British Columbia is developing a plan to regulate its gig economy, which includes drivers for ride-share and delivery apps such as Uber, as well as independent contractors in many fields.
Similar attempts at regulation in other jurisdictions have led to years-long legal battles and calls for amendments, most notably in California, which was one of the first to try to make gig workers get employee status.
While regulations aim to provide gig workers with the benefits and protections afforded to “employees,” forcing gig workers to lose their status as “independent” contractors has had wide-ranging impacts on some workers, businesses, and entire economies….