Quebec's cab drivers staged another show of force outside Transport Minister François Bonnardel's Montreal office Friday morning to protest Bill 17, the CAQ's new proposal to deregulate the taxi industry.
They gathered at four meeting points around town before the rush hour Friday morning, and rolled in unison toward the corner of René-Levesque Blvd. W. and Beaver Hall Hill, where they spent the noon hour honking horns and waving signs to make their point.
Later on Friday, Bonnardel said he won't withdraw the legislation, but added he's open to modifying it.
Taxi reps say while there have been meetings scheduled with the government, there isn't much to talk about — the $500 million in compensation the government is offering the industry is seen by cabbies as little more than an effort to try and buy them off.
CJAD 800's Matt Gilmour caught sights and sounds of the protest, from beginning to end:
.@francoislegault makes a surprise appearance at the #taxi drivers protest #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/BaJ1ZZGbyX
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
40-50 cabs are about to leave Faireview in Pointe-Claire, on route the transport minister’s downtown office #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/2Aw8Tp2Cdk
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
And they’re off. Protesting cabbies will make traffic woes this morning even worse, as they intend to flood the downtown core. They will convoy from 4 locations, including Fairview in Pointe-Claire #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/4K1HAOfLth
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
Taxis have really slowed it down now. Rolling at under 10km/h east on the 720, towards the Transport Quebec offices downtown #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/IRYYj0iWGr
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
It got a little crazy at the taxi protest for a minute #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/csZb52ZvcW
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
Taxi drivers hang a cardboard cutout meant to symbolize cabbies and their families, outside the Transport Quebec offices on Rene-Levesque. #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/5aOmzUvaM1
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019
Taxi drivers have turned Rene-Levesque into a parking lot. After the protest, they marched to City Hall, abandoning their cars. Unclear how long it will take to clear them out #CJAD800 pic.twitter.com/hJaPraubO1
— Matt Gilmour (@MGilmourMTL) April 5, 2019