TORONTO — The Missouri-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers is calling on owner-ops across North America to voice their opposition to the Ontario government’s plan to enact speed limiter legislation for all trucks operating in the province.

The group, along with its Canadian counterpart, OBAC, has been actively lobbying against speed limiter proposals in Ontario and neighboring Quebec.

The latter province recently introduced legislation that requires all truck engines to be capped at 105 km/h. But OOIDA says it’s received assurances from government officials the law is not to take affect until other jurisdictions implement similar rules first.

Ontario Transport Minister Jim Bradley has promised to table such legislation in the New Year. The controversial idea was first drafted by the Ontario Trucking Association, which won the support of former Transport Minister Donna Can earlier this year.

“In Ontario, the government has not yet introduced legislation, but at this point some officials are still saying they are committed to mandating speed limiters on all heavy trucks operating in and through the province,” states an OOIDA communiqué to members. “Now is the time for you to stand up and voice your opinion on speed limiters. Whether you live in Ontario, or another Canadian province or in the U.S. and drive in Ontario, you need to call or write the Ontario Transportation Minister and the Ontario Premier ASAP. Tell them your thoughts or experiences about speed limited trucks and how a speed limiter requirement will impact your business, productivity, or ability to haul goods into or out of Ontario.”

OOIDA Government Affairs Counsel Laura O’Neill said she wants truckers to get involved before Bradley fulfills his promise to file legislation to require speed limiters on all big trucks operating in the province. She urged members and other independent truckers to write to Ontario Transportation Minister Jim Bradley or Premier Dalton McGuinty expressing their concerns.

O’Neill echoed past statements by OBAC’s Joanne Ritchie, who is urging the provinces to wait on studies being conducted by Transport Canada before making any decisions about a mandate.

The feds are examining the possible effects of speed limiters on economics, trade implications and safety.