Quebec government strikes deal to allow Uber to keep operating

The Quebec government and ride-hailing service Uber have struck a deal.

The government will amend Bill 100, the proposed law aimed at regulatingUber, to delayimplementation of certain clausesby 90 days.

During that time, Uber and the government will work out the details of a pilot project that would test ways the ride-hailing service could conform with Quebec taxi laws.

"We want to give ourselves a chance to be innovative and to face up to this reality of the21stcentury," said Transport Minister Jacques Daoust.

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The type of permitUberdrivers will need to operate in the province is one ofthe issues to be worked out in the pilot projectphase.

Bill 100, unamended, wouldforce UberX drivers to take out a taxi permitor risk fines up to $25,000.

Uber has proposedthe creation and purchase of special ride-sharing permits for its UberX drivers,distinct from the permits that taxi driversrequire to work in Quebec.

Deal buys allsides extra time

The amendment will ensure thebill's provisions won't come into effect until 90 days after it's passedin order to give the two sides time to come to an agreement.

Bill 100 was introduced in May and was seen as an attempt to crack down on Uber.

But the legislation wasn't universally popular;Daoust attracted criticism from members of his own party over the plan.

The Quebec Liberal Party's youth wing, which criticized the proposedlaw, applaudedthe decision to create the pilot project Tuesday.

Bill may become law this week

In a statement, the head of Uber in Quebec,Jean-Nicolas Guillemette,commended the government on its "openness and engagement" in amending the bill, adding the company is confident a "fair compromise for all players" will be reached.

Daoust said when discussions about the future ofUberin Quebec began, the company wasn't "respectful," and that it hasonly recently agreed to negotiate, necessitating the extra time in order to come to a permanent solution.

Guillemettesaid the "evolution of [Uber's] approach in the last few weeks is proof of our deep desire to serve Quebecers."

Still technically illegal, taxi drivers say

BenotJugand, thespokesman for RTAM-Mtallos, theunion representing thousands of Montreal's taxi drivers, saidhe's all for finding a compromise.

But he said sinceUber is still technically operating illegally, the company should cease operations until anagreement about how it would functionis reached.

Daoustsaid he believes the bill can be passed this week, pointing out the only holdout is theCoalitionAvenirQubec.

In a statement, the CAQ claimed victory, saying the party's hard work contributed to the government's decision to amend the bill.

It said it's still in the process to studying the bill.

Parti Qubcois transport critic Martine Ouellet said the party wants to see Uber pay backtaxes for the two years it's been operating in Quebec.

Daoust said the parts of the billdealing with cyclist safetywill come into effect as soon as the law is passed.