The new Taxi By-law, By-law No. 5143, was approved by Council on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, with some changes coming into effect as soon as Monday, November 30, 2026.
The City of Yellowknife is modernizing and replacing the Livery Licence By-law No. 4526 to reflect how taxi services can better support our residents.
The new by-law will:
- Require taxis to be equipped with approved in-vehicle security cameras and GPS technology;
- Require fares and driver’s licences to be clearly displayed inside taxis;
- Require each licensed taxi business to have an accessible taxi available 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
- Ensure that companies and drivers are compensated, with a fare increase; and
- Require taxi operators to maintain a formal complaint-management process so concerns from passengers can be received, documented and addressed.
These changes are intended to provide greater confidence for passengers and drivers, improve transportation options for residents with mobility needs, give drivers and taxi businesses clearer expectations, and create a more welcoming experience for all.
Supporting Accessible Taxi Service
The City understands that increasing the availability of wheelchair-accessible taxis requires additional resources from local businesses.
City council also approved an Accessible Taxi Grant Program to support the conversion or acquisition of wheelchair-accessible taxi vehicles in Yellowknife. The grant program is intended to help local taxi brokerages make the necessary investments while supporting the broader community goal of improving transportation options for residents and visitors.
“The new Taxi By-law will expand accessible transportation options in our community, giving people greater flexibility, choice and confidence in getting around Yellowknife,” said Mayor, Ben Hendriksen. “This is about creating a more inclusive, safe and accessible community for everyone.”
Phased Approach
The City recognizes that the new taxi requirements will affect taxi drivers and service providers and that businesses will need time to prepare. The requirements will therefore be introduced in stages:
- Accessible taxi requirement: November 30, 2026
- GPS and security-camera requirements: January 31, 2027
The City will continue working with taxi brokerages and other stakeholders to answer questions and support the transition.
For more information about City by-laws, including the new Taxi By-law, visit https://www.yellowknife.ca/city-by-laws.