Quebec's Uber bill too harsh or about time?

After months of lobbying by the taxi industry and the online transportationserviceUber, QuebecTransport Minister JacquesDaoustfinally unveiled a bill to regulate ride-hailing servicesin the province on Thursday.

IfDaoust's bill gets passed,it will force UberX drivers to take out a taxi permitor risk fines up to $25,000.

The issue of whetherto regulate ride-hailingservices such asUberhas prompted passionate debate among Montrealers formonths.Today was no different.

The Twitterverse appearedunited in itsfrustration with the bill, which many worry could force Uber to shut down its Quebec operation.

Some Twitter users wondered why Quebec couldn't follow the precedent set in other jurisdictions, where UberX drivers operate with fewer restrictions.

Others complained the government was bending to the will of the taxi industry, instead of voters.

Facebook users keener on bill

On Facebook, however, the government's bill received more favourable reviews.