This started off as a reply on a Facebook thread.  A friend had posted his recent experience where a cab driver who did not accept his fare because it wasn’t to going to net him enough money after presumably waiting a long time in a queue.   This is a practice becoming more common outside of the hotels, venues and specials events of Toronto.  It’s easy to dismiss it as greedy drivers but it’s more complicated than that.  I think this is more a move of desperation on the part of drivers who for a number of reasons can barely make a living in this town.  

Unfortunately, there will be more of this to come as the cab business in Toronto has been run into the ground due in large part to a market controlled by the Howard Moscoe and the regulating commission that have some credibility problems when it comes to who’s interests they are really acting on behalf of.  Some folks make a lot of money off the taxi business in Toronto. Those are not the people who drive the cars I assure you.   

Rates have been recently increased but still are very low relative to increases in cost of living and operation of their vehicles.  Insurance for everyone has gone up for cabbies, industry wide, it has increased dramatically.  I've heard more than a few stories of their rates doubling.  Gas of course has gone up substantially as well…and makes no mistake; this was never a lush business margin-wise to begin with.

In Toronto in particular licensing is a big problem.  There are two kinds of licenses.

1. What they call full plate.  These are EXTREMELY expensive.  Last I heard they were going for $180000 on the private market.  There is a fixed number in the market and you cannot get one from the city anymore.  

They were originally sold to owner by the city for less than $10 000.  Most of these plates are owned by a very small group of people and cab companies.  Mel Lastman was rumoured to own great than 60 of these at one point.  That’s 60 000 in investment and 9 000 000 in upside decades later.  So yeah, keeping the prices of these plates high, artificially so, is in the best interests of some very rich folks.  This is not free market.  This is the worst kind of market interference and here’s why.

These licenses are valuable because

a. you can resell them
b. you can lease to other drivers / companies (none of the owners of the plates actually drive a cab I assure you)
c. if you get sick a family member or friend can sub in for you
d. it can be willed / gifted and
e. you can have a night driver to maximize your investment. If you are the cab owner...pretty much no one makes money driving 12 hours a day and letting the car sleep the other 12.

2. The ambassador plates - in lieu of issuing new 'full plates' , which would have reduced the market value of the existing ones, making them affordable for drivers to run their own businesses and taken lots of money out of the pocket of many powerful Toronto richy connected types,  they issued this new type of license.

They are reasonably cheap but not at all the same as a full plate.  Through their limitations they make it almost impossible for a cabbie to actually make a reasonable living under this license.

With these licenses you and only you can drive you car.  You cannot resell it.  You cannot will it. If you get sick or injured no one can drive your car and let you make some rental income. Most importantly you cannot rent your car in your off time to a 'night driver'.

Full plate owner build equity in his investment. Ambassadors don't.

Full plate owners don't have to be cab drivers.  Ambassadors do.

Full plate owners can lease their plate to a driver / company if they retire or quit.  Ambassadors can't.

Full plates can be used 24 hours a day by any licensed cab driver.  Ambassadors can be used as much as the one guy can drive in a day; practically forcing most drivers to work 12, 14, 18 hour days.

And when I speak with drivers of any stripe, neither is making much money. They tell me it’s not uncommon to go home literally making little to nothing once they paid for their expenses.  If you are driving a car for a company, you are almost certainly are not the owner of the plate so you have to lease a plate…that’s right, marking up licensing is a business in this city, then you have to rent the car, then you have to insure it, then you have to put gas in the tank AND you have to kick up to the cab company for dispatch service.  

If you’re an ambassador driver you don’t have to lease the license but you do have to own a fairly new car and maintain it and you it you cannot make any money renting it when you’re not driving.  This alone apparently would amount to a 50% wage increase to these types of drivers.   They also have to save more for retirements as their plate goes back to the city when they’re done.  No juicy resale.  Oh and if they get sick, they’re pretty much f-ed, so more rainy day savings are required…if and when they actually make money.

The cabbies in this town are always getting screwed. Years ago it became MANDATORY that they install cameras in the cabs.  Fine…but they had to go to a specific vendor, dictated by the city, to have the rig put in.  A singular vendor to the 1000s of cabs in Toronto; of course the price was jacked.  Drivers could get the same system installed in Buffalo by a manufacturer's approved agent for 50% less…but that probably does count the costs involved in ‘entertaining’ the officials who issued this no bid contract.

Why am I writing this dissertation on the cab business in Toronto?  Because as you can see it’s pretty much a brutal job with very little compensation for the actual drivers.   Naturally this is not going to attract the best people into the profession and it’s going to cause drivers to do things like cherry pick the juiciest fares.  Is it right?  No but this is the climate that the city has created for the guys on the ground.  They gotta eat.  They gotta put food on the table.  Should you complain when it happens?  Yes.  Absolutely. I hope the process of complaining brings to light the under lying causes of why the level of taxi service in this town is rapidly eroding.  

The only people who are doing/going to be doing this job are folks who can absolutely, positively not get a job doing ANYTHING else…because frankly almost anything pays more.  These are our ambassadors to tourists at the airports (actually they can’t pick up fares there), train stations (a 3^rd worldesque chaotic scene on Front St.) and business centers.  It’s a disaster of a business from the top down and it’s going to get worse. 

G20 Inquiry Strategist At WorkSo, it will come as no surprise to anyone who is privy to my social media activity that I am extremely concerned about the actions of Toronto Police Service and the ISU during the recent G20 summit in Toronto.  There's literally no point in a recap, just peep my twitter feed @alexoliveira for the highlights. 

Now then, today I am getting angry.  Not at the "man" or the cops or the politicians or the apologists..I am mad at a number of the activists who are fighting to have the light of truth shined on the situation.

Why? Because they're not unlike the guy who refuses to wear a suit to a wedding or shave for a job interview.  

"Yah I don't do that maaaaan.  I'm a rebel...I don't conform to your narrow ideologies maaaaan"

And that's cool and that's your right but just don't be surprised when at first glance people form, admittedly unfair, opinions about you.  There are some basic social rules that most average people conform to and stepping outside of these comes with it's own consequences.  

Bringing the analogy home, what pisses me off is people like this. 

http://www.g20justice.com/index.html

WHY do they insist on being the cliche that people expect? The raised fist, the dramatic photos. Calling it a "battle"...oh my god...let me guess...Che Guevara t-shirt on?

It's making me angry because like 10s of 1000s of people in this country. I support the call for an inquiry and getting the truth out.  However these idiots will NOT play ball in the public relations game and are getting killed by their more media savvy opponents. 

I want to work for this cause but I cannot find anyone I want to work with. 

The Toronto Community Mobilization Network had a spokesperson on CFRB in Toronto out and out saying they STILL do not denounce the violence and they understand if 'the policies of the G20 have let lead people to such extreme levels of frustration" 

WRONG STUPID!! 1000s of people listening to you just dismissed you as a crazy person.  Here's your answer you PR ignoramuses:

"Obviously, like every red blooded Canadian, we find violence of all kids abhorrent.  We strongly condemn any individual choosing to engage in so-called black bloc techniques.  In as much as it relates to bringing these people to justice we hope to work WITH law enforcement because:

1. it is our shared responsibility as citizens to assist in the bringing of criminals to justice and

2. these people do more to hurt the legitimate movement of G20 opposition than anyone and it is in our mutual interest to see these people stopped in the future.

To the merchants of Toronto that suffered damage, you are right to be angry both at the people who did it and the people who decided to have this summit in a major urban centre.  You have our sympathy and our commitment to do all we can to both bring these people to justice and to try to stop it from happening in future.  What happened to you is unfair and unconscionable." 

You know what you have now idiots?  You have lots of people thinking you're reasonable.  Now you've got people thinking "well they seem reasonable, if they're saying they were out there doing nothing and the police just arrested them...maybe there's something to this"

You know who people think deserve to be harassed by police..the ones with the raised fists in their logo..the ones calling what happened a battle.  That's who you short sighted idiots. 

But you don't get it.  You don't even know who you're talking to.  You do stupid things in some misguided hope of 'keeping it real' to the vocal minority of more extreme believers.  NEWS FLASH GENIUSES, those people are already on your side...stop talking to them.  You're good with them.  

So here's an email I sent the morons behind http://www.g20justice.com/index.html

From: Alex Oliveira [mailto:alex.oliveira@freepressmusic.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 03, 2010 12:47 PM
To: 'g20justice@gmail.com'
Subject: With the hugest repspect for what you are doing...

 

I must offer some criticisms…as a supporter of the idea on an inquiry.

Do you understand that when you go with them militant vibe, using text like the “battle of Toronto” (which btw is a misuse of trademarked image), when you go with a militant fist in the air, when you use the high contrast, dramatic black and white riot police images , you immediately alienate the mainstream?  Not just the media who I’m sure you believe probably will never come on board to support you but average people.  People like me who are preaching the gospel about the human rights violations and calling for an inquiry.  But also people like me who will not get involved with any organization that is emitting such subversive vibes to the public. 

Take your cues from The Canadian Civil Liberties Union.  They know that the facts are on our side, the law is on our side and they know that the media and the average person in Canada thinks the people who were persecuted at The G20…‘these people’… were asking for it.  Do you think a website with a black pantheresque fist in the air, borrowing from the notoriously militant Rage Against The Machine,  that looks more like a punk rock band’s site than a legitimate social justice organization is helping anyone?

The answer is it is...it's helping your opponents in this.  And it's HURTING! YOUR! CAUSE!.  <--read that until it takes.  If you take nothing from this message, take this paragraph seriously. 

All you’re doing is preaching to the converted by putting out communications materials with this slant. You’re saying to ma and pa Canada, The Premier, The PMO and the average working stiff we are the nuts jobs you think we are.  We are the violent protesters the media is portraying as the whole story.  We are the justification for the police’s behavior.  

“Look, they even called it The Battle of Toronto…see how ‘these people’ think of what they did down there?  Tsk tsk...criminals.“

They are giving you rope and you are tying nooses with record speed.

Filter your rage into intellectual power.

PLEASE.

---

You are hurting the cause of people who have been hurt.  So, please, in the name of justice and decency, just this once, put on suit to go to the wedding and shave for the job interview.  Just how important IS non-conformity to you? 

Or...maybe, you are just a bunch of nut-jobs who shouldn't be taken seriously.  <--it's that easy to go from supporter to former supporter.  Don't kid yourself with sanctimonious entitlement. 

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canadians-Demanding-a-Public-Inquiry-into-Toronto-G20/131026933597789?v=info

No seriously, this is Queen and SpadinaThis isn't about right. This isn't about left.  

This isn't about conservative.  This isn't about Liberal.  

This is about the single largest imprisonment of Canadian citizens, a great number peaceful or uninvolved... with the now second place on that list going to a use of the War Measures Act. 

It's about a disturbing attitude on behalf of law enforcement that seems to imply that freedom of the press is somehow regulated and doled out by the police.

It's about asking "so seriously, you held hundreds of people in the rain without charge or arrest because you saw some of them MAYBE wearing some manner of clothing?"

It's about asking "so seriously, why did you let them just burn your cars like that and not jump in?"

It's about asking "so seriously, why DID you drive those cruisers into the hot zone and abandon them...FOUR of them?"

It's about getting the verdict on just what the conditions in the temporary detention centre really were.  And hearing the complaints of those who believe they were treated unfairly.  Extraordinary use of power requires extraordinary explanation...beyond the typical provincial complaints process. 

It's about finding out why people with pre-cleared press accreditation were arrested. 

It's about finding out just where the hell, in specific detail, did 1.2 son of a bitching billion dollars went and WHY the CHRIST did we spend SO MUCH MORE than every other host? Like really...how did that go down?

There's an easy tendency to believe that if you support the call for an inquiry you're pro-protester but ALL Canadians should find the answers to these questions too vague, unacceptable and incongruent with the vast majority of media reports.

I don't know any political ideology that doesn't want the most basic of freedoms upheld.  There is no party or leaning that has a monopoly on fairness and there is no one lawn sign that speaks more than the others on the issues of our government just answering a few simple questions when something goes this badly. 

Question number 1.  What the F#@k just happened?

If you never want one of these again, you want a royal inquiry.

If you want them all the time and think they're super, you STILL want a royal inquiry because the absense of good answers makes that impossible, the public will never stand for it. 

Regardless of how you slice it, what side you come at it from...this has to happen.  

This was a powerful weekend for me.  It began as simple curious perverse fascination and it ended with finding myself legitimately taking to the streets in anger.   Here's how my weekend went down...140 characters at a time.  Follow me @alexoliveira.  I don't usually tweet near this much.  But if my city goes nuts again, I may. 

 @jaimestein you too sir.

 

@KourtneyJessica Wonderful insight, moron.

 

BlackBloc hands the government and their agents a lovely present...a get out of jail free card.

 

@gingy007 Stay home?  What the hell is wrong with you.  Do you understand protesting alone peacefully is a right? Like an actual right.

 

@jaimestein I'm not pinko liberal commie, I'm just saying there's lots of questions that need answering.  Troubling ones.

 

Wow. http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonasnaimark/4739841273/sizes/l/

 

@Brian_P_Walker Spot on.  Can you believe they basically admitted it was easier today to look like real cops tonight?  Unreal.

 

Substantial sewage leak reported localized to the mouth of Toronto Police's spokesman.  Truly insulting to think smart people will buy this.

 

@jaimestein Funny where was this block in strategy yesterday when legitimate criminals were destroying property? This wasn't the red zone.

 

Police are maintaining tonight's group was more dangerous the hammer wielding group yesterday that was allowed to run wild. Seriously? #g20

 

Press conference recap, we think there was some black bloc in there so we cast a crazy wide net and took unreasonable measures.  Got it....

 

@jaimestein or people using their civil right to be in a public space...but sure, let's deamonize them.

 

Police press conference...this should be good.  On Cp24 right now.

 

@canamera they who? The couple coming from dinner? The reporter? The 14 year old? the peaceful protester? You forget what country this is?

 

How could such an otherwise forward thinking chief like Blair let this happen...this smells of people other than him.  He's going to eat it.

 

@nowtoronto this story is going to fall to the alternative press.  Don't get distracted by some Broken Social Scene story...stay on this.

 

Respect to CP24 for being the only media outlet staying on what might be THE story of the G20.

 

You have to be kidding me.  I'm having a terrible dream yes? Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Heb9BXjYcII&has_verified=1 #G20

 

Your rights have grown inconvenient to our operational mandate.  Only one can be suspended...you lose citizen. #G20

 

@tamera They say these things with straight faces...it's staggering to hear.

 

@torontopolice this has to be one of the worst days for honest, freedom loving, hard working cops in this city ever.

 

Cops threatening problem inmates with a 18" wood box called "the box" if they don't comply.  I am shellshocked by horror.

 

Cops to prisoners being released: "here's your stuff, don't protest anymore". Referring to them as rats. What country an I talking about?

 

Prisoners left handcuffed for 20 hours and then not charged...so how dangerous could they be if they weren't charged? #G20

 

@Kelowna I talked to dozens after being released. We're talking hundreads of people with no interest in the protest. It's super bad.

 

@Kelowna nor I but today is a new day. It's nuts.

Cops to released person "walk south to king, if you go east or west or turn around your face will be smashed into the concrete". Lovely #G20

 

@Kelowna don't. I was almost arrested 150 yards north of it just for taking a picture.

 

This CP24 footage is an unmitigated media disaster for G20 security forces.  Epic stategy fail. Nightmare optics.

 

@Kelowna Yes anyone complaining is of course asking for hotels level jail...really? Maybe there's a third answer?

 

@lenottesen Worst. Mayor. Ever.

 

This isn't about the G20 anymore, it's about security, rights and some serious questions to be answered by police. Only the summit is over.

 

Just met a couple who had just finished eating at the keg and and tada went to jail for 17 hours.#G20 #worsethaniimagined

 

Sorry people the prime minister of Japan is having another piece of cheesecake. You 200 need to  have your rights stepped on. #G20

 

If they're criminals, arrest them.  If they're not or you don't know let them go? Have we lost out god damn minds in this city I love? #g220

 

@lenottesen what mayor? Quack quack quack. His last act as mayor is to observe the trampling of his people. #G20

 

They're f%-king holding these f&*kers until the last motorcade leaves and then tada freedom restored. Now say thank you. #G20

 

6 cops just stopped and asked to search the contents of my camera on spadina. Wow. Orwell in the house #G20 #fb http://twitpic.com/20kvkp

 

@SadieMae23 &lt;/ignore&gt;

 

@SadieMae23 you just lost me dickhead. You're the reason protestors can't be taken seriously.  Grow up.

 

All downtown Starbucks locations closed. The League of Insufferable Douchebags are set to fight the Black Bloc for this injustice. #G20 #fb

 

There are more police inside of the red zone than troops in Afghanistan...thats nuts. #G20 #fb

 

@mhamiltonmusic they have 10 platoons here. 1000 more cops is upsettingly barely noticeable.

 

@glennsumi I agree I was super underwhelmed by the CD...seriously please can get half as much meat?

 

If BP busts a window of a Starbucks or paints up a bank maybe folks will get upset with them.  Underwater oil isn't

sexy news tv #G20 #fb

 

@LateNightCam Silly me, thought you when you post something that means you're interested in the subject.  So you're just another mouthpiece.

 

@ricksanchezcnn I've been in eye of the storm for 2 days and will back today #G20

 

@LateNightCam are you so naive as to not see the vandalism was allowed to happen so people like you will say how the expense was justified

 

@tweetittoronto agreed, those committing any crimes are the enemy of all people; rich or poor.

 

@MikeApo_Soul always, those idiots ruin it for everyone.

 

Super. Now the official protest area is apparently not for the public either. I'm sorry but that's antagonistic. #fb

 

@antzstories it's the distraction from a legitimate agenda...if you don't get that you're part of the problem

 

@therewasnosound those cruisers are bait and it's being taken hook line and sinker. Successful tactics. #G20

 

Well if I wanted a security uniform...fail. #G20 http://twitpic.com/208ifc

 

@tweetittoronto right cause it's the peoples fault...who asked for this to be here again? Site the real problem..the summit.

 

"All we wanna say is they don't really care about us".  First Michael Jackson protest song. Fail. #G20 #FB

 

There's a real chance I'm about to be tear gassed.  #bucketlist #G20

 

Oh.  http://twitpic.com/207y75

 

Just announced facial recognition cameras being used at richmond and university...wild #G20  http://twitpic.com/207ugb

 

 

Things being tossed at cops at Duncan and queen.  Mood escalated.  http://twitpic.com/207p36

 

@MikeApo_Soul How long have you known me? When love comes to town I gotta catch that train #g20

 

Word is university is getting messed up. I bet that's word of mouth gone wrong.

 

This is Spadina NORTH bound http://twitpic.com/207kui

 

The guy blasting war pigs...hard tto know which side he's on.  #sarcasm #G20

 

Ok gas masks are oming out big time...on both sides...it's about to go down. #G20 #decisionfail

 

There's at least 200 cops waiting on Richmond at Spadina

 

You didn't think trouble would come to town and I wouldn't have to be in the middle of it did you? #G20 #toronto # http://twitpic.com/1zxbde