The ride-hailing company said it could spend at least $40 million a year on a workers’ benefits fund in Canada. Under the proposed plan, app-based companies would contribute a share of funds toward workers’ health benefits or retirement plans. (The Canadian Press)

Talking point: The plan would require provinces to amend laws governing contract workers, entitling them to more protections and benefits without classifying them as employees. About 1.7 million people are part of that workforce in Canada, and many of them earn less than $5,000 a year, according to a Statistics Canada report from May 2020. Uber has faced backlash from workers in the country over benefits and pay. That includes a proposed class-action lawsuit from drivers in Ontario and an unfair labour practice complaint from the United Food and Commercial Workers union, which was filed on behalf of Uber Black drivers trying to unionize. Some Uber drivers and labour lawyers have criticized the proposed benefits plan, saying it could enable the company to ignore other grievances like minimum wage, vacation time and sick pay.