Uber to Resume in Calgary December 6 2016

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by craigwd

If they are contractors how many don't pay tax on the income?

Why don't most servers pay tax on tips?

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Why don't most servers pay tax on tips?

For many servers it's cash being given directly to them. That's much more difficult to track.

With Uber, it would be bank transfers. There's definitely more of a paper trail.

I'm not saying this will cause Uber contractors to pay their taxes but it's more incentive to be honest with their earnings.

[Wormius]

So, curiously what are taxi drivers upset about? Wouldn't they themselves be better off if they just became Uber drivers and pocketed most of the money instead of the taxi companies?

I guess there is the issue of steady fares if you are trying to make a living.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Bunk

But if the City is requesting certain information to enable that change and the proponent does not, what are they supposed to do?

It doesn't seem as though they have asked for information, so much as set out a series of too-onerous-to-meet requirements.

Originally Posted by Bunk

Regardless of one's feelings on the taxi industry as it stands or what reform has or hasn't happened, where is Uber's responsibility in this situation related to ride-sharing services? The City can't force Uber to do what it needs to do.

So adapt what needs to be done to some sort of middle ground. This can't be that hard.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by calgaryblood

Even if they don't, Taxi drivers don't either or claim as little as possible. Which is why they hate when you pay by card.

I used to taxes for for a bunch of cab drivers in an old job. They'd claim next to no income until they suddenly wanted to sponsor someone to Canada, suddenly they'd be earning 10x what they earned in previous years.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

PS I just took a taxi home. It was the best taxi ride I think I've ever had. Cab was immaculate, driver was in a suit and whatever I asked of him (in terms of directions home basically) his response was "thank you sir". Wasn't listening to the radio, but asked me if I would like some music or the baseball game. Was quick and have nothing to complain about drive-wise. Tipped him like 30+% and well deserved.

FREE MARKET COMPETISHUN IS WORKIN U GUYZ!

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by KTrain

I'm not saying this will cause Uber contractors to pay their taxes but it's more incentive to be honest with their earnings.

Yeah I get the cash thing. Wasn't exactly a direct comparison, but I'm still doubting anyone claims it until RevCan cracks down on it.

They're not required to file as a business or incorporate or anything (as far as I know), so even with a paper trail it's still fairly under the radar. I highly doubt that anyone outside of a tiny tiny fraction of drivers actually claims taxes. Although I will laugh when people start trying to claim write offs for car use without claiming revenue...

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Wormius

So, curiously what are taxi drivers upset about? Wouldn't they themselves be better off if they just became Uber drivers and pocketed most of the money instead of the taxi companies?

You get more of the fare, but the driver now covers all vehicle expenses. Going by CRA standards, it's about 40-50c for every km traveled for a newish, typical vehicle.

And the fare is less to begin with.

[calf]

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

Yeah I get the cash thing. Wasn't exactly a direct comparison, but I'm still doubting anyone claims it until RevCan cracks down on it.

They're not required to file as a business or incorporate or anything (as far as I know), so even with a paper trail it's still fairly under the radar. I highly doubt that anyone outside of a tiny tiny fraction of drivers actually claims taxes. Although I will laugh when people start trying to claim write offs for car use without claiming revenue...

Unless CRA says "hey Uber, give us a list of your drivers".

Although if people are claiming expenses with no revenues, the CRA would catch that pretty quickly.

[DownhillGoat]

Originally Posted by calf

Unless CRA says "hey Uber, give us a list of your drivers".

Which I believe I covered here:

Originally Posted by kunkstyle

but I'm still doubting anyone claims it until RevCan cracks down on it.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by Bunk

seems very clear the City and the Mayor have been very open to enabling and the ball has been in Uber's court, no?

Bull####.

City Hall has done it's best to make this as long and painful as possible. And it's funny how far behind Calgary is even from our neighbours up north when it comes to the issue. Edmonton is drafting a bylaw as we speak, granted it's far from perfect, to make Uber legal. Meanwhile, Calgary is making sure that everyone knows it's illegal, doing everything it can to not let Uber enter the market all the while blaming Uber and in the case of Nenshi, calling them jerks.

And then Nenshi will cry about Shane Homes and the backdoor meetings...

[I-Hate-Hulse]

I'm finding it so hard to believe why so many people can't grasp the understanding that City Hall has NOTHING to do with the Insurance Industry. City Hall is just pointing out what so many have said - that the current insurance solutions do not cover ride sharing.

Here's the official verdict from the Superintendent of Insurance of Alberta has said on Uber:

WHAT HAPPENS IF A VEHICLE IS USED FOR RIDE SHARING AND IS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION?

Owners and Drivers
Owners and drivers participating in ride sharing services with Uber are at risk of not having access to coverage provided by the Automobile Policy, Section B- Accident Benefits. This section provides coverage mainly for medical expenses incurred due to a collision. Owners and drivers are at risk of having limited or no third party liability coverage to pay for a potential legal claim if the driver is responsible for a collision that causes injury or damage to a passenger, pedestrian, or other party. Owners and drivers are also at risk of not having access to collision coverage to fix any damage to the vehicle.
Owners and drivers participating in other ride sharing services may be at similar risk.

Passengers

In the event of a collision, passengers participating in Uber ride sharing services are at risk of not having access to coverage provided by the Automobile Policy, Section B Accident Benefits. This section provides coverage mainly for medical expenses incurred due to a collision. Passengers are also at risk of not being sufficiently compensated for injuries because of the owner’s and driver’s lack of third party liability coverage.
Passengers participating in other ride sharing services may be at similar risk.

and about Uber's supposed insurance coverage?

INSURANCE PROVIDED BY RIDE SHARING COMPANIES
Ride sharing companies, such as Uber and others, may claim to have supplemental insurance, over and above the private vehicle insurance of their drivers, to cover liability and property damage in the event of a loss.

The Superintendent of Insurance is of the view that Uber’s supplemental insurance does not currently meet the requirements of, nor is compliant with, Alberta’s Insurance Act and Regulations. Should any other ride sharing service operate in Alberta, the Superintendent of Insurance will review it for compliance with Alberta law.

Look. I frequently take cabs and hate them just as much as the rest of you. But is driving around without insurance as some sort of act of civil disobedience to prove a point worth it? I'm pretty sure the Alberta insurance industry will make their darnedest to publicize the first denial of a Uber related claim to publicize this fact.

If anything else - can you not see from the above link that that the Province of Alberta regulates the insurance requirements for Alberta, not City Hall?

Gives us all another reason to hate the NDP. (Thanks Rachel!)

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I'm finding it so hard to believe why so many people can't grasp the understanding that City Hall has NOTHING to do with the Insurance Industry.

Sure, and yet Edmonton is drafting up the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw as we speak.
http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licenc...ire-bylaw.aspx

It's quite the contrast to what is happening in Calgary, incidentally both cities are located in Alberta.

[4X4]

Originally Posted by I-Hate-Hulse

I'm finding it so hard to believe why so many people can't grasp the understanding that City Hall has NOTHING to do with the Insurance Industry. City Hall is just pointing out what so many have said - that the current insurance solutions do not cover ride sharing.

Here's the official verdict from the Superintendent of Insurance of Alberta has said on Uber:



and about Uber's supposed insurance coverage?



Look. I frequently take cabs and hate them just as much as the rest of you. But is driving around without insurance as some sort of act of civil disobedience to prove a point worth it? I'm pretty sure the Alberta insurance industry will make their darnedest to publicize the first denial of a Uber related claim to publicize this fact.

If anything else - can you not see from the above link that that the Province of Alberta regulates the insurance requirements for Alberta, not City Hall?

Gives us all another reason to hate the NDP. (Thanks Rachel!)

I'm finding it so hard to believe that anyone gives a F about why the City has a problem with an illegal service coming along to provide a service that the City is doing it's best to keep at a pathetically pathetic level.

I hope Intact white knights this endeavour, and the City and the taxi companies end up in a dirty, public scrap, and we all finally find out who is getting paid off to keep things the way they are.

[Clever_Iggy]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

PS I just took a taxi home. It was the best taxi ride I think I've ever had. Cab was immaculate, driver was in a suit and whatever I asked of him (in terms of directions home basically) his response was "thank you sir". Wasn't listening to the radio, but asked me if I would like some music or the baseball game. Was quick and have nothing to complain about drive-wise. Tipped him like 30+% and well deserved.

FREE MARKET COMPETISHUN IS WORKIN U GUYZ!

Frankly, I don't believe you. Even if I did, the exception isn't the rule. You likely found a rouge taxi driver. ;-)

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Wormius

So, curiously what are taxi drivers upset about? Wouldn't they themselves be better off if they just became Uber drivers and pocketed most of the money instead of the taxi companies?

I guess there is the issue of steady fares if you are trying to make a living.

There's also the matter of those $100k licenses they paid for.

[shogged]

I signed up to be a driver today, took about 20 minutes and included taking four photos of my documents and watching a short "how to" video. Gonna give it a shot when I get home from work and see what the earning potential is like. I was intrigued that the only vehicle requirements are 2005 and newer, and 4 doors.

When I was 18, a friend and I drove for Keys Please on some weekends and we had a great time making money helping people get home safe. I would expect this to be a similar experience at certain times of the day. Guess ill find out soon enough

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Sure, and yet Edmonton is drafting up the Vehicle for Hire Bylaw as we speak.
http://www.edmonton.ca/bylaws_licenc...ire-bylaw.aspx

Read your own link. Does it say anything about insurance? No. The Edmonton bylaw only speaks to matters it controls, not the insurance industry's lack of willingness to cover ride sharing

[4X4]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

There's also the matter of those $100k licenses they paid for.

I've wondered before if this is the real reason the City wont crack this issue open. Because maybe they've charged so much for livery licenses, that by changing the rules, they might be subject to a lawsuit. But then I wonder how come a new council doesn't come along and do it anyway, and just blame it on the last council.

I just can't believe that for my entire adult life, catching a cab has been so difficult.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Originally Posted by 4X4

I hope Intact white knights this endeavour, a

So do I. Get this properly insured and the #1 problem with Uber that's used to block it goes away. Not sure how (or if) Uber will validate this amongst it's drivers - as passengers will we have to ask for proof of insurance?

There's hope - overland flood became available to Canadians this year after enough pressure. I suspect some insurer will step up, albeit with higher premiums.