OTTAWA — A report issued by the Senate Transport and Communications Committee recommends that the federal government move forward on a handful of critical issues that were raised by the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA).

The report – entitled “Time for a New National Vision – Opportunities and Constraints for Canada in the Global Movement of Goods” – indicated that the government should support the adoption of new technologies by the trucking industry through tax incentives and accelerated depreciation, and allow trucking companies to purchase newer, cleaner and more fuel efficient equipment by making changes to the capital cost allowance. 

The report also recommends that the government classify long distance truckers as skilled labor to allow foreign workers to take advantage of immigration opportunities in Canada, encourage the adoption of provincial regulations designed to maximize the use of energy efficient technologies, and work with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) to harmonize those trucking regulations across Canada.

CTA CEO David Bradley called the report "a vindication of much of what CTA has been saying for some time".  He went on to say, "I’m very hopeful that with this new support from the Senate Transportation and Communications Committee that we may begin to see more action on some of these issues".