Uber suggests special permits for its drivers in Quebec

Uber is offering a new proposalto the Quebec government in hopes of reaching a compromise to Bill 100, which would force itsdrivers to conform to the same laws as cabbies with regard to regulations such as permits and taxes.

With the clock ticking, the company proposed on Monday the creation and purchase of special ride-sharing permits for its UberX drivers,distinct from the permits that taxi driversrequire to work in Quebec.

• Quebec introduces legislation aimed at cracking down onUber
• ANALYSIS|How many fires can JacquesDaoustfight before he gets burned?

"It's a licence, but one that isn't linked to the T plates of the taxi industry," said Jean-Nicolas Guillemette, general manager of Uber Quebec.

"So we take off the T plates and we allow people to use their own cars on the road."

Time is of essence

Quebec Transportation Minister Jacques Daoust was noticeablyabsent from the meeting between his cabinetand Uber.

The ride-hailing company also floateda pilot project last weekbut it wasquickly rejected by a skeptical Daoust.

Guillemette said hewas disappointed by Daoust's absence but remains optimistic on reaching an agreement with the government.

"We'll be back and we'll work on the entire document to re-submit to the government in hopes of having the full collaboration from the minister as time is running out," Guillemette said.

• Has theUberdebate exposed a generational divide among Liberals?

Uber says the bill,if enacted as is, would mean the end of the company's operations in the province.

The government wants to pass the bill into law by June 10.