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
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
RateMDs violates privacy of health professionals, class-action lawsuit claims
A lawsuit against RateMDs has been given the go-ahead by a B.C. Supreme Court judge who found the claim that the website violates the privacy rights of medical professionals is not 'bound to fail.'