Read the full letter

Technologists for Democracy is calling on the Minister of Transportation of Ontario to reject Waymo's planned entry into our province. This letter was written in consultation with engineers, rideshare drivers, delivery drivers and advocates concerned with transit, privacy and community.

Our open letter raises concerns about the following topics, informed by both common practices within the autonomous taxi industry and Waymo's existing operations in the United States.

• Mass collection of Ontarians' data by an American company

• Outsourcing of driving jobs, which already have limited worker protections

• Gaps in accessibility for riders with disabilities

• Threats to public transit funding

• Hidden costs to the city where public resources go towards training Waymo vehicles to adhere to local traffic laws. Incidents have been reported in places where Waymo is already active, like Austin and Nashville, where major infractions like failing to stop for school buses have occurred.

We urge the government to prioritize public consultation on a matter that will, directly and indirectly, affect the lives of millions of Ontarians. Due to the level of potential disruption that can be caused, we believe it necessary to acquire meaningful consent across the province before we allow surveillance taxis on our streets.

Read the full letter and add your name as a signatory.