The Province of BC is seeking feedback from the public on ride-hailing services (Uber, Lyft etc.) within BC.

Background

• In 2019, BC put a framework in place to enable ride-hailing.
• In 2023/24, a Special Committee to Review Passenger Directed Vehicles made recommendations related to items such as vehicle supply, safety, employment, environmental impacts, and service to rural and remote communities. On November 16th, 2023, DABC made a presentation to the Special Committee. DABC’s Cynthia Minh identified numerous issues that people with disabilities often face when accessing passenger directed vehicles, and made seven recommendations that could help address the issues identified. You can find full information here.
• Additionally, Lower Mainland resident Martin Bauer complained to the BC Human Rights Tribunal that Uber’s lack of wheelchair accessibility was discriminatory under BC’s Human Rights Code. On March 1^st, 2024, the Tribunal ordered Uber to pay Mr. Bauer $35,000 and offer accessible rides in the Lower Mainland within the next 12 months.

Consultation Process

The Province’s current consultation process on ride-hailing focuses on understanding policy issues related specifically to legislation and regulation. The Ministry is also working to respond to program-related recommendations of the Special Committee.

The Province is committed to adjusting the current ride-hailing framework and making targeted improvements to optimize the way it functions.

As part of this consultation process, the Province would like your answer to the following questions. If you’d like to help shape the way the ride-hailing framework will look in future, please submit your answers to the questions below to PDVEngagement@gov.bc.ca.

If you would like to submit your answers anonymously, you are welcome to share them to DABC at feedback@dabc.ca, and we will ensure that your answers are shared with the Province without your personal information. If so, please include “ride-hailing services” in the subject line of your email.

Questions

1. Provision of taxi number
   • Can you help us understand if/how receiving a taxi identification number at time of booking would improve user experience?
2. Taxi Bill of Rights
   
   • Are you aware of the Taxi Bill of Rights program and associated complaint mechanisms, and do you have any experience with them?
3. Funding programs
   
   • What opportunities do you see where financial support would improve accessibility in the taxi and ride hail sector?
   • Are there other transportation services beyond the taxi and ride hail sector where the province should consider directing accessibility funding?

Elections Canada has shared with DABC several resources which help ensure that all voters, including people with disabilities, have access to clear, accessible, and reliable information about voting in the upcoming federal election.

Download/view these resources below:

General Voting Information:

– Ways to register to vote in a federal election
– Have your ID ready to vote
– Have your ID ready to vote (details)
– Voter’s checklist
– Want to vote by mail
– Voting at your assigned polling station
– Get ready to vote
– How to find the list of candidates running in your riding
– Ways you can vote in the federal election

Accessibility Resources:

– Voting assistance tools and services on election day
– Folding the ballot
– Ballot
– Video: Accessible Polling Stations
– Video: Voting Assistance Tools and Services

You can also find a summary of key dates here: Elections Canada

The Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction is looking to fill two vacancies on the Provincial Accessibility Committee (PAC). The role of the PAC is to give advice on accessibility to government.

Recruitment is now open and you can find comprehensive details about the role in the Notice of Position. The application deadline is Monday, April 21, 2025. The Minister is also looking to build an eligibility list for future vacancies on the committee.