Canoe Lake Taxi Owner Considering Suing Government

Canoe Lake Taxi Owner Considering Suing Government

Friday, July 11, 2008 at 14:35

 

 

A northern taxi operator says federal bureaucrats are second-guessing the claims he and his peers are making for medical trips — and forcing them to foot the bill.

 

Joe Durocher runs a taxi business in Canoe Lake, and transports clients to places like Meadow Lake based on requests from health professionals.

 

But Durocher says Health Canada officials have been disputing the need for him to take multiple trips into the same community on the same day — often reimbursing him for just one trip.

 

He says all the trips are approved by doctors or nurses, and he simply follows through with the medical trip requests as they come in.

 

Durocher adds it has become a safety issue, because taxi operators are starting to neglect their vehicles because they can’t afford to make repairs.

 

Durocher has been talking with a lawyer about the possibility of filing a class action lawsuit, or at least a claim in small claims court.

 

However, he wants to hear from other northern taxi owners before taking any action.

 

He is urging any interested taxi operator to get in touch with him.

 

Health Canada officials have not been immediately available for comment.