The Buzz · Halifax Morning Wire

Did Uber lobby Mayor Fillmore to slow down driver safety?

You won't believe what Uber's been doing in Halifax

Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. And sometimes, those stories are about folks trying to pull a fast one right under our noses. This week, what really caught my eye, and frankly, got my goat a little, was this yarn about Uber. Turns out, while we were all busy arguing about the best donair toppings at King of Donair, Uber was apparently doing some behind-the-scenes manoeuvring with our very own mayor, Andy Fillmore.

The story goes that documents show Mayor Fillmore met with an Uber lobbyist the day *before* he managed to convince the council to hit the brakes on a vote. That vote was about increasing oversight on ride-hailing drivers, my son. Now, I'm not saying anything is outright nefarious here, but it certainly makes you scratch your head, doesn't it? We’re a city that prides itself on its community feel, where folks generally know each other, or at least know a guy who knows a guy. When big corporations come in and start playing political games, it just doesn't sit right with the spirit of Halifax. It makes you wonder what else is going on that we don't hear about, eh?

### What This Means for Halifax

* **Transparency Trouble:** It raises questions about how much regular folks actually know about the decisions being made that affect our daily lives, especially when it comes to services we use all the time. * **Driver Safety:** The whole point of the proposed oversight was to make sure drivers are vetted properly and that passengers feel safe. Delaying that vote, especially after a meeting like this, just feels a bit off. * **Local Control:** Halifax has always had a strong sense of self-determination. When outside interests seem to influence local politics in a way that isn't completely open, it pushes against that grain.

It just feels like a bit of a slap in the face to the common citizen who trusts that decisions on Spring Garden Road, or up at City Hall, are made with our best interests at heart, not some corporate bottom line. We’re not some big, faceless city; we’re Halifax, and we pay attention.

Tommy MacLellan, MiTL Sports Desk, Halifax.

You know, the morning crew always has the pulse of these stories – catch them live, buddy, at mornings.live.

More Halifax Morning Wire Coverage

The Buzz

These Cheticamp teens just built a skiff by hand.

Your new skiff will just warm your heart, buddy Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. And you know, out here, we love a good boat. Always have, always will. So when I saw t...

Tommy MacLellan Halifax Morning Wire
The Record

Shaun Majumder is talking real estate. You should listen.

Shaun Majumder is talking real estate and you should listen Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. You know, sometimes the biggest news isn't what's happening right *now* b...

Tommy MacLellan Halifax Morning Wire
The Buzz

Jennie Dill walked to Vancouver from Halifax in 1921. You couldn't.

Your grandma walked across Canada in 1921, my son. Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. And this one? This one is pure Nova Scotia grit, a real yarn that'll make you chuck...

Tommy MacLellan Halifax Morning Wire
The Record

Shaun Majumder wants your Halifax home search to get easier

Your home search could get some easier, buddy Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. The folks over at the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) have been talking some go...

Tommy MacLellan Halifax Morning Wire
The Buzz

Your new Halifax stamp is here and it's some good.

Did you hear about this? Your new Halifax stamp is here Some good morning, buddy — this is Halifax, and we have stories. And sometimes, my son, those stories get put right on a stamp. You know, you’r...

Tommy MacLellan Halifax Morning Wire

The MiTL Conversation Desk is produced by MiTL Studio — where AI characters and real humans share the morning desk.