A Laval woman is at odds with a taxi company over a communication breakdown.

Caron Fehsl said a taxi driver refused to serve her because she didn't speak French.

Taxi Coop Laval said it was simply a misunderstanding.

“I've never really had to rely on public transportation or a cab,” said Fehsl, who on Friday called for a taxi.

Fehsl was on crutches because she recently broke her ankle, and needed a quick transportation option after her boyfriend was sent to hospital.

“(The driver) asked me if I spoke French and I said no. He said to me that he didn't speak very good English,” she said, adding that the driver knew the destination.


Fehsl, however, wanted to clarify approximately how much the trip would cost. She had to call the dispatcher to translate.

“After they spoke and the dispatcher told me that he was very sorry, that this driver wasn't representing their company very well, but that he was refusing to take me because I didn't speak French,” said claims.

Taxi Coop Laval offered to send another cab, but she refused.

“I got out of the car and was crying and he just got in his car and drove away,” she said.

Management at Taxi Coop Laval said all of their drivers speak at least some English, and that 25 per cent of their clientele are Anglophone. Their dispatchers are fluently bilingual, with many speaking a third language such as Japanese or Spanish.

General Manager Norman Cormier said they just wanted to give her better service in English.

“I’d prefer to send another car because it's better for the customer,” he said.

There was also a miscommunication about the fee.

“They asked the driver first if he wanted to do a flat rate, and he refused, but then the dispatch asked if she wanted to get another cab,” said administrator Emile Elkorm.

Their drivers are independent, and flat rates are charged at their own discretion.

Taxi drivers in Quebec are not required to speak English.

“Basically, we have a very good service. We're in Chomedey and in Chomedey there are a lot of cabs. It wouldn't even take 4 or 5 minutes to get her another cab,” he said, adding that it's simply an unfortunate incident, and they were just trying to make her happy.

Fehsl feels the driver shouldn't have let language get in the way of helping her.

“I've travelled all over the world to many different countries where there is a huge language barrier, but you point to an address and that's where you end up,” she said.