January 26, 1999
To:Emergency and Protective Services Committee
From:Commissioner, Urban Planning and Development Services
Subject:Schedule of Taxicab Inspections
Purpose:
At its meeting of November 3, 1998 Emergency and Protective Services Committee had for
its consideration communications from Mr. Gene MacDonald and Mr. Stan Steiner regarding
the schedule of inspections for taxicabs. Committee referred this matter to the Commissioner
of Urban Planning and Development Services for a report thereon to Committee.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial impacts; the $30.00 fee covers the cost of photocopying the schedule.
Recommendation:
That Toronto Licensing continue to notify Taxicab owners only of the time and date of the
scheduled vehicle inspections; that requests for re-scheduling be discussed only with the
taxicab owner and that the complete schedule of taxicab inspections be made available upon
request at a cost of $30.00 per inspection schedule.
Background:
As an initiative to cause taxicab owners to be more involved with the operation of their
taxicab, in June 1997 the Metropolitan Licensing Commission decided that the information
regarding scheduled vehicle inspections would be provided to taxicab owners only. Prior to
this decision interested parties were able to purchase a complete schedule of taxicab
inspections, times and dates. In September 1997, the Metropolitan Licensing Commission was
then approached to permit taxicab owners to use their designated agents address rather than
their own address and again the Commission restated their concern that the taxicab owner be
directly involved with the operation of their vehicle including the mechanical inspection and
the Commission refused the industry request. Subsequent to these decisions there were several
requests for the complete schedule of inspections including a request from Gene MacDonald
of Cab Connection. Cab Connection had been publishing a full schedule of inspection times
and dates. All requests for the schedule were refused.
In October 1998 Mr. MacDonald made a formal Freedom of Information request for the
schedule information. This request was rejected and to date we have not been advised on an
appeal of this decision. Until suitable By-law changes are implemented the Licensing
Commission is a separate institution for Freedom of Information purposes.
The Council decision of May 13 and 14, 1998 regarding the restructuring of the Licensing
Commission stated:
(11)the implementation of the restructuring with respect to policy matters and adjudicative
functions be phased-in as follows:
(a)effective immediately, all new licensing policy issues be forwarded to the Emergency and
Protective Services Committee for consideration;
(b)the current Licensing Commission continue to consider matters pertaining to the taxi
industry until the recommendations of the Task Force for Reform of the Taxi Industry are
considered by Council, after which such policy issues will be considered by the Emergency
and Protective Services Committee.
The final report of the Task Force was adopted by Council on November 25, 26 and 27, 1998.
Recommendation (14)(d) of the approved Task Force to Review the Taxi Industry report
states:
(d)all Standard License owners must participate in the industry by:
- personally attending all three annually scheduled
inspections;
- file annual documents in person at Toronto Licensing;
- attend all hearings relating to that owner's license or
vehicle in person
This recommendation reinforces the Commission's concern that taxicab owners maintain
control over the operation of their taxicabs. However, the Taxicab Task Force report not only
requires that the taxicab owner personally attend each mechanical inspection and file all
documents in person they must also participate in an annual refresher course that will
emphasize the need to be conscientious regarding all of their responsibilities under the
By-law. Committee may consider that the combination of these conditions will have sufficient
impact to effect the desired participation by the taxicab owner so that the restriction on the
availability of the schedule could be rescinded.
Toronto Licensing will continue to use the industry publications and the various licensing
mailings to advise owners and drivers of the implementation of the Task Force
recommendations and of changes to the Licensing By-laws.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Carol Ruddell-Foster, General Manager
Toronto Licensing Commission
392-3070
Reviewed by:
James RidgeVIRGINIA M. WEST
Executive DirectorCommissioner
Municipal Licensing and StandardsUrban Planning and Development Services