Uber will keep operating in Quebec after all

By Richard Deschamps

Published: October 13, 2017 at 3:12 PM

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 22: In this Photo Illustration, a phone displays the Uber ride-hailing app on September 22, 2017 in London, England. The Transport Regulator has announced that it will not re-new the company's licence to operate in London as it's current service is "not fit and proper". (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)Getty / Leon Neal

Uber will not disappear from Quebec this weekend, as the company had threatened.

In an email to CJAD 800, the company's Quebec general manager, Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, said the appointment of a new transport minister, André Fortin, gives it "an opportunity to establish a constructive dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution for riders and drivers in Quebec."

The ride-hailing service had threatened to end its Quebec operations on Saturday, upset with a couple of demands made by Quebec — forcing its drivers to undergo 35 hours of training, and having police, rather than private companies, to conduct background checks.

The statement from Guillemette, however, suggests those rules might not kick in for another few months, allowing time for the said "constructive dialogue" with the minister.

Statement from Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, GM for Uber Quebec:

“With the recent appointment of Minister André Fortin at the Ministry of Transport, we recognize that there is an opportunity to establish a constructive dialogue aimed at finding a lasting solution for riders and drivers in Quebec.

We’ve confirmed that the new training requirements that would impede our ability to operate do not have to be initiated for a few months, and we are committed to working with the government over this period.

In the meantime, we will continue to serve Quebecers.”