Controversial new guidelines that would legalize Uber and relax rules for conventional taxis are up for debate at the city’s licensing and standards committee today.

The guidelines, which were released last week, would create a separate licensing class for ridesharing services like Uber while at the same time requiring that drivers undergo background checks, have a vehicle no more than seven years old that is inspected annually and possess automobile liability insurance of at least $2 million.

The regulations also forbid Uber drivers from picking up passengers on the street or “having a roof light or any markings” that could make their vehicle look like a taxi.

As well, the guidelines remove or relax many regulations that were previously faced by taxi drivers around training and the types of vehicles that they can use.

Nonetheless, many representatives for the taxi industry have come out against the guidelines, which they say create a “two-tiered system.”

“After reviewing this report we don’t feel it levels the playing field at all. If anything it makes it even more un-level,” Toronto Taxi Alliance Spokesperson Sam Moini told CP24 on Thursday. “You have two separate rules and regulations that are far apart from each other and it clearly gives the advantage to Uber over taxis.”

Mayor John Tory has previously said that “Uber is here to stay” and last week he told CP24 that the new guidelines are “fair and equitable” and are ultimately “in the public interest.”

Moini, however, told CP24 that he believes the rules will leave customers worse off if they are implemented.

“We are scaling back the hands of time when it comes to customer safety and protection and we are going back in time when it comes to vehicle inspections, vehicle requirements, snow tires and competence in the English language,” he said. “These were all things that were great for the consumer and now we are scaling back the hands of time.”

More than 100 people to address committee

A total of 101 people have signed up to speak during today’s meeting with each receiving five minutes for their address.

Though that list includes a number of Toronto taxi drivers as well as representatives from a number of lobby groups for the taxi industry, it also includes representatives from Uber, who have previously supported the proposed guidelines.

“Cab drivers will still have an advantage. Only cabs can be hailed, only cabs can be at taxi stands and an Uber car is not allowed to pick somebody up off the street,” Coun. John Campbell told CP24 on Thursday. “I think they (staff) have struck a real balance in terms of bringing some fairness to both sides of the equation.”

In addition to all of the deputants that are scheduled to speak, Licensing and standards committee member Jim Karygiannis will also address his colleagues,

A longtime opponent of Uber, Karygiannis has said that he will table a motion that would, among other things, require that Uber driver possess commercial insurance, be licensed by the City of Toronto and have their vehicles inspected at a city-run garage twice a year.

“If puppies and kitties need to be registered directly with the City of Toronto, then surely any driver picking up my loved ones must be as well,” he said a letter sent to licensing and standards committee members on Wednesday night.