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VICTORIA — B.C. Green leader Andrew Weaver, whose support keeps the NDP government in power, expressed bewilderment Thursday that Premier John Horgan won’t back his bill to allow services such as Uber and Lyft.

Weaver tabled legislation for a third time that would set up an insurance and registration system for ride-hailing, including mandatory background checks and vehicle inspections. His attempts were twice rejected by the previous Liberal government, and the NDP government has already signalled that it too will likely let the Green bill die.

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“Our economy is changing, and ride-sharing is but one example of that change,” Weaver told the legislature. “As legislators, we cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore this change.”

He said the three parties in the legislature committed to ride-hailing during the last election. “It’s time we fulfilled that promise collectively. In introducing this bill, I’m offering a way forward, one that lets us to grapple with the questions that this industry presents us with.”

Under Weaver’s proposed legislation, companies like Uber and Lyft would not be able to pick up street hails, but only accept electronic payments. The bill would also allow the Insurance Corp. of B.C. to develop a pay-per-use insurance system for ride-hailing drivers.

Weaver said he’s asked Horgan to call his bill for debate, at least to start a public discussion over how B.C. could catch up to provinces and countries already embracing new technology in which smartphone apps are used to connect with drivers who want to sell rides using their personal vehicles. The delay has left some small-scale ride-hailing companies operating unregulated in Vancouver, said Weaver.

“I suggested to the government this is healthy in a democracy to debate bills,” said Weaver. “I think the premier wants this to happen. I don’t understand the resistance.”