Today in the Legislature I rose to table, for the third time, a bill, now entitled Bill M203 — Rideshare Enabling and Increased Taxi Occupancy Act, 2017. This bill introduces a regulatory framework that would allow ride-sharing to come to British Columbia.

Shortly after introducing the Bill, I rose in Question Period to ask the Minister of Transportation why we can’t work simultaneously to regulate ride-sharing while updating legislation that pertains to the taxi industry.

Below I reproduce the video and text of the introduction, as well as the accompanying media release.

Video of Introduction

Text of Introduction

A. Weaver: I move that a bill intituled the Rideshare Enabling and Increased Taxi Occupancy Act, 2017, of which notice has been given, be introduced and read a first time now.

I am pleased to introduce a bill intituled Rideshare Enabling and Increased Taxi Occupancy Act for the third time. This bill introduces a regulatory framework that would allow ride-sharing to come to British Columbia.

Our economy is changing, and ride-sharing is but one example of that change. As legislators, we cannot bury our heads in the sand and ignore this change. We must embrace it and ensure that it leads to the best outcomes possible for British Columbians.

Introducing ride-sharing into British Columbia is something that all three parties committed to do during the last election campaign. It’s time we fulfilled that promise collectively. In introducing this bill, I’m offering a way forward, one that lets us to grapple with the questions that this industry presents us with.

Mr. Speaker: The question is first reading of the bill.

Motion approved.

A. Weaver: I move that the bill be placed on the orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Bill M203, Rideshare Enabling and Increased Taxi Occupancy Act, 2017, introduced, read a first time and ordered to be placed on orders of the day for second reading at the next sitting of the House after today.

Media Release

Andrew Weaver introduces ride-hailing legislation for the third time

For immediate release
October 19, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, today introduced his Ridesharing Enabling Act for the third time. Weaver previously introduced the bill twice under the past B.C. Liberal government. The bill has been modified slightly from previous versions to enable ICBC to develop an insurance regime for ride-hailing, as well as some other minor modifications.

“Now that all three parties have agreed to bring ridesharing to B.C., it’s time we had a frank and substantive debate on the details of this issue,” Weaver said.

“In the five years since ride-hailing was first introduced to B.C., there has been much fear-mongering and politicization of this issue. The legislature should be a place where people can hear their elected representatives engage in substantive debate about the issues that matter to them. There is no better opportunity to do this than in a minority government where parties need to work together. I urge the B.C. NDP to call this bill forward for debate so that British Columbians can hear an open, transparent discussion on ridesharing from their MLAs.

“B.C. cannot be a leader in the creative economy unless it addresses emerging technologies head-on. Vancouver is the largest city in North America to not regulate this industry. Meanwhile, ride-hailing companies are operating without proper oversight, insurance or regulation.

“Disruptive technologies like ride-hailing have ramifications throughout many facets of society. Parties have rightly raised concerns about how ridesharing will impact existing businesses and public safety. But our job as leaders is to offer solutions. Let’s take this opportunity to do things differently be engaging in a substantive policy-based discussion about this issue that British Columbians have awaited for far too long.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

In response to today’s government announcement concerning ridesharing, I issued the media statement reproduced below.

I am very disappointed that the government will not keep its promise to bring ridesharing to British Columbians by the end of this year. As I note in my statement, the creative economy and innovation are the future of our province. We cannot be tech innovators if we’re not willing to embrace innovation.

Media Statement

Weaver statement on government’s ridesharing announcement
For immediate release
October 16, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green Party, responded to the government’s announcement that it anticipates it will bring legislative changes to enable ridesharing in Fall 2018.

“I am very disappointed that the government will not keep its promise to bring ridesharing to British Columbians by the end of this year,” said Weaver.

“It has been five years since ridesharing was first introduced into B.C. There have since been reports that ridesharing companies are operating without proper oversight, regulation and insurance. Further, all three parties agreed to bring in ridesharing in the last election and have now had significant time to consult stakeholders and assess the various ramifications of regulating this industry in British Columbia.

“The creative economy and innovation are the future of our province. We cannot be tech innovators if we’re not willing to embrace innovation. As new technologies emerge, government should proactively examine the evidence and openly debate the issue in a timely manner so that we do not fall behind the curve.

“On Thursday, for the third time, I will introduce legislation that will enable ridesharing to finally operate in a regulated fashion in B.C. I hope both parties will take this opportunity to engage in a substantive debate on the details of this issue so that we can move past rhetoric and vague statements and finally get to work delivering for British Columbians.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

Today we issued a statement calling for an independent inquiry into the management and construction of the Port Mann bridge. This was done in response to an investigative CBC report that appeared this morning.

Below I reproduce the statement.

Media Statement

B.C. Greens call for independent inquiry into Port Mann bridge management
For immediate release
September 7, 2017

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Andrew Weaver and Adam Olsen today called for an independent review of the Port Mann bridge spending in response to news that a CBC investigation uncovered allegations of at least $150 million in misspent funds.

“The allegations that at least $150 million of taxpayer money has been misspent by the Liberal government on this project are deeply troubling,” Weaver said.

“British Columbians deserve answers. A public inquiry into the management of this project must be conducted to determine whether taxpayer interests have been adequately protected.”

Yesterday, Olsen was appointed the B.C. Green caucus spokesperson for transportation.

“It is essential that major capital projects are providing the best value for money for British Columbians,” continued Olsen.

“Taxpayers deserve to know whether their money is being well managed. The allegations published today raise serious questions as to whether this was the case with the Port Mann bridge. We must ensure accountability and transparency so that transportation is managed in the most efficient means possible.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca

B.C. Green statement on government’s decision to order review of the George Massey Tunnel replacement options
For immediate release
September 6, 2017

VICTORIA, BC – Andrew Weaver, Leader of the B.C. Green Party and MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, and Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, issued the following statement today in response to the government’s announcement that it will conduct and independent review of options for the replacement of the George Massey Tunnel.

“I am glad that the government will review the options for this project,” said MLA Weaver. “In our Confidence and Supply Agreement, we agreed that transit and transportation infrastructure must be developed in cooperation with the Mayors’ Council in a way that reduces emissions, creates jobs and gets people home faster.”

MLA Olsen added, “This project is not part of the Mayor’s Council 10 year plan for regional transportation. It is essential that such costly and major projects be planned in an integrated fashion in cooperation with municipal officials so that we can meet the transportation needs of British Columbians in the most efficient and cost-effective way.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.c

I issued a statement today (reproduced below) on the BC Government’s announcement that ICBC rates would increase by about 8% for the average BC driver.

It is essential that we not take any options that would reduce rates off the table. The current system is overly litigious and adversarial. Payouts for minor bodily injuries have increased 365% since 2000. Every other public insurance system in Canada either limits certain types of claims or operates as a no-fault model. Option 4 in the Ernst and Young report projected that such a system would reduce vehicle premiums by $630, or 13.5%, by 2019.

Why are we fixated on talking about what we can do to mitigate rate INCREASES instead of focusing on how we can promote rate DECREASES?

Media Statement

Weaver statement on ICBC rate increases and audit
For immediate release
September 5, 2017

VICTORIA, B.C. – Andrew Weaver, leader of the B.C. Green caucus, responded to the announcement that the government will raise ICBC rates, turn on red light cameras and conduct a business audit of the Crown Corporation

“We already have an evidence-based, taxpayer-funded report with proposals for reforms,” Weaver said.

“While I am glad that the government has adopted the Ernst and Young report’s recommendation to turn on red light cameras, with ICBC in such a perilous financial situation, the time to implement changes is now.

“Furthermore, it is essential that we not take any options that would reduce rates off the table. The current system is overly litigious and adversarial. Payouts for minor bodily injuries have increased 365% since 2000. Every other public insurance system in Canada either limits certain types of claims or operates as a no-fault model. Option 4 in the Ernst and Young report projected that such a system would reduce vehicle premiums by $630, or 13.5%, by 2019.

“I concur with the Attorney General’s statement that ICBC’s abysmal financial standing is due to the unwillingness of the previous government to make tough choices. With this new government, there is an opportunity to do things differently. As the business audit of ICBC proceeds, the B.C. Green caucus will advocate for bold, evidence-based solutions that will ensure the best possible outcome for B.C. ratepayers.”

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Media contact
Jillian Oliver, Press Secretary
+1 778-650-0597 | jillian.oliver@leg.bc.ca