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.

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Emergency repairs ordered for Ambassador Bridge

WINDSOR, ON -- Transport Canada has ordered the Ambassador Bridge to make emergency repairs on the Canadian side of the international border crossing that connects Windsor, Ontario and Detroit, Michigan. Concerns reportedly involve railings and curbs, and require temporary concrete barriers to divide the traffic in both directions and separate it from the outside curb. "It's possible carriers and travelers could encounter some delays at some point, depending on how quickly the bridge [authority] reacts to the order," the Ontario Trucking Association says. Last year, Transport Canada also issued an order to the Detroit International Bridge Company to fix railings, concrete curb and sidewalk on the U.S. side of the span.

Truck World breaks attendance records

TORONTO, ON -- Truck World, the largest trade show serving Canada's trucking industry, attracted 18,820 people this year - breaking several records in the process. "We attracted more people on each of the first two days than we did during the opening days of any previous Truck World," confirmed Joe Glionna, vice president of Newcom Business Media, which produces Truck World and its companion Expocam trade show and also publishes this magazine. "The crowds of buyers and exhibitors speak to the strength of Canada's trucking industry and the event itself." There were 14,862 visitors who walked through the halls of Toronto's International Centre from April 14 to 16, interacting with 3,958 exhibitor representatives in more than 400 booths. Saturday's "family day" numbers dropped slightly, likely due to summer-like conditions in the area, he added. The show also saw a noticeable increase in attendees from Canada's South Asian community, in a year when a new relationship was forged with JGK Media, Glionna said. The company's Desi Trucking magazine was named the show's official South Asian Media Partner.

Tow Safety Week offers reminder to move over

MARKHAM, ON - It's been a year since Ontario updated its Slow Down, Move Over Law to help protect tow truck operators at work, but there is clearly the need for a reminder. The day before Friday's official launch of Tow Safety Week, Ontario Provincial Police who were closing a highway ramp had their cruiser hit from behind. That was within hours of a truck rollover where police watched a motorist weave through the pylons meant to protect emergency crews.

Fuel economy up 3% at 17 major fleets

NEW YORK, NY -- Seventeen major North American fleets - including Canadian-based Challenger Motor Freight and Bison Transport - boosted their fuel economy by 3% in 2015, according the Annual Fleet Fuel Study released today by the North American Council for Freight Efficiency (NACFE). Fleet-wide fuel economy increased from 6.87 to 7.06 miles per gallon (34.2 to 33.3 liters per 100 kilometers), representing the largest boost in eight years of consecutive improvements. And they saved just shy of $650 million on fuel bills when compared to the national average. Put another way, their individual trucks saved about $6,020 per year compared to the baseline of a "business as usual" truck that reaches 6.3 miles per gallon (37.3 liters per 100 kilometers).

Ayr barred from using Temporary Foreign Workers

WOODSTOCK, NB - Ayr Motor Express, which had actively promoted the value of Temporary Foreign Workers to address regional driver shortages, has been blocked from the program designed for that very thing. The federal government revoked the fleet's Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) in July, citing "false, misleading or inaccurate information in the context of the request for that assessment," according to Employment and Social Development Canada.