OTTAWA, Ont. — According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) is about to increase the daily receipt-free meal allowance for drivers.

A court case in Winnipeg invovling trucker Don Wilkinson lead to the judge questioning whether the current limit is reasonable, particularly for drivers who travel to the U.S. Subsequent to the court decision, CTA staff held several meetings with CCRA to help build the case for an upward revision to the daily rate, which hasn’t been changed since 1991 when it was pegged at 50 per cent of $33/day.

While it was hoped that a final decision would have been made by now, CTA was advised earlier this week that a CCRA policy committee is currently studying three options, all of which imply an increase in the daily rate; a decision is expected late April/early May.

As well, over the summer new guides and fact sheets and an information circular will be prepared, and an announcement is expected summer or fall.

The CCRA as also led the feet group to believe regardless of when the announcement is made, the changes will apply to the entire 2002 tax year.