OTTAWA, Ont. — Canadian Trucking Alliance president David Bradley has given the green light to celebrate during National Trucking Week this week, despite a few “potholes” that continue to plague the industry. Bradley expressed his confidence that the industry can only strengthen thanks to the ongoing resilience of its workers. 

“Despite an optimistic start to 2012, some of you may once again be asking yourselves the same question again as the last two years: Is it really safe to celebrate?” Bradley said. “I honestly believe that when times get tough, this industry really shows its mettle. We’ve proven it repeatedly. There is no doubt in my mind that this is largely due to the unmatched Canadian spirit – which truckers exemplify through their dedication, no-quit attitude and acceptance of change – that helps us weather cyclical storms when they hit and puts us squarely on the road for growth and sustainability when the clouds part.”

In a message of thanks to the hundreds of thousands of Canadian men and women who keep the country’s freight moving for their contributions, Bradley  called on the Canadian trucking industry to come together to help promote trucking’s role in Canada and truckers’ overall dedication to safety and environmental enhancement.

“It’s often said that trucks are the lifeblood of the economy,” Bradley said. “But the truth is that without the hard-working and dedicated drivers, clerks, safety supervisors, mechanics, dispatchers and hundreds of other professionals that in some shape or form keep those trucks moving, the wheels would fly off of the economy entirely.”

Bradley said that National Trucking Week is a time for remembering the pioneers who laid the foundations for the industry and built the networks and institutions that support trucking today, but noted that the excitement for the industry’s future is what really makes the event special.

“When I look around and see our commitment to ever-improving road safety, including that of other motorists as much as our own; forming stronger dialogue between our industry, government and the public; and environmental responsibility unparalleled by any other transportation mode, I’m truly convinced that we have yet to fully spread our wings and the best days are ahead of us.”

Bradley also thanked Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his special greeting to the trucking industry this week. In a letter to CTA, Harper personally commended trucking industry professionals from across Canada for their service. 

“Your efforts are essential to the safe and efficient flow of goods across our country’s vast geography,” he wrote. “Trucking brings Canadians together from coast to coast and connects us with our trading partners.”