“Ride-sharing? It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when:- Transportation Minister Todd Stone

Vancouver- British Columbia’s Transportation Minister says it’s inevitable ride-sharing services such as Uber will operate in the province, despite his government’s previous warnings aimed at preventing the company from setting up operations.

Todd Stone said the service, which uses a smartphone app to connect users with drivers outside the traditional taxi system, will only be permitted if it receives the proper approvals.

Mr. Stone’s comments, in an interview with 'The Globe and Mail' on Tuesday, were his strongest comments to date on the controversial service and came as a Liberal candidate in a provincial by-election as well as the BC Liberal Party have made the case for Uber and other services such as Airbnb as part of the so-called “sharing economy.”

“Ride-sharing? It’s not a matter of if. It’s a matter of when,” Mr. Stone said. “I really think so. If we continue to have the good discussions we’re having both with the taxi industry and the ride-sharing industry, there will come a day in British Columbia where these two industries will co-exist and be able to grow and flourish as long as everyone follows the rules.”

Mr. Stone said it’s clear that many British Columbians would welcome the kind of services offered by Uber, which provides taxi, limousine and ride-share services.

“These are services that would [provide] convenience and choice and certainly competition that I think would be welcomed by British Columbians. The ride-sharing companies just have to make sure they understand the requirements relating to safety they have to operate in,” he said.