Uber says it is hoping to compromise with the Quebec government.
Despite threats it might leave the province over Bill 100, the car sharing app said Monday it wants to stay in Quebec. The proposed law would force Uber drivers to buy permits or face stiff fines and have their cars seized.
Uber admits it may have had the wrong approach until now, but is still calling for adaptations to the proposed bill.
At the root of the issue is the idea that Uber claims paying for a seat in a vehicle driven by one of its contractor-employees is different from the service offered by a traditional taxi.
Taxis are required to pay for permits that can cost $200,000 each, as well as a special licence and for insurance. They must also pay taxes.
Uber is willing to compromise on paying sales taxes for drivers who earn $30,000 a year or less. Typically, any independent worker earning less than $30,000 is not required to pay HSTT and QST.
“If the government wants to change the law about the independent contractor, that they have $30,000 in exemption and they want us to pay HST and QST from the first dollar, we are willing to do it and we will do it. We will adapt our model,” said Uber Quebec general manager Jean-Nicolas Guillemette.
There are 8,000 Uber drivers in Quebec - most of them part-timers and many of them retired or students.
