Thanks to excessive government regulation, Uber is leaving another major market.
CBC News is reporting that the ride-sharing app will no longer operate in the province of Quebec. Citing “new and challenging” provincial regulations that stifle its ability to operate, Uber is quitting the Quebec market.
Here is what the state media outlet is reporting:
On Friday, Transport Minister Laurent Lessard agreed to renew a pilot project, implemented last year, that allows the ride-hailing company to operate in the province.
But that renewal comes with stricter conditions, including a requirement that drivers undergo 35 hours of training, 15 more than the previous requirement.
Traditional taxi drivers undergo 35 hours of training.
The government also wants Uber drivers to have criminal background checks done by police, instead of private companies that do them now.
The original pilot project was slated to end Oct. 14.
Akin to the London fiasco, the provincial government is bowing down to the special interests, many of which used coercion to get their way, like using taxi cabs to block city streets.
Guy Chevrette, spokesperson for the Quebec taxi coalition, accused the company of making “all their profits illegally.” Huh? Two parties engaged in a voluntary transaction, so how is that illegal?
Uber is providing an innovative free market solution to the crony cab companies. Unfortunately, the cronyists have been victorious in recent months, using the power of the state to get their way.
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