TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario Trucking Association president David Bradley wants the Ontario Government to make transportation infrastructure, particularly border infrastructure, and fair taxation for trucking companies integral parts of this year’s provincial budget. Bradley made the comments to Finance Minister Greg Sorbara at the Minister’s pre-budget round table consultation meeting in Markham Feb. 10.

“The Ontario economy is at a crossroads, making the 2005 Ontario budget pivotal,” said Bradley. Specifically citing the depreciation in the value of the Canadian dollar compared with the U.S. dollar, the uncertainty over delays at the busiest Ontario-U.S. crossings, and the rise of the Asian economies – particularly that of China, Bradley told the Minister that “how Ontario responds to these undeniable concerns now will have profound implications for the future prosperity of all Ontarians.”

OTA urged the government to play a role as facilitator, investor and leader in solutions to increase capacity at all land crossings such as the Peace Bridge, the Bluewater Bridge and the Ambassador Bridge.

On the taxation front, the association pointed out that there are two areas that are unique to Ontario-based carriers which put Ontario carriers at a competitive disadvantage: appreciation of the Canadian dollar; and the tax burden on business inputs. Ontario must ensure that its domestic tax policy allows Ontario industry to be competitive, says the OTA. “Ontario stands virtually alone in the way it taxes business inputs in the trucking sector compared to the rest of North American jurisdictions,” said Bradley.