CTA ‘ready to roll up sleeves’ and work with new government

OTTAWA — The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) says it is “looking forward to enhanced dialogue and consultation” with a government that no longer faces the daily threat of being brought down by disgruntled opposition parties.

The Harper government is in a better position to discuss policies and rules impacting freight transportation now that it has a majority of seats in the House of Commons, says a statement from CTA president David Bradley.

“CTA is ready to roll up its sleeves and work in partnership with the new government,” Bradley said.

In particular, he said CTA expects initiatives introduced by the Harper government before the election to provide tangible benefits to the trucking industry. A Red Tape Reduction Commission, Perimeter Security negotiations, and a Regulatory Harmonization Council should reduce administrative burdens, make borders more efficient, and provide real value-added benefits to membership in the “trusted trader” programs.

“We need to pursue opportunities to harmonize Canadian and U.S. regulations without giving up advantages that may exist in the Canadian way of doing things,” he said. He goes on record as saying CTA does not want to see harmonization with the proposed new U.S. hours of service rules.

Bradley is also looking for a “meaningful reconsideration of the proposed biodiesel mandate” which CTA has questioned for the impact it could have on the quality, supply, and cost of fuel, as well as the potential damage it could cause to engines.

“We will be seeking to find out whether some of the programs announced in the March budget are consistent with our proposals for encouraging voluntary investment in GHG-reduction technology to complement and enhance the impact of the federal fuel economy standard for heavy trucks currently under development.

Other points of discussion between CTA and the new Conservative government include:

* Tax measures to stimulate and accelerate investment in re-tooling fleets;

* A better use of our tax dollars – particularly with regards to the archaic excise tax on diesel fuel which the Prime Minister promised to repeal by 50 per cent during the 2008 election campaign;

* An increase in the level of provincial compliance and harmonization with the National Safety Code;

* The development of Canadian policies and rules on electronic onboard recorders, driver fatigue, and other safety initiatives; and

* the need for a new long-term, funded and sustainable program of highway investment.