Uber has advised the province it will be applying for a licence to operate its ride-sharing business in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Digital Government and Service NL confirmed Wednesday.

The province says Uber hopes to be operational here before the start of the upcoming tourist season.

The news comes after the province did an about-face on awarding its first ride-sharing licence last Friday to local company Redsea Riding. The licence was quickly suspended, with the owner of Redsea Riding facing sexual assault charges against minors.

“Applicants for a licence to operate a ride-sharing service are required to provide proof that it has obtained certified criminal record checks for all of its affiliated drivers,” the department said in a statement. “If the applicant is a corporation, a current Certificate of Good Standing from the Registry of Companies is also required to apply. Once licensed, the licence holder is required to ensure that all affiliated drivers have a class 4 driver’s licence and are not subject to a court-issued order prohibiting or preventing them from performing any function relating to providing a ride-sharing service.”