In a landmark decision, a Quebec judge has ordered the provincial government to pay $143 million to taxi drivers in compensation for the devaluation of their permits.
The ruling, made by Superior Court Justice Chantal Masse, comes after years of legal battles between the government and taxi drivers over the impact of ride-sharing services such as Uber on the taxi industry.
The judge found that the government’s decision to allow ride-sharing services to operate without the same regulations and fees as traditional taxis had caused a significant decrease in the value of taxi permits. This, in turn, had resulted in financial losses for taxi drivers who had invested in these permits as a means of making a living.
The $143 million payout will be divided among approximately 5,000 taxi drivers who were part of the class-action lawsuit against the government. The amount each driver will receive will depend on the number of permits they own and the length of time they have been in the industry.
The ruling has been hailed as a historic victory for taxi drivers, who have long argued that the government’s actions have unfairly disadvantaged them and put their livelihoods at risk. The decision also sends a strong message to the government that it must consider the impact of its policies on all stakeholders, including those in the taxi industry.
The government has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the ruling, but it has been ordered to pay the compensation within 60 days. This decision could have significant implications for other provinces and countries facing similar legal challenges from taxi drivers.
In response to the ruling, the Quebec Taxi Council, which represents taxi drivers in the province, has called for the government to take immediate action to regulate ride-sharing services and level the playing field for all drivers.
This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over the future of the taxi industry and the role of ride-sharing services. It remains to be seen how the government will respond and what impact this ruling will have on the industry as a whole.
