Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders acknowledged eight UberX drivers face provincial traffic charges but says, despite pleas from the taxi industry, no more will be charged until the courts rule.

“We are going to wait until the courts make the decision on the outcome of those cases,” Saunders said, noting the Highway Traffic Act charges were laid last March. The section forbids people from picking up passengers for compensation if they don’t have the license or authority to do so.

Saunders would not speculate on when the courts will rule, but dismissed suggestions Uber and taxi drivers will be in extended limbo.

He suggested he was unaware of the charges laid by his officers until meeting Friday afternoon with cab industry representatives and their lawyer. “My stance has shifted after meeting them in the sense that I’m anxious to see what the outcomes (of the charges) are,” he said.

The meeting was granted after Wednesday’s raucous anti-Uber protest that saw streets clogged with cabs and, during the evening rush hour, intersections blocked by cabbies on foot.

“I understand that the industry is very frustrated right now and there is a sense of urgency, which is being addressed,” the chief said, but added: “We’re guided by law.”

Sam Moini, president of the Fleet Operators Association, said they were told the chief drivers are desperate as they heed costly requirements for insurance and safety checks while Uber drivers, particularly UberX dabblers using private vehicles, take half or more of their business.

“We haven’t got a clear answer,” if the information they gave Saunders will see more Uber drivers charged, he said.

Sajid Mughal, president of iTaxiworkers Assocation, said Saunders told them he believed both UberX drivers and, their passengers were breaching parts of the Highway Traffic Act.

“Unfortunately that didn’t come out from the chief of police’s mouth (at the news conference) and we were disappointed,” Mughal said. “We are greatly disappointed … the chief did not tell the truth to the public that do not get a service.”

They will meet with other cab industry leaders to plan next steps, and wouldn’t say if another protest is coming.

Mughal blamed Wednesday’s impromptu traffic disruptions on Mayor John Tory, who was visible to the protesters at his desk in his city hall office during council breaks.

“He didn’t have the courage to come out and tell the industry ‘I understand the problem but we are working on it’ . . . that flared the fumes even more they said ‘We have this much disrespect by the mayor that he did not come out,’ and then this started, this blockage.”

During the rush-hour disruptions Tory agreed to meet with taxi drivers and arranged the sit-down with Saunders if they cleared the roads by 7:30 p.m., which they did.

Before Friday’s meeting, police spokesman Mark Pugash said Saunders has already made it clear to them that police do not have the necessary tools to handle UberX.

“This is not a question of the police not wanting to enforce,” Pugash said. “The police do not have the tools. The courts have made it very clear.”

“The law is not there to do what the taxi drivers want done,” Pugash said. “The courts’ view is that it’s a municipal licensing issue.”

City of Toronto bylaw inspectors have hit 104 UberX drivers with two charges each for breaching city rules on who can transport people for pay and a requirement for vehicle safety inspections. However, staff acknowledge that is less than a drop in the bucket.

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A cabbie who struck a police officer on a bicycle faces a series of criminal code and municipal charges, including distracted driving involving the use of a phone, failing to stop at the scene of an accident and dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

Susie Heath, a spokeswoman for Uber, released a statement about the protest Thursday.

“It’s unfortunate that yesterday’s events caused such disruption to our city, particularly for commuters, paramedics and police officers. For our part, we hope that we can continue to move forward with all parties involved as we work with the mayor and city officials to update regulations that are in the best interest of Toronto’s riders and drivers.”

With files from David Rider

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