Editor:
Re: “No Cap Set on Licences for Taxi Companies” (Sept. 20)
The Town of Canmore finally decided that regulation of the taxi industry was necessary back in 2007 due to complaints of difficulties getting rides. However this was a general problem through all industries in Alberta at this time (it could take 30 minutes or more to get a coffee at Tim Hortons at that time too).
The stated goal of council in creating the taxi bylaw was to create a stable and functional industry that could meet the needs of the population.
However, the legislation that was returned took an approach that speculated that anyone interested in working in the industry was likely a criminal.
It also included demands for information that were unconstitutional, not to mention it still requires the pulling of a taxi operator’s licence if said operator is charged (not convicted) with a crime (tantamount to a presumption of guilt, and it hobbles a person trying to pay for their constitutionally guaranteed right to a defence against these charges – a burden not required of any other citizen of Canmore, including council).
Council also refused to regulate fares or cap vehicle or business licences, allowing for anyone to start their own company and undercut fares in order to gain market share. However, this has led to a splintering of the industry into small players with little hope of long-term viability, and without the ability to provide timely and efficient service during peak hours.
The simple statistic that there are seven taxi services in a town of 11,000 people should indicate that council’s approach to regulation is not effective. Capping the number of vehicles on the road, or the number of broker licences, and regulating fares would help eliminate one-man taxi operations from springing up every couple of months, and could help the larger, more viable companies to create a service that is able to meet the demands of the citizens of Canmore.
To avoid some of the pitfalls that a finite number of vehicle plates could cause, the Town could retain ownership of the plates allowing for plates that are simply being hoarded to be rereleased into the pool, and available to companies that would use them.
Regulating fares would stop the downward pressure on rates that undermines the long-term viability of the industry as a whole.
The Town of Canmore’s approach to regulating the taxi industry has taken an entirely backwards approach that treats workers as criminals, and allows for the splintering and weakening of the industry. The taxi bylaw needs to be revisited from the first clause on in order to properly create a safe and effective service that many in Canmore rely on as a vital service.
Joshua F. Smith,
Canmore
