TORONTO- With that, Ontario’s Professional Driver of the Year Dale Cockins brought the entire Ontario Trucking Association Conference attendees to their feet in a spontaneous ovation.

Cockins, a 47-year-veteran, was telling the assembly about working at Meyers Transport in 2010 when brothers Evan and Larry Meyers passed the reins to their daughters Jacquie and Natalie Meyers, who now head up the company.

“Sure there were male chauvinist pigs saying women can’t run a company,” Cockins told the crowd, adding, “but they were wrong and there are no more male chauvinist pigs!”

The two Meyers women joined Cockins on stage for the ceremony. 

“For me, this award like going to heaven,” Cockins said. “At this point in my career, being recognized for doing a good job by the industry I love and have spent my life in is something that’s very special to me. I am extremely grateful.” 

He has been with Meyers Transport of Belleville for the last 22 years, originally as an owner-operator and currently as a company driver. In that time, he’s driven nearly nine million safe kilometres. 

The most gratifying point in his career? 

Delivering food and supplies for two months in 1998 during the ice storms of Quebec and Eastern Ontario that left people stranded with no heat or power. 

“It was trucks that got those people back on their feet – it was trucks!” he said. “I’ll never forget that – the smiles, the handshakes – just how thankful they were for every load. That’ll stay with me forever.”

As the Provincial Driver of the Year, Cockins is now eligible for the Canadian Trucking Alliance Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year Award. Volvo gives the award to a Canadian professional transport driver who holds a collision-free driving record, demonstrates a high level of professionalism both on and off the road and demonstrates courtesy within the industry and the public arena.