12.01°C Vancouver

Feb 1, 2020 12:50 AM -

Lower Mainland mayors, including Surrey, endorse regional ride hailing licence

Share On

Mayors in British Columbia's Lower Mainland have reached an agreement on an interim business licence for ride-hailing companies that want to operate in the region.

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, who has previously resisted the idea, threw his support behind the interim licence, saying it takes a major step forward in addressing the ``unfair advantage'' ride-hailing companies have over taxi businesses.

The mayors' council on regional transportation, made up of 23 mayors, endorsed the proposed bylaw covering Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and Squamish-Lillooet on Thursday, with the details released publicly on Friday.

The council urged municipalities to begin adopting the interim bylaw as soon as possible, which would be in place until a permanent regional licence can be developed.

The proposed bylaw would establish a single set of requirements for all participating municipalities, charging ride-hailing companies a $155 annual fee plus a $150 per-vehicle charge, which would be waived for accessible vehicles.

The fee would be set at $30 for zero-emissions vehicles.


Latest news

big-difference-in-the-number-of-extortion-cases-in-various-cities-in-the-lower-mainland
BCNov 08, 2025

Big difference in the number of extortion cases in various cities in the Lower Mainland

The number of extortion incidents occurring in B.C. in 2025 is staggering, and the number of arrests or charges in the cases is disappointing. Connect FM gathered data on extortion in several major jurisdictions in B.C.'s Lower Mainland. The number of extortion cases targeting businesses or people associated with the Indo-Canadian community in Surrey has reached 81 as of November 3 of this year. There were 42 extortion cases where shooting incidents took place. In this, information about the addition of 28 extortion files has come to light in the just month of October alone. Surrey Police Se
woman-dead-several-displaced-after-house-fire-in-mission
BCNov 07, 2025

Woman dead, several displaced after house fire in Mission

A woman has died and several people have been forced from their home following a house fire on Shaw Street in Mission earlier this week. Emergency crews were called to the rural property around 1:45 a.m. on November 6 after a neighbour reported flames coming from the home. When firefighters and RCMP officers arrived, the building was already fully engulfed. Once the fire was brought under control, investigators confirmed that an adult woman had been found dead inside the residence. A man was taken to hospital for smoke inhalation but has since been released. No other serious injuries were repo
b-c-sees-slight-job-decline-in-october-amid-u-s-tariff-uncertainty-says-minister
BCNov 07, 2025

B.C. sees slight job decline in October amid U.S. tariff uncertainty, says minister

British Columbia recorded a small drop in employment last month as global trade tensions and new U.S. tariffs added pressure to key sectors, according to the province’s jobs minister. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said Friday that the October Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada shows a decline of about 2,900 jobs in B.C., largely due to losses in construction and forestry. He linked those decreases to “unjustified” tariffs imposed by the United States, which he said have hurt workers and businesses across the province. Despite the monthly dip, Kahlon noted that
22-men-charged-in-quebec-child-exploitation-investigation
CanadaNov 07, 2025

22 men charged in Quebec child exploitation investigation

Quebec provincial police say 22 men have been arrested following a provincewide investigation into online child sexual exploitation. The suspects, aged 18 to 70, were taken into custody after a series of coordinated raids carried out earlier this week. According to the Sûreté du Québec, 20 of the accused have already appeared in court on charges that include possession, distribution and access of child sexual abuse material. The investigation was conducted between November 3 and 7, with more than 150 officers participating in searches across multiple cities, including Montreal, Quebec City,
canada-to-host-g7-foreign-ministers-meeting-in-niagara-with-india-among-invited-participants
CanadaNov 07, 2025

Canada to host G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Niagara, with India among invited participants

Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, has announced that foreign ministers from G7 member nations will gather in Niagara, Ontario, from November 11 to 12, 2025. The meeting will bring together representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Anand said Canada will also welcome ministers from several outreach countries, including Australia, Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, South Korea, South Africa, and Ukraine, as part of efforts to strengthen global cooperation on shared priorities. India’s External Affairs

Related News