Analysts: Participating in politics is crucial

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Engagement in the political process at a grassroots level is key to making headway on industry issues, experts are saying. This morning panelists at the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) breakfast meeting titled "Bridging Border Barriers" said fleets and drivers aren't engaged enough in lobbying efforts at home and in the United States. With the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on everyone's minds, the industry analysts said now more than ever engagement from the bottom up is crucial to having a say in the issues that will shape the future of trucking. President of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), David Bradley, said keeping members engaged, is a constant challenge faced by trade associations on both sides of the border. "I think at some point the carriers will become engaged, but I don't think we're engaged enough," he said. "If everybody does one thing, once a year, that helps." Bradley says it's not always enough to send executives and lobbyists to speak with legislators, because they don't own and drive the trucks. The stories need to be told by those on the road.

Stop thinking about ‘driverless’ trucks: CTA

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance has told Canada's Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications that truck drivers will continue to be needed as automated vehicle technologies advance. In fact, the technologies could make the idea of operating a commercial vehicle more inviting and accessible to a new generation of drivers.

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.

ACI turnaround option extended until Dec. 31

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is extending the turnaround option for drivers that arrive at the border without their advance commercial information (ACI) form until the end of the year. Recurring delays and outages at the border caused CBSA to make the exception on a 90-day basis back in May. Outages have continued, resulting in the policy being extended until Dec. 31, 2017.

Border Barriers: A trucking wish list for NAFTA

OTTAWA, ON -- So it begins. The North American Free Trade Agreement that governs every load of freight crossing the Canada-U.S. border is now formally being renegotiated. In the midst of talk about tariffs and taxes, however, regulators are also looking for ways to streamline the crossings themselves.

OTA supports zero-tolerance for drivers on weed

TORONTO, ON - As it engages in consultations with the provincial government, the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is supporting the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) position that the trucking industry should be held to a zero-tolerance policy on for being under the influence of marijuana.

Commercial vehicles are top priority: Goodale

OTTAWA, ON. - The Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, says the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has made improvements to facilitate the movement of commercial vehicles its top priority.

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."

Temporary fix to avoid ACI penalties

OTTAWA, ON -- Trucks that arrive at the Canada-U.S. border without Advanced Commercial Information (ACI) will for a 90-day period be allowed to turn around without incurring Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPS), Canada Border Services Agency has announced. eManifest requirements have been mandatory for highway carriers since January 11, 2016, and carriers still have to transmit cargo and conveyance data electronically before arriving at the border. It's good news for the Canadian Trucking Alliance. The group has recently been citing recurring delays and system outages, and for several months been working with the agency to solve issues surrounding the AMPS linked to ACI reporting requirements.

Clad in plaid for your dad

TORONTO, ON - The Ontario Trucking Association was the top fundraiser among workplaces participating in Prostate Cancer Canada's 2016 Wear Plaid for Dad campaign, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance is looking to build on that success -- and help fight a cancer that will affect one in eight men in their lifetime.

Industry faces time of change: Laskowski

BANFF, AB - From discussions about driver training to negotiations around the North American Free Trade Agreement, Canada's trucking industry is facing a time of significant change. And the Canadian Trucking Alliance is in the midst of it all.

Feds to toughen impaired driving rules under pot laws

TORONTO, ON - The federal government has officially unveiled its plans to legalize recreational marijuana by July 2018, and promises as well to introduce some of the toughest impaired driving laws in the world - complete with roadside saliva tests. Under the proposal, police would be able to demand oral fluid samples if they believe drivers have drugs in their body, and with reasonable grounds would be able to demand a blood sample. Punishments for those found driving under the influence of drugs including cannabis will become more severe, said Ralph Goodale, minister of public safety, during a press briefing on Friday. There are also plans for a "wide-ranging" campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of driving while impaired.

Laskowski officially named president of CTA

TORONTO, ON - Stephen Laskowski has officially been named president of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) as David Bradley prepares for his retirement at the end of 2017.

CTA supports livestock changes, but wants more

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is supporting the Canadian Food inspection Agency's plans to modernize the rules for transporting livestock - but wonders why certain livestock truckers are excluded from key aspects of the rules.

Excise tax campaign meets roadblock

OTTAWA, ON - The Canadian Trucking Alliance's bid to restore Federal Excise Tax refunds failed to find a place in the government's report on pre-budget consultations, but it was raised in the official opposition's dissenting report to the Finance Committee.