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Edmonton became the first city in Canada to pass an Uber-friendly bylaw Wednesday, leaving the California-based company scrambling to get provincially approved insurance before a March 1 deadline.

“I’m optimistic on the insurance front and quite frankly, we’re going to be doing everything we can to be in compliance by March 1,” said Uber’s general manager for Alberta, Ramit Kar.

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He wouldn’t say what will happen if the company isn’t.

Alberta’s Superintendent of Insurance ruled last July that Uber’s existing policy does not adequately cover consumers. Since then, at least two insurers have said they are working on policies specific to ride-sharing. None has been approved so far.

Uber can’t get a licence under the new bylaw without provincially approved insurance, and an Uber driver caught without it could face a $5,000 fine.

Edmonton officials are hiring additional bylaw officers to ensure effective enforcement and say the the new bylaw will stand up in court if the city is forced to seek an injunction.