CHATHAM, Ont. — At the request of Tory MP Dave Van Kesteren, Industry Minister Tony Clement has ordered a comprehensive study of Canada’s medium and heavy-duty trucking industry.

And if Clement gets his way, the results of the study should be available by Spring.

Van Kesteren represents the riding of Chatham-Kent-Essex in south central Ontario and is a strong voice on Ottawa for the region’s vehicle manufacturing and trucking industries.

In the heart of Ontario’s finest agricultural land, Chatham is also home to what was once a dynamic Navistar factory, which closed its doors in 2009.

There are no plans to re-open the factory but a decision on its future is expected later this year. At its peak, the place employed more than 2,000 workers.

According to the Chatham Daily News, this study will give the federal government a picture of Canadian trucking’s strengths, weaknesses and capacity.

Van Kesteren says Canada has untapped potential, especially in the area of alternative-fuel engine manufacturing. He is also calling for tax incentives for natural-gas fuelled trucks.

"Going forward, this information will support Industry Canada’s work related to transportation manufacturing industries in Canada,’ Industry Minister Clement said in a media release.