The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC) is marking an advocacy win regarding a provincial licensing framework for ridesharing across Ontario.
The EOWC is comprised of political representatives from 103 rural and small-urban communities across eastern Ontario, and is chaired by Peterborough County warden Bonnie Clark.
Clark took some time with kawarthaNOW to share her thoughts on why having a provincial licensing framework for rideshare companies is important to the EOWC, and to reflect on the fact the item has been mentioned in Ontario’s 2025 fall economic statement.
The fall economic statement notes the Ontario government’s plans to engage with rideshare operators, the taxi sector, and municipalities to explore standardized guidelines province-wide.
“By consulting on potential approaches for a provincial rideshare framework, the government continues to support an integrated and efficient transportation network that will improve access for everyone, including rural and remote communities such as those along the Northlander route,” reads the fall economic statement, referring to the planned reinstatement of passenger rail between Toronto and Timmins.
Currently, ridesharing in Ontario is either unregulated or governed by a patchwork of municipal bylaws, leading to inconsistencies and different standards across the province. In October 2024, the EOWC was one of the first municipal organizations to call on the Ontario government to establish a provincial licensing framework for rideshare companies, bringing Ontario in line with Quebec and British Columbia.
“The EOWC became aware of this issue through our partnerships with industry leaders,” Clark told kawarthaNOW. “The issue was discussed fulsomely during an EOWC board of directors meeting held in October 2024 in the County of Renfrew, and the decision was made to send a letter to the Ontario government.”
Clark said the EOWC “is pleased to see the rideshare framework as part of the 2025 fall economic statement, and appreciates the consultative process to allow communities and organizations to share their voices.”
“We thank Ontario premier Doug Ford, finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy, and (transportation minister Prabmeet Sarkaria) for bringing forward this consultation and the EOWC looks forward to participating in consultations in 2026. Together, we can help shape a unified transportation system that works for all of Ontario’s municipalities, including our 103 rural and small-urban communities across eastern Ontario.”
“We look forward to participating in the provincial consultation process to ensure priorities for our eastern Ontario municipalities, businesses, and residents are at the forefront of policy and legislative development,” Clark added.
In an October 2024 letter to Ford and Sarkaria, EOWC outlined the benefits of an Ontario-wide licensing framework of rideshare companies.
These include supporting Ontario’s economic growth by providing additional transportation options along with flexible part-time job opportunities, connecting communities by allowing people to travel seamlessly across municipal borders, and reducing impaired driving in rural communities where transportation options are often sparse or unavailable late at night.
EOWC said standardized provincial guidelines for ridesharing would also facilitate innovative transit solutions, such as one offered by the Town of Innisfil in Simcoe County.
In Canada’s first transit and ridesharing partnership, Innisfil Transit offers on-demand, flat-fare rides using a voucher-based system through Uber that connect residents with popular destinations.
“Transit is no longer an issue in our town for those in need of getting place to place, or just having a safe ride home after a night with friends,” an Innisfil resident said according to the Uber website.
VIDEO: “Innisfil Transit: Canada’s first ridesharing and transit partnership”
