Winnipeg’s days as Canada’s last major city without a rideshare service may be numbered, with a CTV News report revealing that Uber is working with Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) to operate in the city.
According to CTV News, the popular rideshare service is looking into whether they could operate in Winnipeg under Manitoba’s current insurance model – and City Councillor Jeff Browaty has urged the provincial government to make the appropriate changes to allow the service to enter Winnipeg.
“We are working with MPI on if their existing model could suffice,” an Uber spokesperson told CTV News. “We always want to see more Canadians benefit from ridesharing and have remained interested in serving Winnipeg. We continue to engage with city officials to make this a reality.”
For its part, competitor Lyft told CTV News that the current insurance framework “does not allow true ridesharing to operate in the province.” However, the company said that it looks forward to continuing work with MPI to “to find a way forward that prioritizes public safety and consumer choice.”