OTTAWA (July 22, 1999) — Canada’s largest trucking association hopes to rally members to Ottawa in October for a good old-fashioned lobbying blitz.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance, a federation of seven provincial trucking associations with a combined membership of 2200, is organizing a series of meetings between trucking company leaders and federal government officials Oct. 18-20. The agenda is expected to include the importance of a national highways program, the federal role in truck-safety regulation, proposed regulations governing fall protection for workers, taxation issues, and cross-border trade.

“I can’t overestimate the impact that business leaders can have on policymakers,” said CTA vice-president of government and public affairs Massimo Bergamini. “Lobbyists are part of the landscape on the Hill. When those working in the industry take time away from their business to try to convey to an MP or a senior official the importance of a given issue, it makes a strong impression.”

Bergamini hoped the effort would be as beneficial for those in the industry as it is for government officials.

“This is a two-way education,” he said. “Bureaucrats and public officials can learn about the industry and its importance to this country. Conversely, the industry can become educated on the regulatory process. And so at the end of the day there’s better decisions made on both sides. Plus, it’s interesting and it’s fun to step into what is a different world.”

The CTA is located in Ottawa at 613/236-9426.