TORONTO, June 15 - Toronto Taxi Drivers are calling for an end to the discriminatory status of Ambassador Plates. They are asking the City to convert all Ambassador Plates to Standard Plates, so every plate holders in the city can enjoy equal rights.

To demand this right, the iWorkers Toronto Taxi Section is organizing a demonstration by taxi drivers.

This demonstration coincides with a Human Rights Commission case. A Taxi Driver, and member of iWorkers, has a complaint in front of the Ontario Human Rights Commission that is entering mediation with the City on June 17th. The complaint centers on the two-tier system of license plates in Toronto.

There are 1,400 taxi drivers that hold Ambassador Plate status in the City of Toronto. "Unfortunately, these plates do not have the same value or rights attached to them as Standard Plates," explained Peter Leibovitch, Director of the taxi section of the iWorkers Association.

"It is not fair to have two classes of drivers," said Terry Crawford, an Ambassador Plate holder. "A taxi driver is a taxi driver. We should be judged by the quality of our work, not the colour of our taxi plate."
WHAT: Taxi Demonstration Against Two-Tier Taxi Plates

WHO: Toronto Taxi Drivers & iWorkers Association

WHEN: Tuesday, June 16th, 10:00am

WHERE: In front of Toronto City Hall (Nathan Philips Sq., 100 Queen St.W.)

For further information: Terry Crawford, (647) 292-9519; Peter Leibovitch, (416) 278-4123