Mynarski City Councllor Ross Eadie has resigned from the province’s Taxi Cab Board, citing concerns about the potential implementation of ride-sharing services like Uber.
In a letter announcing his resignation, Eadie said Mayor Brian Bowman’s comments in his State of the City address about ride sharing “put me in the frame of mind that I no longer am willing to spend the time required to uphold the TCB’s mandate and ensure the “vehicle for hire industry” is healthy and safe.“
Eadie said there should have been communication between council and the mayor before Bowman made comments that painted ride-sharing as a positive economic move for the city.
“(Bowman) states he will work with the Province of Manitoba and the Taxi Cab Board towards this effort. He did not communicate what so ever with me before giving the impression simply bringing in Uber will somehow make a big city,” he said.
Eadie has been a vocal opponent of bringing ride-sharing services to the city, saying it would create a dysfunctional, two-tiered industry.
A spokesperson for the mayor said Bowman has consistently supported innovative alternatives and crowd-sourced options for ride-sharing that benefit Winnipeggers.
“This should come as no surprise to Councillor Eadie who has been opposed to Uber and innovation in the taxicab industry for quite some time,” the spokesperson said in an email.
The statement also noted the mayor’s State of the City comments came after the release of a report commissioned by the board that recommended introducing Uber into the local marketplace.
“Mayor Bowman recognizes that the majority of Winnipeggers and Manitobans want government to find a way to introduce ride-sharing services like Uber, that Winnipeg cannot remain an island forever, and he supports finding a way to get it done,” it said.
Chair of the Taxi Cab Board Randy Williams explained he is disappointed to see Eadie go, but said he urges City Council to appoint a new representative as early as possible.
