Cold Lake asks Alberta to create provincewide ride-hailing rules
The city says current municipal rules are a barrier to services like Uber and Lyft in smaller communities.
COLD LAKE · The City of Cold Lake is urging the Alberta government to establish provincewide regulations for ride-hailing services, aiming to bring companies like Uber and Lyft to smaller communities. Kevin Nagoya, the city's chief administrative officer, said residents have repeatedly asked when they will be able to use such apps. He identified a key obstacle: trips often cross municipal lines where different local rules apply. Drivers may be allowed to drop off passengers anywhere but could be barred from picking up new fares in a neighbouring jurisdiction. This patchwork of bylaws creates a significant operational hurdle.
Nagoya said a single provincial framework would simplify operations for ride-hailing companies across entire regions. "It makes it difficult for these types of platforms to exist in the current regulatory framework," he said. The city's request comes amid expected growth from local defence and oil sector investments. Council has directed staff to collaborate with Alberta Municipalities, the provincial municipal association, to advance the issue. Nagoya also proposed that a regional pilot project could test a model for wider provincial adoption.
Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen, in an email, said the government is "exploring ways to support greater consistency across the province." Uber expressed support for Cold Lake's position in a statement. "One set of clear rules would give more Albertans access to rideshare while maintaining strong safety standards," the company said. While provincial rules could help towns without their own bylaws, experts emphasize safety must remain a priority. Murtaza Haider, a professor at the University of Alberta, said both levels of government have a role in ensuring companies and drivers meet safety requirements.
Jason Hawkins, an assistant professor at the University of Calgary, agrees that safety is a primary concern with ride-hailing. He noted these services help address transportation gaps in areas with limited public transit, but passengers need assurance drivers are properly screened. Local taxi operators, however, are skeptical about the arrival of ride-hailing. Magdi Mahmud, who runs Northern Lights Taxi, worries the services would take business from existing companies. Dina Capeau, owner of A TaxiCab Company, questions whether there is enough demand, given six taxi firms already serve the Cold Lake area. Nagoya contends that growing demand for transportation will accompany the community's expansion. In major Alberta urban centres, ordering a ride is a simple process, but in smaller places like Cold Lake, the option does not exist. The city's push seeks to change that reality by advocating for regulatory changes at the provincial level.
With files from CBC News