John G Smith
John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
Saskatchewan association continues carbon tax fight
REGINA, SK - Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is retiring from politics, but the Saskatchewan Trucking Association is continuing his fight against carbon pricing - and also recommending steps that should be followed if such a tax becomes a reality. "We have supported the provincial government's stance on a carbon tax since the beginning, and that has not changed," said Susan Ewart, executive director, when releasing a related white paper on Friday. "The actions the federal government is planning on taking for backstop jurisdictions are not trucking-friendly and place an unfair burden on industry. Proper policy planning will prevent those actions." According to the association, a carbon tax would create an administrative burden, give U.S. carriers operating in Canada a competitive advantage, create budgeting challenges for trucking companies, and create inequalities between different transportation modes because of exemptions for marine and aviation.
Researchers look to ID safe, young drivers
ARLINGTON, VA - Is it possible to develop a tool that identifies young drivers who match the characteristics of safer, older commercial drivers? That's something the American Transportation Research Institute is trying to find out - and it has unveiled the first phase of related research.
Kennedy top Canadian at inspection championships
ORLANDO, FL - Darren Kennedy of the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure earned the top Canadian honor at the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance's 25th annual inspector championships, making him the first to hold a trophy remembering contributions of long-time contributor Sean McAlister. Sean McAlister's wife, Beverly Spencer, spoke at the awards ceremony and helped present the first Sean McAlister High Points Canada Award to winner Darren Kennedy.The competition was held in Orlando, Florida, from August 7-11, testing participants on inspections covering everything from North American Standard Level 1 procedures to hazardous materials and dangerous goods, cargo tank and bulk packaging, and passenger carrier vehicles, and out-of-service criteria. Kennedy placed third overall in the category covering North American Standard Level 1 inspections. Lance Skoog of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General placed third in the North American Standard hazardous materials, dangerous goods, cargo tank, and bulk packagings inspection.