Ont Transport Minister likes speed limiters; Comments on series of trucking issues

TORONTO — Ontario Transportation Minister Donna Cansfield got a standing ovation from 600 Ontario Trucking Association delegates when she told them she’s receptive to the idea of limiting all trucks in the province to 105 km/h and is committed to working with the industry on the proposal.

The announcement, made last week at the OTA’s annual conference in Toronto, impressed the hundreds of trucking carriers, whose association first came up with the proposal to cap speed on trucks through their engines’ ECM in 2004.

She indicated that while further study into the proposal being conducted by Transport Canada is “fair,” Ontario is very interested in completing consultations on the proposal, which she said makes sense for many reasons.

Cansfield says she understands fuel efficiency benefits
of wide base tires at the same axle weights as convention duals

The Minister touched on several other hot button issues facing both fleets and drivers.

While she couldn’t comment on the state of hours-of-service implementation in other provinces, Cansfield said Ontario is on schedule to incorporate the federal regulation on Jan. 1, 2007. Details of the MTO enforcement strategy during the transition period will be forthcoming soon.

Alberta has already announced that it will not adopt the new HOS regime for provincial truckers until it has further studied the regulation.

Other topics the Minister commented on, include:

CVOR System & Pre-trips: Cansfield said the final report containing recommendations to modernize the CVOR system and facility audit protocols is close to being completed and she looks forward to reviewing the report citing this effort as a good example of industry-government cooperation. She added said the province will also adopt the revised National Safety Code Standard for daily pre-trip inspections shortly.

Wide-Base Tires: The minister said she understands the fuel efficiency and vehicle stability benefits of allowing single tires at the same axle weights as conventional duals, and that once the pavement impacts study being conducted by the University of Waterloo is complete, MTO should be ready to make a decision.

Re-Testing Drivers Over 65: The Minister said she’s taking a crack at reforming the controversial rule requiring drivers over 65 to be retested annually, based on a proposal by OTA.

Rest Stops in the North: In her travels by road across the province in recent months, Cansfield says she has become aware of many of the challenges truckers face while looking for a place to shut down while on the road — especially in Northern Ontario. She said in the short-term, she’s committed to at least plowing the snow out of existing rest stops this winter.