Members of the taxi industry and the public are invited to attend scheduled consultation sessions that begin March 9. The schedule includes two limited sessions that are being held exclusively for taxi drivers who hold valid taxicab driver's licences.
The 2012 Toronto Taxicab Industry Review is intended to identify and resolve a number of industry issues.
“This review is a key priority for the City of Toronto this year," said Councillor Cesar Palacio (Ward 17 Davenport), Chair of Licensing and Standards Committee. "There are a number of very important issues we need to resolve within the industry, and I hope that as many people as possible will come out to be part of this process."
The consultation sessions are organized by topic, based on the input of more than 100 industry stakeholders who gathered in December to provide input.
Among the issues that stakeholders identified are licences and ownership; agents and leasing; brokerages; driver health, safety and livelihood; police; Municipal Licensing and Standards enforcement and inspection; and tourism and hospitality concerns.
Topic details for each consultation session are available at http://www.toronto.ca/taxireview.
Interested participants can attend as many of the consultations as they wish. Participants must register in advance for any of the consultations by emailing taxireview@toronto.ca or by leaving a voice message at 416-338-3095.
The taxi review will take place in three phases this year:
• Phase 1: Multiple Stakeholder and Public Consultations - March to May
• Phase 2: Research, Analysis and the Preliminary Report - May to September
• Phase 3: Final Report - September to December
There are many opportunities for all stakeholders and interested parties to get involved and provide input. Should someone not be able to attend the sessions, input can still be provided through the online comment form, or by emailing or phoning the review team.
It is anticipated that a staff report with recommendations will go before the Licensing and Standards Committee in the last quarter of 2012.
More information is available at http://www.toronto.ca/licensing.
