TORONTO — The Ontario Trucking Association is looking to expand what it calls “a-list private carriers” with the creation of the OTA Private Carrier Council (OTAPCC).

“The scope of the council will be mainly educational in regards to governmental regulations and industry best practices that impact private carriers,” OTA said in an announcement. “The council will discuss policy issues where required and provide feedback to OTA staff. It will also have access to new and excited networking opportunities.”

OTA said its membership currently includes about 50 private fleets and in recent years interest in joining the association has grown significantly as private and for-hire carriers have a common interest in most major policy and compliance issues, including areas of safety, environmental regulation, vehicle weights and dimensions like longer combincation vehicles, taxes and fees, as well as the driver shortage.

The group said it recognizes the unique nature of the private carrier role, so it wanted to create a forum where these and other companies can come together to discuss the issues that matter most and share best practices.

The council will have its own chair and vice-chair, which can be self-nominated and selected by the OTA nomination committee.

Both will serve a two-year term, must be an OTA member from a private carrier fleet and hold a position within their company that would make them potentially suitable for a position on the OTA board.

A yet-to-be-determined number of seats will be reserved on the OTA Board of Directors specifically for private carriers.

Current plans are for the council to meet twice a year, once in late spring and the other in November at the OTA Convention & Executive Conference.

The first meeting will be held on June 26 at the association’s offices in Toronto. A draft agenda for the inaugural event is available on the OTA website along with a registration form.

More information is available by contacting OTA’s Lak Shoan at 416-249-7401, ext. 235.