TORONTO — National Trucking Week is right around the corner and the Ontario Trucking Association is helping fleets get into the spirit.

National Trucking Week 2007, which takes place September 9 – 15, is held to spotlight the important contributions made by the 400,000 Canadian men and women who keep the country’s freight moving.

The OTA is offering free posters, collector cards, discount cards for clothing stores and more with which to mark the week.

This year OTA and other associations across Canada will be using the week to raise awareness of the enormous strides forward the trucking industry has made in lessening its impact on the environment — specifically the unveiling of the 2007 model year truck which has introduced the era of the smog-free truck.

“Virtually everything you will eat, wear, use at work and the business inputs into virtually every manufacturing process were delivered by a truck. The old saying ‘if you got it, a truck brought it’ is as valid today as it ever was and that is a direct result of the efforts and dedication of the people of the trucking industry who make sure goods are delivered to market in a reliable, safe, environmentally sustainable and timely basis,” says OTA President David Bradley.

“During National Trucking Week we salute the men and women who form the backbone of the trucking industry and the lifeblood of Canadian commerce. Without them the country would literally stop!”

The OTA, in conjunction with the Canadian Trucking Alliance, is encouraging each carrier and supplier to undertake steps to mark the special week, says OTA communications manager, Rebecka Torn.

“Each year members of the trucking industry and its suppliers come up with a wide variety of ways to recognize truck drivers and other employees.”

Looking for celebration ideas? The Canadian Trucking Alliance website has lots. Check out www.cantruck.ca and click on the ‘Canada Moves by Truck’ icon.