OTTAWA, (Sept. 10, 2004) — Hundreds of thousands of professional Canadian truckers will have a week dedicated all to themselves starting tomorrow.

National Trucking Week gets set to roll this weekend. This year’s event — held annually to spotlight the important contributions made by the 400,000 Canadians who work in the industry — runs from September 11 – 17, 2004. The week also serves as a platform for raising awareness of how passenger car drivers can safely share the road with a truck.

“Grocery store shelves are stocked and the supplies we need for daily living are available when we need them, thanks to the country’s safe and reliable trucking industry,” says CTA chief executive David Bradley said in a press release. “During National Trucking Week we salute the men and women who form the backbone of the trucking industry. Without you the country would literally stop!”

Prime Minster Paul Martin issued a letter expressing similar sentiments. “This week Canadians pay tribute to the many skilled and dedicated professionals who work to ensure the safe and timely delivery of our nations’ freight,” he wrote. “I commend everyone involved in this process; your industry significantly affects our nation’s economy and thousands of organizations who rely heavily on your services each and every day.”

Various provincial trucking associations and their member companies are marking National Trucking Week by hosting activities and events all over the country. Some fleets are saying ‘thanks’ by treating their staff to special breakfasts, lunches or BBQs during the week, while others are presenting commemorative jackets, shirts and similar items to their employees.

Still others are holding community softball tournaments for the staff and their families. Other companies have said acknowledged the industry in a special newspaper supplement produced in connection with the event.

Contact your provincial association for more details.