Item - 2011.LS4.7

Tracking Status

This item was considered by Licensing and Standards Committee on May 31, 2011 and was adopted with amendments.

LS4.7 - Comprehensive Reform of the City's Taxi Licensing System

Decision Type:: ACTION

Status:: Amended

Wards:: All

Committee Decision

The Licensing and Standards Committee referred the item to the Executive Director, Municipal Licensing and Standards requesting that:

1. The Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards report to the September meeting of Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee outlining the proposed scope and format for public and stakeholder consultation in relation to comprehensive reform of the City's taxi licensing system, including a preliminary report and a summary of the major issues and challenges that will be addressed in the final report.

Origin

(May 9, 2011) Letter from Councillor Cesar Palacio, Chair, Licensing and Standards Committee

Summary

The time has come for comprehensive reform of the City's taxi licensing system.

In order to ensure that we bring forward a fair and equitable plan, I believe that we must first conduct extensive consultations and get the widest possible input from all the experts and those that will most directly be affected by these reforms.

Taxi drivers, Ambassador owners, standard plate owners, and passengers alike, all have a vested interest in the industry and must have their say to ensure that any action taken will be for the good of everyone within the industry.

The difficulties facing the industry are deeply rooted and will require innovative and effective solutions. The introduction of the Ambassador program in 1998 created a rift and the current two-tier taxi system which pits one group against the other and is one of the most pressing issues that needs to be addressed if we are to move forward in any meaningful way.

However, there are many important interests in the taxi industry that must be properly and formally consulted as part of any significant reform.

Background Information

(May 9, 2011) Letter from Councillor Cesar Palacio, Chair, Licensing and Standards Committee on the Comprehensive Reform of the City's Taxi Licensing System
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2011/ls/bgrd/backgroundfile-38377.pdf

Communications

(May 31, 2011) Submission from Gail Beck-Souter, General Manager, Beck Taxi (LS.New.LS4.7.1)
(May 31, 2011) Submission from Asafo Addai, Ian Allaby and Ian Outerbridge (LS.New.LS4.7.2)

Speakers

Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong
Councillor Janet Davis
Sajid Mughal, President, ITaxiworkers
Jacob Leibovitch, ITaxiworkers
Steve Anemi
Khalil Talke, ITaxiworkers
Gail Beck-Souter, General Manager Beck Taxi (Submission Filed)
Jafer Mirsalar
Constantinos Papalabropoulot
Mohammed Hakimzadah
Melese Bekele
Alden Channer
John Nunziata, Wheelchair Accessible Transit
Dr. James Cooper, Taxi Studies Institute, Edinburgh University
Councillor Mary Fragedakis
Councillor Josh Matlow

Motions

1 - Motion to Amend Motion moved by Councillor Chin Lee (Carried)

That the recommendation by Councillor Palacio be amended to read as follows:

"That the Executive Director of Municipal Licensing and Standards report to the September meeting of Municipal Licensing and Standards Committee outlining the proposed scope and format for public and stakeholder consultation in relation to comprehensive reform of the City's taxi licensing system, including a preliminary report and a summary of the major issues and challenges that will be addressed in the final report."

2 - Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Cesar Palacio (Carried)

Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) May-31-2011

Result: Carried	Majority Required
Total members that voted Yes: 4	Members that voted Yes are Glenn De Baeremaeker, Chin Lee, Cesar Palacio (Chair), Anthony Perruzza
Total members that voted No: 0	Members that voted No are
Total members that were Absent: 2	Members that were absent are Gloria Lindsay Luby, Frances Nunziata

Declared Interests

The following member(s) declared an interest:

Councillor Frances Nunziata - as her brother works with one of the taxi companies.