Liberals in British Columbia have voted overwhelmingly in support of legislation that will call for insurance and other regulations in order to permit ride-sharing, it has emerged.
As the province mulls over the issue, delegates at the governing party’s convention voted 81% on Saturday to approve the resolution, which would mean implementing insurance to protect passengers, including a driver-screening process, and outlining distinct rules for ride-sharing.
“I’ve seen ride-sharing work. As the party of ‘Yes,’ let’s get to ‘yes’ on ride-sharing,” James Lombardi, the B.C. Liberal candidate for Vancouver-Point Grey told delegates
, CBC reports.
Uber, which has launched in a number of cities across Canada but not yet in B.C on a large-scale, responded quickly to the Liberals’ vote.
“It’s clear that British Columbians want the provincial government [to] move forward on progressive ride-sharing regulations as soon as possible,” Uber Canada spokesperson Susie Heath said in a statement.
She continued: “It is encouraging to see 81% support from the B.C. Liberal Party on ride-sharing, which is reflective of the broad public support in the province to have Uber bring safe, reliable and affordable transportation options to communities across B.C.”
The provincial community minister Peter Fassbender, who is also responsible for TransLink, the Lower Mainland authority in charge of transportation, said that the government would continue its own assessment of the potential of ride-sharing and would not be swayed by the vote.
“I feel no more pressure than I felt before, quite honestly,” Fassbender told reporters.
He admitted that change is inevitable, but said that the province will clarify its position on the issue ahead of the May 2017 provincial election.
Gavin Dew, who ran for the Liberals in the Vancouver-Mount Pleasant by-election earlier this year but did not win, said he feels ashamed that the province has not figured out how to regulate ride-sharing.
“Change is hard, but prolonged uncertainty is worse. It’s time we get to clarity on this as soon as possible,” he said.
Related stories:
Ride-sharing insurance does not cover all risks: opinion
Technology to dramatically drive down auto premiums and disrupt industry
