Prospective taxi drivers will no longer have to pass an English language test after a vote by city councillors.

Brampton city council voted Nov. 23 to remove verbal and written tests after hearing from industry professionals who complained they are losing potential drivers to neighbouring municipalities like Toronto, where no such rule exists.

But not all city councillors were speaking the same language on the idea to scrap the licensing requirements, which sparked a heated discussion around the council table.

“I am here to debate on behalf of the public. I don’t expect another member of council to make derogatory comments about my views,” said regional Coun. Gael Miles, firing a verbal salvo at council colleague Martin Medeiros, who chastised some politicians for supporting the status quo.

Medeiros said the city “is forcing the industry to compete with one arm tied behind its back” by making the English test mandatory, and suggested the requirement discriminates against new immigrants “who have families to feed.”

“When I get into a taxicab I want the driver to be able to talk to me in English,” Miles responded. “You are giving instructions to the driver and if the driver can’t understand English then you are severely disadvantaged.”

Currently, the city administers a language test that includes a basic conservation between the tester and applicant who is expected to “demonstrate an ability to communicate with customers.”

However, taxi industry professionals have put pressure on the city to ease up on licensing regulations in the face of stiff competition from ride-share operations such as Uber and neighbouring municipalities.

Councillors heard from Milton Bangoo, of Kwik Kab, that he is increasingly losing potential drivers to Toronto where testing is not required.

Following a lengthy, and at times heated debate, council voted to amend the city’s licensing bylaw to eliminate the language test and include a provision “that taxicab drivers shall be able to communicate in English.”