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Editorial: Ride-hailing coming to B.C. but that's hardly an election issue

The coming of services such as Uber and Lyft to B.C. is a manufactured issue eight weeks before an election.
Uber

The BC Liberals are hoping to raise the impending arrival, announced this week, of ride-hailing services as an election issue.

(It’s not.)

They have made peace offerings to the taxi industry in the form of criminal checks for Uber and Lyft drivers, plus taxpayer money so taxi company owners can develop an app, all to keep them from opposing the ride-hail business.

(They still do.)

BC NDP leader John Horgan has been in favour of strengthening the Passenger Transportation Board and allowing more taxis to improve service while refusing to be drawn into the debate.

(Good luck with that.)

It’s a manufactured issue eight weeks before an election, but one of interest to many consumers, especially those who have used services such as Uber and Lyft in other places.

(Everyone wants the  latest tech gadget.)

Vancouver is the last large North American city to welcome the ride-hailing technology. Is it time?

(Yes. It’s also time Uber pay its drivers better.)