Uber began operating in Ottawa in 2014. It never sought or obtained a taxicab broker license, so its business model was illegal. The city of Ottawa (the “City”) chose not to prosecute Uber for two years. Then, it passed a new by-law creating a new class of license designed for Uber.
In Metro Taxi Ltd v City of Ottawa, 2024 ONSC 2725, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found the City liable to licensed taxicab operators for not enforcing its original by-law.
Metro Taxi suggests that there is a point at which government promises to support an industry by enforcing laws can become an actionable undertaking. This article summarizes the decision, and then provides some takeaways and unanswered questions.