Renewed calls for improved safety after two taxi drivers arrested in separate incidents
There are renewed calls to ensure the safety of Indigenous women taking taxis in Winnipeg.
Two drivers have been arrested this month and now face charges in two separate incidents with passengers.
There are measures in place but some wonder if it’s enough.
“It is now incumbent upon the government to enact and implement the Calls to Justice and I think if that is not done these incidents will continue,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee of Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak.
Settee is talking about the final report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which calls on governments to ensure safe and affordable transit and transportation services for women, girls, two spirit and gender diverse people.
Just last week Winnipeg police arrested a 44-year-old Unicity Taxi driver who faces charges of assault and forcible confinement after a 19-year-old woman said she was assaulted during a cab ride.
On Wednesday, a 51-year-old Duffy’s Taxi driver was arrested after a woman trying to retrieve her phone from a cab was dragged by the vehicle as it sped off while she clung to the outside of the car from the passenger door. Duffy’s said the company suspended the driver after reviewing video of the incident.
“No Indigenous woman should be subject to such trauma and violence and we need to hold these taxi companies accountable and there have to be systems in place to ensure that they are safe,” Settee said.
Grant Heather, the City of Winnipeg’s manager for vehicles for hire, said when a driver is charged with a relevant criminal offence or a major driving offence a licensing review is held to determine next steps.
“There’s options available on what to do and so each case is really looked at individually, based upon what has occurred, what factors played into it,” Heather said. “It’s very much a due process type scenario.”
Heather said the city is always looking at ways to improve and ensure the safety of all users of the vehicle for hire system.
“We’re always in discussion,” Heather said. “We’re always looking for ideas – whether it’s training or additional education.”
He pointed to recent improvements, including mandatory audio recording to go with the cameras located in all taxis.
“Things like that really add to the safety of both drivers and passengers because it gives you a real sense of the things that occur,” Heather said.
Neither Duffy’s nor Unicity responded to requests for on camera interviews Friday on the calls for safety improvements within the industry.
None of the allegations against either of the drivers arrested this month have been tested in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
How to avoid the trap of becoming 'house poor'
The journey to home ownership can be exciting, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew warns about the trappings of becoming 'house poor' -- where an overwhelming portion of your income is devoured by housing costs. Liew offers some practical strategies to maintain better financial health while owning a home.
Toxic forever chemicals in drinking water: Is Canada doing enough?
As the United States sets its first national limits on toxic forever chemicals in drinking water, researchers say Canada is lagging when it comes to regulations.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Some customers steaming after McDonald's ends free hot drink sticker program
It took years for Vinnie Deluca to collect more than 400 cards worth of free McDonald's McCafe coffee, a collection that now has "zero value" after the company discontinued the program.
Biden scores endorsements from Kennedy family, looking to shore up support against Trump and RFK Jr.
U.S. President Joe Biden will accept endorsements from at least 15 members of the Kennedy political family during a campaign stop in Philadelphia on Thursday as he aims to undermine Donald Trump and marginalize the candidacy of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
When new leaders took over in ancient Maya, they didn't just bury the former royals. They burned their bodies in public
New archeological investigations in Guatemala reveal that the ancient Maya people had a ritual of burning royal human remains as a public display of political regime change.
Prince William returns to public duties after wife Kate's cancer revelation
Prince William will return to public duties on Thursday for the first time since his wife Kate revealed she was undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.