| Cost and privacy are the two major issues that have | | | | Advantages of taxi security camera include protection |
| the cab drivers up in arms. "Our people feel that the | | | | for the drivers, deterrent for potential violence, and |
| camera is going to be used to discipline drivers," says | | | | prevention of robberies. According to Stats Canada |
| Mohamad Alsadi, a national representative of the | | | | for the period 2001 to 2005, cab driving was the most |
| Canadian Auto Workers Union. Drivers were told that | | | | dangerous work-related job in Canada. Cab drivers |
| the cameras would cost between $700 and $1,000, | | | | work all hours of the night and in all neighborhoods. |
| but the price has climbed to $1,500. Drivers have been | | | | They put themselves at the mercy of their |
| charging an extra 5 cents surcharge on all fares to | | | | passengers. Between 2001 and 2003, crimes against |
| help fund the cameras, but the difference in cost will | | | | Manitoba city taxi drivers dropped 79% after security |
| have to be paid by drivers/owners of the cars. | | | | cameras were installed and mandated by the city. At |
| As a result of the protest and a subsequent city | | | | the same time, the cameras monitor driver behavior as |
| council meeting , the date that drivers are required to | | | | well. Passengers aren't the only ones with the potential |
| have cameras installed by has been moved to July 2, | | | | to act out of line in a taxi cab. Drivers can also be |
| 2008. The mayor threatened that taxi drivers would | | | | guilty on occasion. Taxi cameras help to ensure that |
| risk having their licenses lifted if they refused to have | | | | cab drivers carry out their duties in a professional |
| the cameras installed. In the meeting, mayor O'Brian | | | | manner. In cases where violent confrontations or |
| stated, "The key issue in terms of my decision-making | | | | robberies do take place, in-cab security cameras can |
| was related to public safety. A secondary issue was | | | | provide valuable video evidence for criminal |
| the safety of the drivers." This slightly thoughtless | | | | investigations. |
| statement may explain why a large number of drivers | | | | The drivers union claims they won't cave on this issue |
| believe that the bylaw is discriminatory. Following the | | | | and have not ruled out the possibility of a strike. The |
| meeting, the mayor's office released a statement to | | | | city council representative stated that the drivers |
| clarify his comment about public safety. It said the | | | | concerns of cost and privacy are being addressed, but |
| cameras are for the benefit of both the public and | | | | as it stands the bylaw will be enforced starting July 2, |
| drivers equally, and the mayor apologized for any | | | | 2008. Ottawa residents may find it difficult to find a |
| confusion his comments may have caused. | | | | cab come July. |