CTA to intervene in light placement case

Avatar photo

OTTAWA, Ont. — The Quebec Court of Appeal has granted standing to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) to intervene in support of a New Brunswick carrier who has been charged with violating Quebec’s Code de scurit routire over the placement of lights on the rear of a trailer. According to the Alliance, the case raises fundamental questions regarding federal versus provincial jurisdiction in motor carrier transport.

The case revolves around a ticket issued in Quebec to Midland Transport for violating the section of the Code which deals with the placement of rear marker lights on the back of a trailer. Midland fought the ticket in provincial court and lost, but argued successfully before the Quebec superior court that as a carrier within federal jurisdiction, it should only be required to conform to technical standards for lighting adopted by the federal government. Quebec is now challenging the superior court decision before the Court of Appeal, the highest court in the province.

“From CTA’s point of view, this case raises important constitutional issues which could have enormous consequences for the trucking industry” said CTA CEO David Bradley. “The appeal court must decide on the constitutional applicability of the relevant section of the provincial Code de scurit routire on a carrier within federal jurisdiction. It is one thing for provinces to set varying operating requirements for carriers to comply with but we have always understood that a vehicle manufactured to federal specifications should be free to travel anywhere the country. We are worried that this fundamental principle is at stake.”

CTA is being represented in this matter by well-known transportation lawyer David Blair from the Quebec City office of Heenan Blaikie Aubut. It is expected that the Court of Appeal will hear the case in the fall of 2006, following the submission of written briefs from the parties.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*