TORONTO

Mayor-elect John Tory doesn’t seem to support the City of Toronto’s push to slam the brakes on Uber Canada Inc.

Tracey Cook, executive director of the city’s municipal licensing and standards, announced Tuesday that the city has filed notice it will seek a court injunction against Uber to halt all of the company’s operations in Toronto.

The city alleges the company — that offers apps that help connect paying riders with drivers — is operating without a proper taxicab brokerage licence or limousine brokerage licence.

“The city is concerned that Uber poses a serious risk to the public including those who are signing on as drivers,” Cook said in a press conference at City Hall. “Uber is jeopardizing public safety.”

Cook said the city is asking that a court hear the injunction application quickly.

Uber has been operating in Toronto since 2012 and the city has initiated 36 charges against it over the last two years.

“They’ve been operating illegally,” Cook claimed. “We’ve had discussions with Uber to become licensed and to comply with our bylaws. They have failed to do so.”

Cook said the Uber X service launched in September recruits drivers that are untrained and not properly licensed. She alleged Uber X drivers are “operating uninspected vehicles and not properly insured vehicles.”

Hours after the city announcement, Tory issued a statement appearing to side with Uber.

“Uber, and services like it, are here to stay,” Tory stated. “It is time our regulatory system got in line with evolving consumer demands in the 21st century.

“As mayor, I intend to see that it does, while being fair to all parties, respecting the law and public safety.”

In a statement, Uber said it was “disappointing that city bureaucrats have deployed expensive legal tactics to attempt to halt progress, limit consumer choice and force a broken transportation model on the public.

“We look forward to sitting down with the city and working to find a common sense approach to regulations that promote public safety and create a permanent home for Uber in Toronto,” the statement said.

Uber said Toronto residents have taken to the company “in droves.

“Because it offers something better than what bureaucrats and the taxi cartel have provided to date,” the company stated.

“Uber has been an integral part of city life and transportation solutions in Toronto for over two years, helping create a modern city, thousands of jobs and driving innovation.

“With Uber, Torontonians have enjoyed real competition and greater choice. We offer safe, reliable, environmentally-friendly and affordable transportation options that are designed for what consumers want today.”

don.peat@sunmedia.ca

City of Toronto vs. Uber