MISSISSAUGA, Ont. – Canada feted its trucking industry Sept. 6 to 12 with National Trucking Week, but some drivers thought there should have been more recognition of the industry and its players during the event.

National Trucking Week is an annual event thanking the 400,000 Canadians who work in the industry.

Some carriers, companies and associations planned BBQs, breakfasts or presentations for their employees, while some newspapers carried advertisements and supplements. Be that as it may, some drivers didn’t even know it was National Truck Week, much less find an opportunity to celebrate their profession.

Truck News visited the Husky Car/Truck Stop in Mississauga, Ont. to see what National Trucking Week means to some of the drivers passing through Canada’s trucking hub.

Joe Comeau, an O/O from Ottawa, Ont. said he wasn’t even aware it was National Trucking Week.

“I haven’t heard anything about it so far, I’ve been off for two weeks on vacation so that may be why, but I do think it is a good idea,” said the Highland Transport driver. “In fact I think it should be more often than once a year, even quarterly. I think that it would get more people interested in the profession.”

Truck News also caught up with Robert Kalmbach, an O/O from Kamloops, B.C., just before he headed back to his truck for some much needed sleep.

“Well, I knew it was National Trucking Week because we read Truck News all the time. He said he feels some of the truck stops and companies in the U.S. tend to do more in terms of driver appreciation than their Canadian counterparts.

“It would always be nice to see events go on during the week, but we still have to make a living too, we can’t party all the time.”

Laurent Dupuis, an O/O from Ham-roc, Sask., didn’t know about National Trucking Week either.

“I didn’t know that it was this week. Actually, I haven’t even heard of the whole thing at all, I only started driving three months ago but I haven’t heard of any events or plans going on so far.”

The same went for Curt Ackerman, a driver with Diamond Towing in Newmarket, Ont.

“I drive heavy tow trucks so I tow all these big rigs around, I still try to keep up with all of the industry stuff going on, but I didn’t actually know it was National Trucking Week,” said Ackerman.

“For sure there should be more done, without the trucks the world stops, so definitely there should be more events in recognition of that and more driver appreciation days.”

Rajan Joshi, a company driver for TDS Trucking out of Brampton, Ont., didn’t know that National Trucking Week was imminent, but though it was a good idea.

“The first time I’ve heard of National Trucking Week is from you right here, it’s a good idea but I think there should be more promotion and more going on, even some sort of events where drivers from all over can get to know one another.”