N.L. suspends province's 1st ride-hailing licence, just days after it was announced

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador says 'new information' led to its decision to suspend the licence of Redsea Riding. (CBC)

Just four days after Newfoundland and Labrador announced it had issued its first ride-hailing licence, the provincial government says that licence has been suspended.

A statement from Department of Digital Government and Service N.L. spokesperson Krista Dalton on Tuesday said the licence granted to Redsea Riding has been "suspended until further notice."

"On Friday, new information was brought to the department's attention potentially related to the licensee and the matter is under further review," said Dalton's statement. The department has not provided any information about what that information entails.

Dalton's statement says the department's motor registration division evaluated the application, determined it met the requirements and then issued the licence.

CBC News has confirmed through Supreme Court documents that a man with the same name as Redsea's owner and CEO is facing charges of assault, sexual assault, sexual interference, invitation to sexual touching, making explicit material available to a child under 16 and exposing his genitals.

According to the documents the man has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

On Friday, the provincial government scheduled an afternoon news conference to accompany its announcement that it had awarded the licence to Redsea Riding. According to the provincial government's information, Redsea Riding, with 10 drivers, would start operations in the St. John's metro area and planned to recruit more drivers.

Friday's news conference was cancelled by the provincial government. Reporters were told Digital Government and Service N.L. Minister Sarah Stoodley was in a cabinet meeting that was running late.

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