Who will answer for this mess?

If it proves nothing else, an Ontario Human Rights Tribunal hearing into allegations of systemic racism is surely final damning proof the City’s vaunted Amba sador program is a monstrous and devastating failure. So, who should pay for the City’s mistakes?

Human Rights hearing kicks off with procedural wrangling

by John Q. Duffy

An Ontario Human Rights Tribunal hearing into allegations that the City’s much-vaunted Ambassador taxi program is systemically racist has been temporarily put on hold.

The first scheduled day of this anticipated week-long hearing on Monday January 25th, proved to consist of the adjudicator hearing from both parties on what each requires of the other to simplify, clarify and speed up testimony, while ensuring all relevant information is presented without duplication or the introduction of testimony that is irrelevant to the issues being decided.

Then the hearing was adjourned to a date to be set.

This extra time allows both parties to fulfill the others’ requests.

Both parties had issues with the other’s cases and witnesses as proposed to date, and both parties agreed to narrow and clarify their cases and what they expect witnesses to say.

As well, agreement on further disclosure of evidence was reached as well as on clarifying the qualifications of witnesses to speak as experts on different aspects of the case.

After a late start, the first day of the process, lasting approximately three hours of actual hearing time, was essentially devoted to resolving these procedural questions and developing a case management strategy under the direction of the OHRT adjudicator Leslie Reaume MORE

Addai case lays bare industry’s deep divisions
– and worst fears

by Mike Beggs

Where, if anywhere, will the Asafo Addai case take the Toronto taxi industry?

While it’s commencing at a snail’s space, his Human Rights Commission hearing – alleging that, “the City’s provision of second-class licenses to him and the 1,402 other holders of Ambassador licenses is discrimination on the basis of race, colour, and ethnic origin” – is loaded with potentially damaging ramifications.

Supported by the iTaxiworkers, he deems the Ambassador program, “a failure, a fraud, and a racist policy”, that failed to follow through on its’ promise of creating better working conditions for drivers. He’s seeking to have the courts declare all Ambassador licenses be turned into Standard plates.

Should he succeed, several industry talking heads note this would flood the market at a time when they can least afford it. Suddenly, these 1,403 cars would be on the road 24x7 with two drivers, dividing the existing pie even further amongst struggling cabbies.

“They put another 1,400-plus drivers on the road and it becomes a horror story,” says Lucky 7 Taxi owner Lawrence Eisenberg. MORE

Could Toronto taxis lose pick-up rights at Island Airport?

by Mike Beggs

With air traffic volumes projected to increase in 2010 – perhaps by as much as 75 per cent -- the Toronto Island Airport remains a political hot potato.

The airport’s lone commercial carrier since 2006, Porter Airlines is poised to hike its’ average daily take-offs and landings from 110, to 120.

And citing a number of informal proposals, from Canadian and major U.S. airlines interested in flying out of the Island, and backed by the results of an updated noise impact study and capacity assessment, the Toronto Port Authority (TPA) has announced that between 42 and 92 flights per day could be added in the coming year.

In a December press release, the TPA deemed the Island Airport – recently renamed the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA) – “an attractive facility for passengers and carriers, alike.” It will now solicit formal bids for these additional “slots”.

“Our objective is to increase and diversify the number of destinations serviced by the airport,” stated chief executive officer Geoff Wilson. “There are many attractive short haul destinations that are still not served by the BBTCA.”

The news has stirred up further animosity among Toronto Island residents’ groups, who say the number of flights out of the airport is capped under the existing Tripartite Agreement.

But while noise levels, air pollution, and a long-discussed bridge are sure to be the primary sticking points, a battle may also be brewing over the issue of taxi and limo pickup rights at the Island Airport.

Several Toronto cab industry leaders fear Greater Toronto Airports Authority-licensed limo drivers serving Pearson International Airport will now attempt to stake their claim on this lucrative new revenue base. This comes after three decades of watching them siphon off pricey Pearson runs from downtown Toronto hotels, thanks to an “airport exemption” in the provincial statutes. MORE