Stealthy undercover bylaw officers busted two Uber drivers this weekend kicking off a battle of wills between the two sides.

The city had warned Uber that they would conduct clandestine operations to test the “technology company.”

Each driver was ticketed Saturday and fined $650 for operating a taxi without a licence, the city confirmed Sunday.

Uber spokeswoman Lauren Altmin confirmed tickets were issued but added Uber is “standing behind the drivers.”

“We have received word that a partner has encountered a fine, however, we don’t believe Ottawa citizens should be threatened or penalized for providing a safe and reliable ride to their fellow Ottawans. If any of our partners encounters an issue as a result of their partnership with Uber, we stand by them fully,” Altmin said in a statement.

And she added the enforcement does nothing but protect the taxi industry.

“Costly sting operations, that seek to protect a monopoly that has remained unchanged for decades only hurts the consumers that have been asking for expanded transportation choices,” Altmin told the Sun.

If Uber accepts payment for rides, the city considers it a taxi service, and if you’re a taxi service in Ottawa, you need to have a municipal licence.

On Sunday Uber Ottawa announced through Twitter that it’s extending its free ride program until further notice.

UPDATE: We're excited to announce that we're *extending* our offering of FREE uberX rides! http://t.co/fa8W36HWcH#UberOttawa — Uber Ottawa (@Uber_Ottawa) October 5, 2014

But these extended free rides were always part of Uber’s plan, said Altmin, and the extension has been standard practice for the company when they launch in new cities following a “tremendous consumer response.”

“In Ottawa, we’ve seen such an amazing and tremendous response from the citizens and it’s great to see that people from all across the province and Ottawa are truly embracing the Uber model and we look forward to that continuing,” said Altmin.

According to Susan Jones, general manager of emergency and protective services at the city, bylaw will continue to investigate “as long as there is a need for an investigation.”

75 minutes. 5 calls. No cab. Tonight I see the need for more competition with @Uber // @Uber_Ottawa#ottcity — John Baird (@HonJohnBaird) October 5, 2014

Late Saturday night Ottawa-West Nepean MP John Baird waded into the debate.

He tweeted out his support for Uber saying he waited 75 minutes for a cab. He also called the cab company five times.

“Tonight I see the need for competition (in Ottawa) with @Uber,” Baird, Canada’s foreign affairs minister tweeted.

When asked about Baird’s tweet, Jones was unable to give comment and was only able to discuss the bylaw charges.

“At this point regulations have been allegedly violated which is why charges were laid,” said Jones.

Twitter: @jonathanwilling