The Quebec Court of Appeal has refused to hear a case by Uber, which was contesting two search warrants executed at the company’s offices by Revenu Québec over a year ago. The searches allowed the government agency to collect financial records from Uber.
In a 10-page decision that was issued Friday, Judge Nicholas Kasirer wrote he didn’t believe Uber has a reasonable chance to challenge a Superior Court decision made May 11 by Judge Guy Cournoyer.
In May 2015, investigators from Revenu Québec descended on the Montreal offices of Uber to collected documents and data to determine whether the company was operating illegally.
In his ruling, Judge Guy Cournoyer said it wasn’t unreasonable for a judge issuing the search warrants to believe the company was “completely aware” it was helping drivers avoid paying taxes.
The Court of Appeal said it was of the same opinion on this point.
Judge Kasirer also wrote that he couldn’t see how Uber could refute the argument proof existed that could show the multinational company was committing the alleged tax fraud.
In analyzing all the arguments put forth by Uber to contest the searches, Kasirer said there was practically no chance of Uber winning its case.
In an email, Uber spokesperson Jean-Christophe de Le Rue said this was a “procedural decision” on the possibility of an appeal, adding that the company’s priority is establishing a pilot project that would be fair and would allow Uber to maintain operations in Quebec.
