment to find compromise and regulatory solutions that ensure healthy competition and equitable fiscal compliance for all industry players.

We continue to believe that Quebec is an ideal place for ridesharing. We truly want Uber to stay and work hand-in-hand with with the community as a good corporate citizen that   contributes to the economic prosperity and welfare of the province.. Quebecers have long embraced the notion of the sharing economy and the public is hungry for more innovation. There is recognition in our province that we need change that better supports mobility, job creation and choice.

While our business model offers new and exciting economic opportunities and transportation alternatives for Quebecers, we recognize that we have not always found the best way to work with the Quebec government to better promote these possibilities. We believe fiercely in our mission, that we're helping cities be more connected, and we regret where the debate on regulations have led us and we take responsibility for our part in getting here.

In jurisdictions across the US and Canada, where ridesharing has been regulated, including all 28 US state laws currently in place, local governments have recognized the distinct natures of ridesharing and taxi services. They found a middle ground that confers unique privileges to taxi services while also imposing new rules for ridesharing. We believe we can find the right balance here in Quebec as well.

As entrepreneurs and advocates of new technology, we are concerned that our approach has led to a bill that would penalize new innovators that want to offer creative solutions to improve transportation and reduce the congestion on our roads.

With this in mind, we are announcing our interest in participating in the upcoming parliamentary commission on Bill 100. We hope to demonstrate that we can be a collaborative partner, one who wants to help the government achieve its goals of supporting innovation and a strong Quebec economy.

SOURCE Uber Canada Inc. (Québec)

Jean-Christophe de Le Rue, [email protected], 613-806-0671