VANCOUVER, BC — Two top appointments have been made to the British Columbia Container Trucking Commissioner Office following the recent and sudden departure of its leader.

Corinn Bell has been named acting commissioner and Vince Ready was appointed acting deputy commissioner. Bell takes on the role after the sudden departure of Andy Smith on Sept. 16.

“Corinn Bell and Vince Ready were instrumental in producing the report that informed the Container Trucking Act and its regulations,” said BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone. “Both have the experience to ensure fairness and growth at the port, which plays a vital role in a strong British Columbian and Canadian economy.”

Bell and Ready co-authored a report on Port Metro Vancouver’s trucking sector following a one-month strike by truck drivers in March 2014. The Container Trucking Commissioner is one of government’s commitments under this plan. The Province enacted the Container Trucking Act in December 2014 to provide fair wages and working conditions for truckers and to ensure efficient operation and global competitiveness of Port Metro Vancouver.

Though the drivers ended the job action well over one year ago, enforcement of new regulations introduced to bring stability to the sector has been controversial, according to Unifor, which represents many drivers at the port.

Bell and Ready now will support the office’s mandate to ensure long term stability in the sector by being responsible for the truck licensing system that is in place following the license reform undertaken by Port Metro Vancouver; investigating, auditing and enforcing compliance of regulated and retroactive rates; setting any future rates moving forward based on consultations with industry and the Industry Advisory Committee; and overseeing the whistleblower line.

“It’s good news that we have a commissioner who knows the industry so we can move on with the urgent business of getting truckers their outstanding wages,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor’s BC area director, referring to the ongoing problem of rogue employers who are refusing to pay truck drivers the new standard rate. “We look forward to sitting down with Ms. Bell as soon as possible.”

Complicating matters, Port Metro Vancouver recently introduced limits on trucks that could cost many drivers thousands of dollars, according to Unifor.

“In the absence of a commissioner to keep the industry running smoothly, Port Metro Vancouver has made baffling and unfair rules that will only increase labor tension at the Port,” said McGarrigle.

Unifor filed in federal court on Wednesday to appeal the new truck limits and has vowed to fight rules that are not introduced without proper consultation with truck drivers.