Collenette to reintroduce MVTA reforms

OTTAWA (Sept. 28, 1999) — On the eve of a new legislative session in Ottawa, federal Transport Minister David Collenette today said he plans to reintroduce proposed amendments to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act that would create a more consistent approach to regulating the safety of commercial trucks and buses.

Collenette first introduced amendments in the House of Commons last March, but they did not complete the legislative process prior to prorogation earlier this month. He gave no indication of when the new legislation would be submitted.

The proposed amendments are intended to create a regulatory framework that both ensures consistent treatment of extra-provincial motor carriers and complements provincial regulatory efforts. They would maintain the existing structure for provincial regulation of extra-provincial motor carriers, but give Ottawa more control over how provinces administer and enforce rules governing safety performance, notably National Safety Code Standard 14.

However, in recent years the provinces have been unsuccessful at harmonizing their separate methodologies in order to make ratings consistent from one jurisdiction to the next.

Collenette added that this new round of legislation would not include provisions to deregulate the commercial bus industry.

“I remain committed to addressing the bus provisions,” said Collenette, “but I believe the important safety provisions included in the proposed amendments should not be delayed while further debate takes place.”

The issue will be referred to a parliamentary committee instead.