Item - 2024.EX12.1

The Executive Committee:

1. Requested the City Manager include analysis and consideration of driver wages in the forthcoming report on options regarding vehicle-for-hire licensing, and that the City Manager report to the Executive Committee no later than fourth quarter of 2024.

At the December 13-15, 2023 meeting of City Council, the City Manager was requested to report to Executive Committee on the local impact of vehicle-for-hire and private transportation industries, taking into consideration congestion, climate targets, public transit and other factors.

Since that time, I’ve had conversations with drivers who have told me wages and working conditions are their top concerns. These drivers are often newcomers hoping to earn enough to pay their rent and put food on the table. Recently, an independent report validated their concerns by showing that ride-hailing company drivers earned a median wage of $6.37 per hour, far lower than Ontario’s minimum wage of $16.55 per hour. Ride-hailing companies disagree, citing a higher hourly wage, though there is concern that their accounting does not include “idle time” between rides. City Council would benefit from an analysis from City staff of the wages of these workers.

To allow City staff the necessary time to conduct their own analysis of the data related to the findings in the independent report, I am recommending the City Manager be granted additional time to prepare his report.