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.

Avatar photo

Diesel hit hard in Federal Excise Tax changes

TORONTO, ON - Planned changes to the Federal Excise Tax (FET) on diesel fuel would eliminate exemptions for Temperature Control Units like reefers, Auxiliary Power Units, bunk heaters, and Power Take-Off units. And that threatens annual refunds of $800 to $1,000 per tractor-trailer as of July 1, according to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA). "I am extremely disappointed," says chairman Gene Orlick. "The decision to drop this rebate is because another industry [airlines] abused the system, making unique claims for lighting and other electricity in their operations." When the Federal Excise Tax was first added to diesel in 1982, it was only meant to be applied to transportation fuel, according to a CTA briefing note about new language in the federal budget's Notice of Ways and Means Motion.

Canadian places first in SuperRigs Classic Division

JOPLIN, MO - Two Canadians have placed in Shell Rotella's famed SuperRigs show and shine competition, which attracted 89 trucks. Billy Baker of St. Catharines, Ontario placed first in the 34th annual event's Classic Division, with his 2000 Kenworth W900L. Andre Bellemare of Berthierville, Quebec placed second in the Tractor-Trailer Division with a 1995 Freightliner. Best of Show honors went to Jake Lindamood of Irving, Texas, for his 1988 Peterbilt 379, earning him $10,000 from Shell Rotella and $5,000 from MAC trailer. "We won Best of Show and got picked for the SuperRigs calendar which was super exciting," said Lindamood. "Winning Best of Show was huge and we are just beyond thrilled about it." About $25,000 in cash and prizes were handed out overall.