Skip to Main content

28.26°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

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

CanadaJul 31, 2026

Indian student in Canada sentenced to four years in U.S. senior fraud scheme

A 22-year-old Indian national who was studying in Canada has been sentenced to four years in prison in the United States after being convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a multimillion-dollar fraud targeting seniors. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Roshan Shah entered the United States multiple times on a visitor visa while studying in Canada and collected approximately US$3.7 million from 15 elderly victims in several states. Authorities allege the scheme relied on callers based in India who falsely claimed the victims' identities had been linked to c

Swimmer dies after rescue from Okanagan Lake

A swimmer who was pulled from Okanagan Lake at Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna has died in hospital, marking the sixth drowning-related death in the lake over the past 40 days. According to police, the swimmer suffered a medical emergency while in the water on Wednesday. Bystanders brought the person ashore before emergency crews transported them to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition. The swimmer died in hospital the following day. RCMP Cpl. Steven Lang said investigators have found no evidence to suggest the incident is suspicious or criminal in nature. The B.C. Coroners Service is con

WorldJul 31, 2026

25 killed, 44 injured after passenger bus overturns in Algeria

At least 25 people were killed and 44 others injured after a passenger bus overturned in Algeria's Boomerdes province on Friday, according to the country's Civil Protection Agency. Officials said the injured were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment following the crash. Authorities have not released details on what caused the bus to overturn. Algerian Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb visited Boomerdes University Hospital to meet with those injured in the crash and assess the situation, according to officials. The cause of the crash has not been officially determined. Authorities said an inv

canadas-economy-grew-0-3-in-may-second-quarter-annualized-growth-estimated-at-3-4

CanadaJul 31, 2026

Canada's economy grew 0.3% in May, second-quarter annualized growth estimated at 3.4%

Canada's economy expanded by 0.3 per cent in May, exceeding market expectations of 0.1 per cent, according to data released Friday by Statistics Canada. The increase follows a 0.6 per cent gain recorded in April, marking a second consecutive month of economic growth. Statistics Canada said the latest figures point to an estimated annualized growth rate of 3.4 per cent for the second quarter of 2026. The estimate is preliminary and will be updated as additional data become available. According to the agency, growth in May was led by a 1.0 per cent increase in the mining, quarrying, and oil and

AlbertaJul 31, 2026

High River man charged with first-degree murder in woman's death

A 36-year-old High River man has been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a woman in what RCMP are investigating as a domestic homicide. According to High River RCMP, the victim has been identified as Cayla Bleeker. Police identified the accused as Jarrett Stobbe, 36. Both were residents of High River. RCMP said officers responded to two separate calls from a residence on 112 Street East on Tuesday. Police said Stobbe first contacted RCMP at about 6 p.m., making allegations against Bleeker that investigators later determined were unfounded. A second emergency call

Related News

Swimmer dies after rescue from Okanagan Lake

Swimmer dies after rescue from Okanagan Lake

A swimmer who was pulled from Okanagan Lake at Hot Sands Beach in Kelowna has died in hospital, marking the sixth drowning-related death in the lake over the past 40 days. According to police, the swimmer suffered a medical emergency while in the water on Wednesday. Bystanders brought the person ashore before emergency crews transported them to Kelowna General Hospital in critical condition. The swimmer died in hospital the following day. RCMP Cpl. Steven Lang said investigators have found no evidence to suggest the incident is suspicious or criminal in nature. The B.C. Coroners Service is con

North York trio sentenced in $1.3M stolen liquor trafficking case in Ontario

North York trio sentenced in $1.3M stolen liquor trafficking case in Ontario

Three North York residents have been sentenced for their roles in a stolen liquor trafficking operation involving more than $1.3 million worth of alcohol, according to Halton Regional Police. Police said 52-year-old Parminder Sidhu, 56-year-old Rajinder Kaur Sidhu and 25-year-old Navdeep Sidhu appeared in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto on July 8. The court imposed sentences ranging from probation to nearly two years in custody. According to Halton Regional Police, the convictions followed a four-month joint investigation conducted by Halton Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service

129 Wildfires Active Across B.C. as Brunswick Complex Fire Remains Out of Control

129 Wildfires Active Across B.C. as Brunswick Complex Fire Remains Out of Control

British Columbia's Minister of Forests and BC Wildfire Service, Ravi Parmar, says 129 wildfires are currently active across the province. According to the BC Wildfire Service, nine of those fires were discovered within the past 24 hours. Parmar said hot, dry conditions combined with strong winds continue to make firefighting efforts challenging. He said the weather is increasing the risk of new wildfire starts and could cause existing fires to grow. Fire crews are working to contain newly reported fires while continuing suppression efforts on incidents already burning. The minister said additi

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital