REGINA — A recent joint meeting in Yorkton, Sask., involving cabinet members from the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments is significant, says the executive director of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association.

In an article in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, Al Rosseker heralds the discussions on the need for regulatory harmonization in truck transportation among the Prairie provinces.

"Levelling the playing field in the areas of weights, dimensions and regulatory affairs that concern the road transportation of freight and other goods has huge, positive economic outcomes, to say the least," he writes.

Rosseker says both provincial governments are to be commended for pursuing plans to equalize "the rules of the road" for truck transport — much the way Alberta and Saskatchewan already have.

"Trucking accounts for the movement of about 90 per cent of goods and commodities in Canada," he writes. "Look around wherever you are reading this and try to find three items that haven’t been moved by truck."

He says memoranda of understanding will provide more timely transport of goods, less red tape and duplication, reduced greenhouse gases and pollutants, and improved road safety.

"Well done, the governments of Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta. Stay the course on truck transport regulatory harmonization initiatives and continue to grow the economy."