Ottawa to appeal court ruling in $215 million taxi lawsuit
A judge ruled the city was negligent when Uber arrived in 2012. City lawyers now have 30 days to appeal to Ontario's Court of Appeal.
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Ottawa is appealing a court ruling that found the city negligent when Uber arrived, as CTV News Ottawa reported on October 27, 2026. The appeal covers a class-action lawsuit filed in 2016 by 768 taxi plate holders seeking $215 million in damages.
What the court decided
On October 27, Ontario Superior Court Justice Marc Smith ruled that the 768 licence plate holders can pursue their claims as a group. CTV News Ottawa reported Smith concluded that requiring each person to make their own case would deny them access to justice.
The lawsuit dates to 2016, when Metro Taxi Ltd., Coventry Connections president and CEO Marc Andre Way, and taxi plate holder Iskhak Mail filed the class action. In May 2024, an Ontario Superior Court judge had already ruled the city was negligent in enforcing its Taxi Bylaw when Uber began operating in Ottawa around 2012.
The city's response
City Solicitor Stuart Huxley wrote a memo to council on October 27 saying he had instructed external lawyers to appeal two findings: that the city was negligent, and that aggregate damages are the right approach. CTV News Ottawa quoted Huxley: "These findings raise significant legal issues that warrant appellate review."
Huxley said the appeal goes to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. The parties have 30 days from October 27 to file. CTV News Ottawa reported the appeal is expected to be heard in 2027.
What comes next
The damages phase of the class action will only take place if the Court of Appeal agrees with the lower court. If the appeal succeeds, the case ends there. If it fails, the court will then determine how much, if anything, the city owes the 768 plate holders.
The court rejected two other parts of the original claim: that the city violated taxi drivers' Charter rights, and that the bylaw imposed an unlawful tax. The city is appealing only the findings that went against it.
Ottawa residents with questions about the city's legal matters can find city council news at /on/ottawa-2026/news.
Questions this story answers
What is the Ottawa taxi class-action lawsuit about?
In 2016, Metro Taxi Ltd., Coventry Connections CEO Marc Andre Way, and taxi plate holder Iskhak Mail filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of 768 Ottawa taxi plate holders. They argued the City of Ottawa was negligent when it allowed Uber to operate in the city for about two years before enforcing its own bylaw. They are seeking $215 million in damages. In May 2024, an Ontario Superior Court judge agreed the city was negligent in enforcing its Taxi Bylaw when Uber arrived around 2012.
What did the court decide on October 27, 2026?
On October 27, 2026, Ontario Superior Court Justice Marc Smith ruled that damages can be assessed as a group, sometimes called aggregate damages. This means the 768 taxi plate holders do not each have to present their own individual case for damages. The judge wrote that denying aggregate damages would deny the plaintiffs access to justice. This ruling moves the lawsuit closer to the damages phase.
Why is Ottawa appealing?
City Solicitor Stuart Huxley said in a memo to council that he consulted with the city's external lawyers and insurer and decided to appeal the two key findings: that the city was negligent in enforcing its taxi bylaw, and that aggregate damages are appropriate. Huxley said these findings raise significant legal issues that should be reviewed by a higher court. The appeal goes to the Court of Appeal for Ontario.
How long does the city have to file the appeal?
CTV News Ottawa reported that the parties have 30 days from October 27, 2026, to appeal any of the court's findings to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. City Solicitor Stuart Huxley said he has already instructed external counsel to file the appeal.
When will the appeal be heard?
CTV News Ottawa reported that the appeals are expected to be heard in 2027. No specific date has been set. The city has 30 days from October 27, 2026, to file its notice of appeal with the Court of Appeal for Ontario. City Solicitor Stuart Huxley said he has already instructed external counsel to begin that process.
What happens to the $215 million damages claim while the appeal is underway?
The damages phase of the class-action will only take place if the Court of Appeal upholds the original finding that the city was negligent. As long as the appeal is before the court, the question of how much the city might owe the taxi plate holders remains on hold.
Did the court rule on all of the plaintiffs' claims?
No. The court ruled the city was negligent in enforcing the Taxi Bylaw but found the city did not infringe on the Charter rights of taxi drivers and did not impose an unlawful tax through its bylaw. The city is appealing the negligence and aggregate damages findings. It is not appealing the rulings in its favour.
Where can I follow the results of this case?
You can follow Ottawa city council news at /on/ottawa-2026/news. CTV News Ottawa covered this court ruling on October 27, 2026. The Court of Appeal for Ontario is expected to hear the appeals in 2027.
Sources
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