Why has Vancouver been so slow to join the sharing economy?

Around the world, popular app- and web-based services such as Uber and AirBnB have disrupted traditional business models and sparked explosive growth in the sharing economy. Consumers have embraced these services for their convenience and cost savings, but as they enter highly regulated industries, they face friction from both traditional operators and hesitant governments who raise legal and safety-related concerns. In some jurisdictions, legislators have responded to their constituents by making regulatory changes allowing these types of companies to legally operate. Vancouverites, however, have seen nothing but delayed decisions and increased regulations that make it difficult – if not impossible – for these services to exist.

Hear from UBC and community experts, from Mobi, Car2Go and the City of Vancouver, as they examine the pros, cons, and unanswered questions about the state of the sharing economy in Vancouver.

This event took place November 28, 2016, in Vancouver, BC.