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John G Smith
John G. Smith is the editorial director of Newcom Media's trucking and supply chain publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, TruckTech, Transport Routier, and Road Today. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.
Trucking went plaid for dad
TORONTO, Ont. – The trucking industry continues to wrap itself in Plaid for Dad to support Prostate Cancer Canada – and this year Arnold Bros. Transport even earned the coveted plaid vest awarded to the fundraising campaign’s top workplace champion. The fleet accounted for more than $19,000 of about $50,000 raised by 20 carriers and suppliers this year, according to Trucks for Change, which helped to coordinate industry efforts. It’s the first time an individual fleet has won the award, but trucking industry efforts have dominated the Plaid for Dad fundraising in recent years. An Ontario Trucking Association team earned the vest in 2016, while a Canadian Trucking Alliance team earned the top spot in 2017.
Peel testing off-peak deliveries
BRAMPTON, Ont. – Peel Region, on the western edge of Toronto, will run a pilot project to test off-peak deliveries between July and December – and it has recruited some major operations to participate. Participants include the LCBO, Loblaw Companies, PepsiCo, Walmart Canada, and Weston Foods. The region’s Smart Freight Centre will support the project with expertise from the University of Toronto, McMaster University and York University. Deloitte Canada will be advisors on the project. The goal is to help optimize highways and other major arteries in the area, focusing on where freight is moving, maximizing existing infrastructure, and seeing what infrastructure could benefit from new investment.
Canadian sales surged in April: WardsAuto
TORONTO, Ont. – North American orders for Class 8 trucks surged to 34,735 units in April – and Canada played a big role. This was the only market to experience a month-over-month gain, and the 5,815 units booked represented the country’s largest monthly order intake since early 2006, said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst for ACT Research. “The heavier end of the medium-duty market continues to outperform the lighter end, with Class 5 orders in April improving 4$ year to date, and the Classes 6-7 April orders bringing that segment’s year-to-date rise to 37%.” Freightliner led April’s Class 6, 7 and 8 sales with a respective 52, 170 and 931 trucks sold in Canada, according to stats provided by WardsAuto. But year to date, Freightliner still trailed International’s 514 Class 7 trucks and Hino’s 165 Class 6 units. Ford topped the month’s Class 5 sales at 429 units.
Class D changes effective July 1
TORONTO, Ont. -- July 1 marks Canada Day, but in Ontario it will also mean tougher standards for renewing Class D licences, as the province brings related medicals and knowledge and vision tests in line with other commercial classes. Class D licence holders up to 80 years old will now be subject to a Class D knowledge test and vision test every five years, when they renew their licences. Air brake knowledge tests for a Z endorsement will occur at the same time. Drivers 65 to 79 years old, with three demerit points or an at-fault collision on their record, will have to take a road test as well. Medical reports will have to be submitted every five years for those under 46, three years for those 46-64, and annually for those 65 and older. Forms will be mailed to licence holders 90 days in advance of the due date.
