Item - 2023.CC13.7

That:

1. City Council rescind part 20 adopted as part of Item EC6.6 at its meeting of October 11 and 12, 2023, which adopted a policy to maintain the net total of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver's licences at a number no greater than the number as of October 12, 2023, with the exception of owned but not leased zero-emission vehicles, and direct the Executive director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to resume issuing vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver licences under the previous system and direct the City Manager to report to a meeting of the Executive Committee, that reports to the March 20, 2024 meeting of City Council, so the public may participate and Council may consider his advice and any public or stakeholder input, on options to limit the number of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver licences, including advice on whether it is appropriate to exempt zero emission vehicles and taking into consideration congestion, climate targets, public transit, and transportation planning, and measures the City may take if Council imposes a cap at a number less than the number of existing licences at the time Council decides.

That City Council direct that Confidential Attachment 1 remain confidential in its entirety as it contains advice that is subject to solicitor-client and litigation privilege.

That City Council amend Motion 1 by Mayor Olivia Chow so it now reads as follows:

1. City Council rescind part 20 adopted as part of Item EC6.6 at its meeting of October 11 and 12, 2023, which adopted a policy to maintain the net total of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver's licences at a number no greater than the number as of October 12, 2023, with the exception of owned but not leased zero-emission vehicles, and direct the Executive director, Municipal Licensing and Standards, to resume issuing vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver licences under the previous system and direct the City Manager to report to a meeting of the Executive Committee, that reports to the March 20, 2024 meeting of City Council include in the planned fourth quarter 2024 report back on the vehicle-for-hire industry, so the public may participate and Council may consider his advice and any public or stakeholder input, on options to limit the number of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation company driver licences, including advice on whether it is appropriate to exempt zero emission vehicles and taking into consideration congestion, climate targets, public transit, and transportation planning, and measures the City may take if Council imposes a cap at a number less than the number of existing licences at the time Council decides.

Councillor Thompson, rising on a Point of Privilege stated when he woke up this morning, he heard all over the news about the confidential information that is contained in a report provided by the City Solicitor to Members of Council and the administration as a whole. Councillor Thompson stated that his understanding was that there are procedural aspects and requirement for matters that are confidential and to be kept confidential and that, however, it appears that this matter has been leaked.

Councillor Thompson further stated that he wished to understand what methods the Speaker and the administration — Legal and others — will take to deal with this particular matter, because if he is correct and the information has been leaked, Members of Council have not had the opportunity to sit and discuss the issue, and to release whatever information Members think is appropriate. Councillor Thompson stated that this does prejudice Members of Council, particularly the Mayor and her leadership.

Councillor Thompson stated that he thinks this is an injustice to City Council, and as a Member of Council, he is offended by the fact that this information has been leaked to the media and it was out for public dissemination without Members of Council being able to discuss this issue.

Councillor Thompson stated that he wanted to understand what are the options available to Council, and whether or not there is a need for an investigation to see where and how this matter has been leaked.

Councillor Holyday, rising on a Point of Order, stated that Mayor Chow's motion looks to have two propositions in it, and he would like the Speaker to rule if they may be voted on separately and, if they can be, Councillor Holyday would like to vote on them separately and record the votes.

Councillor Perruzza, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that his voting tablet didn't give him an opportunity to vote and that he would like to vote in favour.

Councillor Perruzza, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that this is an old song the Speaker is singing, and he would wish that the Speaker would stop it. Councillor Perruzza further stated that he went to vote but his tablet did not work, and that he wanted his vote to be recorded in the affirmative. 

Councillor Perruzza, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that that he has a voting tablet which he has been pushing all day and his votes have been coming through, but on this one it didn’t record and to just please record his vote and to stop the editorial.

Councillor Ainslie, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that he thinks everyone in the Chamber understands the rules that to vote Councillors must have their screens on if they’re virtual, and that Councillor Perruzza just insulted the Speaker twice in those comments and Councillor Ainslie stated asked that he would ask Councillor Perruzza to withdraw them.

Councillor Perruzza, rising on a Point of Privilege, stated that there is nothing for him to withdraw, and that the Speaker keeps berating him. Councillor Perruzza stated that he told the Speaker that his tablet didn't work and that he tried to vote, and that he just wants his vote to be recorded and that the Speaker just goes on and starts editorializing about her memos.

Councillor Perks, rising on a Point of Order, stated that if a Member has been asked to come to order by the Chair and refuses there is a process and that he would ask the Speaker to consider that process.