Can the challenges of our northern road infrastructure keep up with the opportunities for development?

WINNIPEG, Man. – The opportunity for developing Canada’s north has finally come, according to transportation industry experts speaking at Transport Institute’s Northern Exposure 2 conference here today.

Truck News March 2013

Click here to download the March 2013 Truck News Digital Edition…

When mental health issues arise at work, what should employers do?

As a boss, what do you do if your administrative assistant is clinically depressed? Give yourself a second to think about it. What would you say? And how would you say it, now that reports are piling up and she’s still on...

Are your data backup procedures compliant with CBSA requirements?

Understanding the transportation and logistics industry, Canada Border Services Agency regulations and the Patriot Act as they relate to your data can mean the difference between keeping your trucks on the road or having them parked while you...

Hold your water

While on the road, you often find yourself miles away from the next rest area; so, it’s necessary to be able to hold your water. You already know that a healthy bladder is important.

Coping with Sacroiliitis

The sacroiliac joints are located at the bottom of the spine where it joins to the pelvic bones. These joints play an important role in the movement of the lower limb. Just like most joints in our body, the sacroiliac joints can be injured....

Clean air standards caught in Canadian jurisdictional limbo

The heavy truck air quality regulations culminating in the 2010 “smog-free” truck engines have been heralded by governments and industry alike as among the most important clean air initiatives in history.

NOC and FCR: Both are overdue for revision

We seem to have general agreement that there is a shortage of qualified truck drivers in Canada, and now the attention of the industry and the government needs to be turned towards remedies.

Tax tips: Every bit counts

Usually, it’s easy coming up with topics for this column in March and April. I go to the Canada Revenue Agency Web site, read the “what’s new” bulletins, decide what’s useful or pertinent to Truck News readers, and...

Focus on yard security will make sure nothing ‘falls off a truck’

You know cargo theft must be a problem in the trucking industry when stolen goods are described as something that “falls off a truck.” It might be more accurate to say some of the goods simply roll through the front gate. A 2011...

Achieving a healthy lifestyle begins with an aspiration

I closed off my February column with a commitment to share some thoughts about how I keep myself motivated to exercise and eat right while dealing with the rigors of the trucking lifestyle. I started laughing at myself over this.

It’s time to get a handle on emissions-related breakdowns

I would like to use this  column as a way of sharing some of the things I’ve learned over the years, mostly about improving fuel economy and lowering maintenance and operating costs.

When hiring drivers, small fleets are at a major disadvantage

As small carriers, we often watch job applicants leave our offices confused as to why, despite seemingly acceptable credentials, they were not hired as drivers. Maybe I can shed some light.

Tail blazers

MONTREAL, Que. – Taking yet another step to reduce fuel consumption, Montreal-based Groupe Trans-West has installed trailer tails on the 120 trailers it uses for US-bound trips. The carrier values the monthly fuel savings at $54,000.

The risk in making safety a competitive battleground

The advent of the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program in the US has had a significant impact not only on how carriers manage their equipment and drivers, but also on how they sell their services.