Canadian Trucking Alliance

Dirty Secrets: Carriers call for emissions crackdown

TORONTO, Ont. -- Clean air comes at a cost, and it involves the emissions-related changes to exhaust systems and engines, sometimes introducing added maintenance costs and reduced fuel economy in the process. That’s led to one of the trucking industry’s worst-kept dirty secrets. Many truck owners are reprogramming electronic control modules to bypass SCR (selective catalytic reduction) systems, which reduce unwanted NOx by introducing diesel exhaust fluid to the combustion process.

Don’t Waste Time: Let’s learn the lessons of a different ELD mandate

At first glance, the Canadian Trucking Alliance seems to be getting ahead of itself in the call for a “graduated education” period before electronic logging devices (ELDs) are mandated. The federal government has yet to finalize such rules, or even decide if it will embrace an accelerated December 2019 deadline the alliance is championing. Other than Ontario, most provinces have been silent on the idea, too.

New CTA chairman looks to raise regional voices

TORONTO, Ont. -- This isn’t the first time Scott Smith has occupied a seat at the head of a boardroom table. The president and chief executive officer of Ontario-based JD Smith led the Ontario Trucking Association from 2004-06. Now, just a little over a decade later, he has been handed the gavel for the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA). As familiar as the role might appear, this is a time of significant change among some of Canada’s largest trucking associations. Stephen Laskowski is entering his first full year as chief executive officer of the Canadian Trucking Alliance itself. Recent months have seen changes to senior staff at the British Columbia Trucking Association and Alberta Motor Transport Association, too.

‘Dear Sask. truck driver’ shows support for trucker in Humboldt crash

HUMBOLDT, Sask. – “Dear Saskatchewan Truck Driver.” So begins a note penned to the driver of the truck involved in a tragic collision that took the lives of 15 people in rural Saskatchewan, April 6. The truck collided with a bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos, a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team on their way to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask., killing 15 passengers and sending 14 more to hospital with injuries. The truck driver was briefly detained at the scene but walked away with no reported physical injuries. The letter offering support

More long-haul infrastructure needed to reduce carbon emissions: CTA

OTTAWA, ON – The Canadian Trucking Alliance says infrastructure and fuel technology has not kept pace with the trucking industry’s desire to reduce its carbon footprint. Submitting its comments on the upcoming federal Clean Fuel Standard regulation to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the group said the increasing environmental policies would have to address some of the implementation and infrastructure challenges faced by long-haul fleets, which consume the bulk of the fuel used by trucks.

CTA announces infrastructure wish list

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) released its trade infrastructure priority list today, providing it to Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau. The CTA says the list comes after consultations with its provincial associations to gather input on building stronger, more efficient trade corridors. The CTA created the list after Garneau announced more than $2 billion for the Trade and Transportation Corridors Initiative (TTCI), in early July. The fund is designed to strengthen Canada's trade infrastructure, including ports, waterways, airports, roads, bridges, border crossings, rail networks and the interconnectivity between them. The CTA's wish list meets the criteria of the program, and is being used to lobby for funds for these projects. CTA president Stephen Laskowski, says the list isn't exhaustive, but covers both specific projects, and general areas for consideration.

Alliance submits wish list for NAFTA talks

TORONTO, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has officially submitted comments on cross-border trade to Global Affairs Canada, as governments prepare to renegotiate aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The association's submission covers 11 related areas of interest including: in-transit truck moves, cargo pre-clearance, government investment at ports of entry, harmonization of security programs, the trend in rising cross-border fees, the movement of food products and related inspections, and e-commerce, among other topics. "Many of the comments by the carrier community contained in our submission are longstanding issues that have been impeding cross-border trade," said president Stephen Laskowski. "CTA is eager to work with Ottawa, Washington, and the business communities on both sides of the border to try and resolve these issues for the betterment of the economies in the U.S. and Canada."