Maqsood Ahmad for Ward 14
A Voice for Gig Workers
Thousands of rideshare drivers, delivery workers and other gig workers serve our city every day. They are not a small or isolated group — they are an important part of our city's workforce and deserve a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their incomes, working conditions and families.
These workers help keep our city moving. They transport residents and deliver meals, groceries and essential items, providing flexible services that families, seniors and local businesses increasingly rely on.
Despite the importance of their work, many gig workers face serious financial hardship. Fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance and everyday living costs continue to rise, while their earnings remain unpredictable. They cover their own operating expenses and, where required, manage and remit HST. As a result, the earnings shown on a platform can be significantly higher than what a worker actually takes home.
After platform commissions, service fees and operating expenses, many workers struggle to pay their household bills — even after working 50 to 60 hours a week. Anyone who works that hard should have a fair opportunity to support their family, achieve financial security and live with dignity.
Too many decisions affecting gig workers have been made without meaningful consultation with the workers themselves. They deserve fairness, transparency and a seat at the table. This includes a fair minimum base fare, clear information about how every payment is calculated, reasonable platform commissions and a fair share of each customer payment going to the worker who provides the service.
At City Hall, I will listen directly to gig workers, bring their concerns forward and support action on matters within the City's authority. I will also advocate with platform companies and other levels of government for fairer compensation, stronger protections and better working conditions.
What I Will Advocate For
- Fair compensation and a reasonable base fare that reflect the actual cost of completing each trip or delivery.
- Transparent and reasonable platform commissions, with clear information showing what the customer paid, what the platform deducted and what the worker received.
- Fair recognition of workers' time, including waiting periods, traffic delays and longer pickups.
- Protection from unfair account suspensions and deactivations, including clear reasons, an opportunity to respond and access to an impartial and timely appeal process.
- Safe and practical pickup, drop-off and waiting areas that support workers while protecting public safety and managing traffic responsibly.
- Meaningful consultation with gig workers before the City makes decisions affecting their livelihoods, together with cooperation from platform companies and other levels of government to strengthen worker protections.
Fairer compensation for gig workers should not automatically mean higher fares for customers. The priority should be to reduce excessive commissions and unnecessary deductions so that a fairer share of the amount customers already pay reaches the worker who provides the service.
Customers deserve to be heard and protected, but every complaint must be handled fairly. Workers also deserve respect, an opportunity to respond and a fair review before their livelihood is taken away.
At City Hall, I will listen directly to gig workers, bring their concerns forward and support action on matters within the City's authority. I will also advocate with platform companies and other levels of government for fairer compensation, stronger protections and better working conditions.
Gig workers work hard to keep our city moving in every season and under difficult conditions. They deserve fairness, dignity, transparency and a strong voice at City Hall.
Share Your Experience
Are you a rideshare driver, delivery worker or another gig worker? Share the challenges you face and the changes you would like to see.
Let's work together. Be part of the campaign.