Winnipeg looking to reduce discrimination Indigenous people see while using taxis
Posted June 21, 2023 5:34 pm.
Last Updated June 21, 2023 7:45 pm.
The City of Winnipeg is developing strategies to try and reduce the number of incidents of discrimination Indigenous people face while using taxi services.
The Standing Policy Committee on Public Works is set to decide next week whether to ask council to allocate an additional $130,000 to the Vehicles-For-Hire and Security Fund to pay for Indigenous training for taxi and rideshare drivers.
The request comes following city consultations with Indigenous community members, the taxi industry and racialized women.
One of the key findings during the consultations was providing cultural awareness to drivers with the hope that it will lead to greater safety.
“Indigenous women and women in general are treated very differently in transportation, especially in taxis in our city. The taxis here are holistically unsafe and don’t feel safe,” said Christine Brouzes, Advisory Committee Member.
“It’s about time. It takes time for things to happen, but this can’t wait any longer.”
The committee’s report says the $130,000 will cover content development and ongoing facilitator costs.
If approved, the Vehicles-For-Hire and Security Fund, will allow drivers to receive the training for free.
Some of the topics of the training include the Colonial impacts of sexual violence on Indigenous Women and testimonials from those with lived-experiences.
“People come to me and hear the stories and that shouldn’t be. It’s been happening time and time again. I think it’s time that we come together and we talk about the issues,” said AMC Grand Chief Cathy Merrick
Brouzes added, “The training will be simply updating what is ok to use as a label to refer to somebody that has historically changed. Also the cultural awareness training that has happened will be fabulous. So understanding where Indigenous peoples have come from and there may be differences in their transportation needs and attitudes.”
The city says once funding is approved training sessions will begin.
