Uber To Remain In Quebec

Uber will stay in Quebec after new, stricter driver rules were introduced. The ride-hailing company had threatened to leave to quit the Canadian city after an announcement that drivers would be required to complete 35 hours of training and have background checks.

Now, rather than leaving, Uber will negotiate with the Quebec government over the new rules. Uber has operated in Quebec for the past year under a government-sanctioned pilot program, and that program was just renewed for another year with the stricter rules for driver training.

The Quebec government said it will not compromise on the rules, which call for background checks as well as more driver training. New drivers have eight weeks to complete their background checks, while existing drivers have two years.

Uber can always threaten to leave a market, as it did in Quebec. Particularly in cities with limited public transit, however, ride-hailing apps have quickly grown to become the default way many people get around. That was clearly demonstrated in Austin, Texas, when Uber and Lyft temporarily left the city due to regulations the two companies disagreed with.