Winnipeg woman launches proposed class-action lawsuit against Uber Canada
A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed by a Winnipeg woman against Uber Canada after she said she was sexually assaulted by a driver in December 2023.
An Ontario-based law firm – Consumer Law Group – filed the lawsuit on behalf of the woman, who is listed as C.K. in the statement of claim, in Manitoba's Court of King's Bench on March 15, 2024.
The lawsuit claims negligence on Uber Canada's behalf.
C.K. claims in the lawsuit documents that she was assaulted after taking an Uber on Dec. 3, 2023. She alleges she ordered a ride through the Uber app around 4:03 a.m. and receipts from her app show the ride started at 4:05 a.m.
The lawsuit also claims the ride ended at 4:29 a.m. when it arrived at C.K.'s home.
C.K. claims she had fallen asleep during the ride and woke up when she arrived. She alleged the driver got out of the vehicle, put himself in front of the passenger door and blocked her from exiting.
The suit claims the driver grabbed her and forced himself on her by kissing her and only left her alone after she started screaming.
C.K. claimed she reported the incident to police later that day and that the driver was arrested.
CTV News has reached out to Winnipeg police for comment.
Following the alleged incident, C.K. claims she has suffered emotional, physical and psychological harm and has had to deal with stress and anxiety.
Uber Canada and a number of subsidiaries of Uber Canada have yet to file a statement of defence.
A spokesperson for Uber Canada said the company couldn't comment on the proposed lawsuit, but noted safety is a key component of the company's platform.
"Which is why we take the utmost care to make sure we follow processes set out by the law," the spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.
"In Manitoba, a driver must complete a Police Background Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and a Child Abuse Registry application before starting to drive with Uber. A driver is also screened for their driving record. All screenings are required to be completed annually to maintain platform access."
The lawsuit claims Uber Canada is negligent in providing safety for passengers and doesn't have appropriate measures in place.
"The Defendants opted to instead circumvent the existing industry's basic protections in order to fuel rapid growth and to monetize hitchhiking," the claim reads.
If this class-action lawsuit is certified, anyone who claims to have been sexually assaulted, harassed or had to deal with other misconduct, can join the suit.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Cybersecurity incident' shuts down London Drugs stores across Western Canada
All 79 locations of pharmacy and retail chain London Drugs were shut down Sunday after it was the victim of a “cybersecurity incident.”
CDC says it's identified 1st documented cases of HIV transmitted through cosmetic needles
Three women diagnosed with HIV after getting 'vampire facial' procedures at an unlicensed medical spa are believed to be the first documented cases of people contracting the virus through a cosmetic procedure using needles.
Canucks pull off comeback, top Predators 4-3 in OT
Elias Lindholm scored 1:02 into overtime and the Vancouver Canucks came all the way back to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
Aerial photos show wide devastation left by a deadly tornado in China's Guangzhou
Aerial photos posted by Chinese state media on Sunday showed wide devastation in part of the southern city of Guangzhou after a tornado swept through the day before, killing five people, injuring dozens others and damaging more than 140 buildings.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Australian prime minister describes domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after protests
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Monday described domestic violence as a 'national crisis' after thousands rallied around the country against violence toward women.
Casey DeSmith won’t start Game 4 for the Canucks
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Vancouver Canucks when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series Sunday.
Putin likely didn't order death of Russian opposition leader Navalny, U.S. official says
U.S. intelligence officials have determined that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely didn't order the death of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny in February, according to an official familiar with the determination.