Mass UberX protest by Montreal taxis sparks official calls to suspend app

Quebec Transport Minister Jacques Daoust and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre are calling for the suspension of UberX while a government committee examines how taxis and the popular app-based ride service can co-exist in the province.

The calls to suspend UberX come in the wake of a demonstration Wednesday that saw hundreds of taxis disrupt traffic at Montreal's Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.

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Daoustannounced the plan to create aparliamentary committee on the issue last weekin one of his first acts as Quebec's new transport minister.

Those hearings are set to begin later this month.

Daoustsaid Wednesday he considerstheUberX appillegal, and believes the government needs to come up with a permanent solutionthat ensures a level playing fieldfor taxi drivers.

"What we see is that when you don't need a taxi permit, when you don't need an inspection, of course you'll be able to offer a good price," he said.

The minister's call today for a suspension of UberXechoed a similar appeal byCoderre,who called for a truce while the committee conducts its inquiry.

"This is very emotional, and I think we need toaddress this in a moreserene way," the Montreal mayor said Wednesday.

"We need a truce. I think that's the point we're at. We need a truce while the committee does its work and during this periodUberXshould cease its activities."

Coderrehas also said he considersUberillegal.

Mayor accused of defending 'monopoly interests'

Ubersaid thecalls for a suspension of itsUberX serviceputthe interests of the taxi industry ahead of the service's350,000 customers and 8,000 drivers in Quebec.

It's the minister of transport and the premierthat are punishing people, not us. HassanKattoua, taxi driver

"It is unfortunate to see that once again Mayor Coderre [is] seeking to protect the monopoly interests of the taxi industry while overlooking the majority of Montrealers who have made clear their desire for safe, reliable and affordable transportation options," the company said.

Protest organizers declaredvictoryand ordered an end to the airport disruption.

BenitJugand, spokesman for theRegroupementdestravailleursautonomesmtallos (RTAM)said earlier in the daythe protest was provoked by theprovince'sfailureto meet the group's "simple demand"to haveUbercease operations while a parliamentary committee looks into the matter.

RTAMsaid 800 drivers and owners took part in the"blockade" of the airport.

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Instead of getting coverage for their Uber protest Montreal taxi drivers decide to blow their horns

As the protest unfolded, trafficflowin the area where travellers board taxis was brought to astandstill, with hundreds of taxis lined up bumper tobumper.

Montreal police had issued a release in advance of the protest,reminding taxi drivers that it is illegal to block access to airports.

Protesters encounteredaheavy police presence as they arrivedat the airport.

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No bridges or hospitals will be blocked

Union claims Uber operates at airport

At a news conference Wednesday morning,Jugandsaid the airport was being targeted becauseUberXdrivers are still picking up clients there despite a $2.5-million exclusive contract between taxi owners and the airport.

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The airport authority issued a clarification of the claim on Wednesday, saying the Uber app does not work at the terminal,and that it is in talks with Uberand the city's taxi bureau to ensure UberX drivers aren't taking clients to and fromthe airport.

"It's the minister of transport and the premierthat are punishing people, not us. We've shown a lot of restraint for the past two years," taxi driverHassanKattoua said.

"In Montreal, you cannot sell chewing gum if you don't pay the GSTand PST. How can a multi-billion-dollar company come and practise this tax evasion for the past two years and get unpunished. There's something weird going on."