Taxi cab safety continues to be a concern after the near fatal stabbing of a driver in Regina. The cabbie remains in intensive care, but is recovering after being stabbed in the chest, throat and stomach about ten days ago. The United Steelworkers continue to lobby municipalities including Saskatoon to make shields between the front and back seats mandatory in all cabs. Union Staff Representative Patrick Veinot believes a shield would have prevented the Regina attack. He also says drivers in other parts of Canada can turn on flashing lights if they feel threatened. Union officials, cabbies and supporters took part in a community forum in Regina yesterday to discuss cab driver safety.
Last October, a taxi driver from Saskatoon was attacked by a passenger. And, at that time, the United Steelworkers, called on City Council to reopen the discussion about safety. Last July City Council talked about the idea of using the plastic protective guards or amber light call buttons, but no change was made to the bylaw and Local 2014 president, Malik Draz, said at the time of the October attack that he didn’t agree with the decision to leave it up to the individual drivers.