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.

Thunder Bay truck vote pushed to September

THUNDER BAY, ON - A vote on proposed truck restrictions in Thunder Bay, Ontario will now be held in September, as the local business community pushes against plans that would close much of Arthur Street and Dawson Road (Highway 102) to anything above 15,000 kilograms.

Fight the Good Fight: It turns out you can fight city hall, and should

If the signs are any indication, municipalities would rather find a way to live without trucks. No parking. No idling. No Jake brakes. No trucks on this street or that. It's like we're living in the midst of a song by the Five Man Electrical Band. Remember the lyrics? "Do this. Don't do that. Can't you read the sign?"

Spear attacks lawmakers, pledges action

LAS VEGAS, NV - The president and Chief Executive Officer of the American Trucking Associations (ATA) launched a blistering attack on the record of U.S. lawmakers on Monday, pledging to take action on issues ranging from taxation to Hours of Service.