TORONTO, (Nov. 10, 2003) — Ontario’s newly appointed Minister of Transportation, Harinder Takhar, will deliver his first official address as an elected official to members of the Ontario Trucking Association when the group’s 77th annual convention kicks off on Thursday Nov. 13.

Minister Takhar will begin speaking at the convention’s opening ceremony at the Toronto Congress Centre.

The OTA says this year’s convention features more business sessions than ever to choose from. Included in the 17 seminars are topics covering: family business succession, managing load brokers, the Canadian dollar , Canada/U.S. border relations, and many more.

Also, the Technology & Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Associations is coming to Canada for the first time, where it will present a two-day conference and display for equipment, IT and logistics. The meeting will include separate technical sessions geared to both equipment/maintenance and information technology professionals.

Principal guest speakers this year include Globe and Mail editor-in-chief Edward Greenspon and National Review magazine columnist and former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum. Royal Bank chief-economist Derek Holt will deliver an economic update, and Global TV national news anchor Kevin Newman will provide political insight at the Opening Kick Off and Awards Ceremony.