A new attack on illegal cabs introduced at Queen's Park Wednesday includes steep fines, demerit points, and a 30-day vehicle impoundment.
Ottawa South Liberal MPP John Fraser introduced a Private Member's Bill that would provide municipalties more enforcement tools to crack down on illegal cabs including Uber.
"This legislation is about protecting passenger safety which is paramount," Fraser explained in a statement.
Under Fraser's bill, fines under the Highway Traffic Act would range from $500 to $30,000.
There's also a penalty of three demerit points, a 30-day license suspension and a 30-day vehicle impoundment for repeat offenders.
The City of Ottawa bylaw service has laid 28 charges against 15 Uber or unlicensed taxi drivers since early October.
The president of the local taxi union, Amrik Singh, welcomes the provincial crackdown.
"It's good news for taxi drivers and hard working people and good news for people who use taxis', Singh told CTV Ottawa.
Singh says unlike Uber, the taxi industry is licensed, includes safety features such as cameras in cabs, and requIres drivers to be trained.
Uber claims it is a technology company and therefore not subject to taxi regulations imposed by municipalities.
