VICTORIA B.C. – “If we are striving to be a province leading the way into the 21st century, we need to support innovation and new technology,” said Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head.
“It is a complete contradiction for a government that purports to want to position itself as a leader in the growing creative and digital economy to be so far behind other jurisdictions in introducing ride-hailing or transport network companies into our economy,” said Matt Toner, B.C. Green Party Deputy Leader and Critic for Finance and the New Economy. “Earlier this year, no fewer than twenty-two local tech CEOs called on the B.C. Liberal government to re-introduce ride-hailing in Vancouver. They know all too well that growing this sector of our economy means embracing innovation and new ideas. It's time we had a government - and an opposition - that followed their lead.”
“Ride-hailing is a key component of the new and emerging creative economy in British Columbia,” said Weaver. “In April, I tabled the Rideshare Enabling Act, 2016 which was aimed at ensuring British Columbians remained at the forefront of innovation in the technology sector. Legislation is needed to provide provincial standards that must be followed for any transport network companies to exist in our province. My bill detailed the process by which they can operate in British Columbia and illustrated that it is possible to do this right - and faster than it is currently happening.”
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Media contacts
For Matt Toner
Stefan Jonsson, Director of Communications
+1 888-473-3686 ext. 3 | [email protected]
For Andrew Weaver
Mat Wright, Press Secretary, Office of Andrew Weaver, MLA
+1 250-216-3382 | [email protected]
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