Minister of State for Transport says feds addressing trucking industry issues

Avatar photo

OTTAWA, Ont. — Minister of State for Transport, Steven Fletcher, told a gathering of carrier members of the Canadian Trucking Alliance that he will recommend the federal government moves to address several issues affecting the industry, including improving highway infrastructure, continuing to work on an electronic on-board recorder (EOBR) policy, and reducing the “regulatory burden” on the industry by streamlining rules from province to province.

Fletcher, who has been travelling across Canada meeting trucking industry representatives about the business issues they face, wrapped up his tour with a stop at the CTA’s annual spring retreat in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Fletcher said Transport Canada has a limited role in regulating trucking, but at the same time it is responsible for a number of issues affecting the industry, including Hours-of-Service and environmental regulations and ensuring that trucking safety rules remain consistent across the country.

“Your industry is a critical link in the supply chain that moves goods from producers and suppliers to markets. Without it, our domestic transportation system, our trade with the US and the entire Canadian economy would look about as good as the chances of the Phoenix Coyotes winning their division this year,” the Winnipeg Jets fan quipped, prompting chuckles from a room of more than 100 carrier owners and managers. “As the saying goes, if you got it a truck brought it.”

On improving border infrastructure, Fletcher emphasized the federal government’s recent spate of funding announcements for various Canada-US land crossings as part of the Beyond the Border Action Plan. He said the funding will increase capacity for commercial traffic, reduce wait times at the border and strengthen security.

“But crossing the border is just part of the journey. You also need good roads to get the goods there,” said Fletcher, adding that the CTA’s infrastructure wish list has been invaluable in helping the government prioritize projects.

He added that he and Transport Minister Denis Lebel are meeting with trucking industry stakeholders to guide development of a future long-term strategy under the Building Canada Plan.

Fletcher said that Transport Canada is working with the provinces and territories on Safety Rating Reciprocity and to establish National Safety Code standards. Based on the meetings with trucking associations across the country, Fletcher said he understands the importance of such issues as roll stability control, indemnification clauses in freight contracts, and EOBR legislation.

In response to a question of whether he will include a recommendation to adopt an EOBR mandate, Fletcher fell short of making a commitment, indicating there are still issues to be ironed out. However, he said “it seems like a no brainer” as a way to improve highway safety and level the competitive playing field.

A hot topic at this year’s retreat– the driver shortage – was another issue Fletcher weighed in on. He identified the driver shortage as a major problem – in particular “in the fast-growing Western provinces” – and acknowledged that efficient, free-flowing cross-border trade with the US is also vital to the health of the trucking industry.

Before closing, Fletcher highlighted his government’s “commitment to streamlining regulations and reducing the regulatory burden on Canadian businesses,” namely, for trucking, by harmonizing rules across Canada and with the US. “The goal is clear but getting there, as you know, can be more difficult.”

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*

  • This is probably just another photo op, for fletcher. No mention of trying to help increase the wages, and better the lifestyle, On going out west from where i live you had better have some contacts, before you go. It is not as easy as just showing up with a resume they do not like maritimers,and the good paying oilfield jobs are given to friends of friends, ask anyone who has tried and lost, The streets are not paved in gold out west like it is being promoted. Tony G.

  • How about narrowing down on non compliant fly by night brokers who have a safe haven in the Province of Quebec in particular and in Ontario. Annually struggling truckers lose in millions to these unscrupulous, unregulated brokers. The fix is a not so difficult just have to look south of border which is a much bigger market and much more structured. While the parliamentarians are busy tabling some very insignificant bill to show they are busy and here the bleeding keeps happening year after year.
    Rising cost of licensing and choice of opting out of WSIB for owner operators in favor of more robust disability plan is also hitting operators hard in Ontario.

  • He added that he and Transport Minister Denis Lebel are meeting with trucking industry stakeholders to guide development of a future long-term strategy under the Building Canada Plan.