Waymo Aims to Bring Driverless Taxis to Toronto

Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle operator Waymo has joined Toronto's lobbyist registry, seeking new regulations to enable its self-driving taxis in the city. The Silicon Valley company, which already operates driverless ride-hailing services in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, aims to expand to Canada's fourth-largest city. However, no formal discussions have yet begun with the city government, according to a statement from city spokesperson Saira Virani. Waymo's entry into Toronto follows Magna International's troubled autonomous delivery pilot in 2025, which the city criticized for violating basic traffic rules. Waymo recently issued a recall for vehicles that drove past stopped school buses. Experts like University of Toronto's Steven Waslander note that operating in Canada's harsh winter conditions presents unique challenges compared to Waymo's initial U.S. markets in warm, dry climates.