Tellier seeks cooperation from truckers

TORONTO (Nov. 18, 1999) — Canadian National Railway president and CEO Paul Tellier told delegates to the Ontario Trucking Association’s annual convention that there’s more to be gained from cooperation than confrontation.

“I’m suggesting to you, the trucking industry, that it’s time to address the efficiency issue as a whole,” Tellier said. “It’s time to get together and compare notes.”

In remarks that deviated in several substantial ways from a prepared speech, Tellier suggested that the inequities faced by both trucking and rail could be better addressed if both industries presented a common front when dealing with government. They were directed at the competitive advantages American truckers and railroaders enjoy over their Canadian counterparts; in particular, unfavorable tax treatment, traffic density and lane utilization, complex regulations and infrastructure funding problems.

“Canada must match American regimes that have made (the U.S.) system the most efficient and low-cost rail system in the world,” he said.

Obviously mindful of the fact that he was addressing a room full of both competitors and customers, the tone of the speech was decidedly conciliatory. Tellier struck comments that were in the prepared text (which was released to newswires just hours earlier) which said, “Regulations should encourage rail where it makes sense. That means hours of operation regulations for trucks that don’t encourage long hauls that should be put on rail,” and, “Both your industry and ours will benefit if more shippers move traffic from highways to rails. You reduce the highway congestion that is choking your ability to move. We increase our density, making our networks more viable.”

Instead of the vaguely inflammatory remarks, Tellier told the nearly 1000 delegates, “You’ve been eating our lunch every day of the week. I’m very impressed by the way you service your customers. I wish we could accomplish the same level of service.”

In concluding his presentation, Tellier suggested that both industries could profit from “speaking with one voice to get the attention required to put our issues at the top of the public agenda,” adding, “You know as well as I do that government can’t solve all the problems.”

In another surprising move, Tellier suggested that he might consider asking the Railway Association of Canada, that industry’s lobby group, to reconsider the funding of anti-trucking lobby group Canadians for Reliable And Safe Highways.

“I’m ready to raise the issue with my colleague,(CP Rail president) Rob Ritchie,” he said. “It’s very difficult to suck and blow at the same time. It’s very difficult for me to say to you, ‘Let’s work together’ [when the RAC is funding CRASH]. You have my commitment that we are not alone at the RAC in thinking this way.”

OTA president David Bradley said he was encouraged by Tellier’s comments.