B.C. Greens pass major amendment to government’s ride-hailing legislation

The amendment changes the way the PTB applies its three part test when it is approving an application. The new language ensures that the board can consider the three components more dynamically, factoring in the reality that ride-hailing presents a new business model for the passenger directed vehicle industry. This change doesn’t require the PTB to change its practices immediately, but ensures that as new policy direction is given, it has the legislative flexibility to ensure it can embrace innovation while maintaining its role as a regulator.

“Although regulating ride-hailing through the PTB is not the approach we would have taken had we been in government, as an opposition party our job is to improve legislation and find a path forward to deliver on our priorities.

“Our goal is to strike the right balance between our responsibility to ensure public safety, a fair playing field for business and delivering on our promise to make ride-hailing available for British Columbians. Our view is that the government’s approach was excessively prohibitive, while the B.C. Liberals were in favour of almost complete deregulation. Other jurisdictions with lax ride-hailing regimes have experienced issues and it’s important that we learn from their experiences. I believe this amendment, as well as the agreement by the Minister to amend the terms of reference for the legislative committee that will recommend regulations to include licensing requirements, are positive steps towards a fair and balanced ride-hailing regime."

Olsen also noted that much work remains to be done in the legislative committee that will recommend ride-hailing regulations to government.