Schedule of Taxicab Inspections

The Emergency and Protective Services Committee:

(1)recommends the adoption of that portion of the recommendation of the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services contained in the following report dated January 26, 1999, viz:

"That Toronto Licensing continue to notify taxicab owners only of the time and date of the scheduled vehicle inspections, and that requests for rescheduling be discussed only with the taxicab owner."; and

(2)submits without recommendation that portion of the recommendation of the Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, viz:

"and that the complete schedule of taxicab inspections be made available upon request at a cost of $30.00 per inspection schedule.":

Purpose:

At its meeting of November 3, 1998, the 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. The 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 rescheduling 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 agent's 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 Mr. 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 City 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; and

(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:

"(14)(d)all Standard Licence owners must participate in the industry by:

-personally attending all three annually scheduled inspections;

-file annual documents in person at Toronto Licensing; and

-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. The 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

Tel: 392-3070

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The following persons appeared before the Emergency and Protective Services Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Mr. Jim Bell, Diamond Taxi;

-Mr. Ian Allaby;

-Mr. Gene MacDonald, Publisher, and Mr. Stan Steiner, Cab Connection; and submitted a brief in regard thereto;

-Mr. Robert A. Stewart; and

-Mr. Eugene Meikle.