Harper to tap new federal transport minister

OTTAWA — The revolving door at Transport Canada continues to turn as Prime Minister Stephen Harper is reportedly about to promote Lawrence Cannon and bring in Environment Minister John Baird to take over at Transport.

Health Minister Tony Clement is also expected to take on the trade portfolio.

It’s possible Baird’s stint as environment minister could have significant implications for trucking.

On one hand, the minister could take a closer look at tougher emission regulation policies. His experience in environmental issues could also spur incentives for expediting sales of environmentally friendly truck technology and fuel saving equipment like wide-base tires and long combination vehicles.

A recent report issued by the Senate Transport and Communications Committee recommended federal support of new technologies by the trucking industry through tax incentives and accelerated depreciation, and allow trucking companies to purchase newer, cleaner and more fuel efficient equipment by making changes to the capital cost allowance.

As transport minister these last few years, Cannon has been involved in many significant trucking issues, including finalizing hours-of-service rules, settling the labor tension between drayage carriers and owner-ops at the port of Vancouver, studying the implications of speed limiters on heavy trucks, advancing the plan to build a publicly controlled international bridge at the Windsor-Detroit Gateway and reforming Marine Atlantic.