The HDVE Program is greatly contributing toward sustainability efforts within BC’s trucking industry, leading to significant environmental benefits. Through its fuel management course and rebates, the program has successfully facilitated the adoption of cleaner, more fuel-efficient technologies and practices among motor carriers in our province. And this Earth Day, BCTA is proud to announce the remarkable success achieved by the HDVE Program to-date. The positive impact the program is having on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and promoting overall environmental sustainability is truly significant. Since 2019, the program has removed over 300 million kgs of carbon dioxide from our atmosphere, over 111 million liters of diesel fuel burned, and the equivalent of over 64,000 passenger cars on our roads. For further details on the program’s accomplishments and its ongoing efforts, please refer to our news release. We encourage you to share this information with your audience to raise awareness about the crucial role BC’s trucking industry plays in advancing our province’s environmental sustainability goals.

Ever seen a sign that says something like “road restrictions”, “road ban”, or something indicating the maximum axle weight or percentage? While these signs may look and read differently, they all discuss the same thing: road bans. Road bans is a critically important topic for professional truck drivers to understand. This article is meant to help you understand how they work in Canada’s prairie provinces and where to go for accurate information. We’ve also included the links to the official provincial government websites for this topic in the References section. Read on to learn more! Note: if you’re reading this article on paper, the embedded links won’t work. That’s why we’ve put links in a numbered References section so you can enter them into your device. What are road bans and why do they matter? While roads may seem pretty strong, their strength varies greatly depending on the time of year. In Canada, harsh prairie winters cause water in the ground underneath the roads to freeze, creating a very hard road surface. In the summer, dry ground keeps the roads strong. In spring, though, many roads are weakened. This is because the solid ice melts under the road, creating softer ground conditions before they dry. Soft...

There’s a saying in Western Canada: “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes!” Sure, summers are hot and winters are cold and snow isn’t as likely in July as it is in February. But, this doesn’t mean that freak winter storms don’t appear when least expected! It’s not uncommon for cities like Calgary and their surrounding areas to see almost summer-like weather for days, or even weeks, during the early spring, and they suddenly get a late winter storm that ices over highways, shuts down cities, and makes it look like January. As a professional driver, you need to prepare for these types of conditions when driving in Western Canada. A little preparation goes a long way! Late Winter Storms A truck driver can see all four seasons in a day, especially when driving between the Rocky Mountains of BC and the foothills and prairies of Alberta. The same goes when driving between BC’s Lower Mainland and the higher elevation mountain passes to the East. Dry pavement can turn to snowy and icy pavement with little warning. And, since the spring and early summer are warmer, the ice-covered highways at this time of the year are often much more slippery than snowy roads...

More reliable travel is coming for people through the Fraser Canyon as work moves forward to permanently repair the damages caused by the 2021 atmospheric river event. To advance that work, Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon will require two full closures in the coming weeks. Highway 1 will be closed Tuesday, April 23, 2024, from 4:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Tank Hill, approximately 14 kilometers east of Lytton, to enable Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to conduct work to realign the railway track crossing the highway. The highway will also be closed Monday, April 29, 2024, from 7 a.m. until Tuesday, April 30, at 7 a.m. at Falls Creek (Jackass Mountain), while a new permanent bridge is lifted and slid into place. Arrangements have been made with emergency services to facilitate access through the sites during the closures. Drivers travelling between the Interior and Lower Mainland can take Highway 3 or Highway 5 as alternative routes. For up-to-date information about these closures and road conditions on alternative routes, travelers can monitor the forecast and visit: https://www.drivebc.ca/ References BC Gov News: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024MOTI0052-000584

A message from the Ontario Ministry of Transportation in regards to OO permits, as well as general travel info in relation to the solar eclipse on April 8th. In addition, prepare your drivers for the events on April 8th, and adjust travel plans, if possible, in areas that are experiencing a total or near total eclipse. The path of the total eclipse in Canada will travel through parts of South and Eastern Ontario, Quebec (including parts of Montreal) and the Maritimes. Travel is expected to be significant in these areas. In the US, the eclipse will begin in Texas and continue on a Northeastern path. Advise your drivers of what to expect and what to do to be prepared and operate safely. https://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/astronomy/eclipses/total-solar-eclipse.asp MTO message Further to the memo you received on March 1, 2024, the Ministry of Transportation is anticipating a significant influx of traffic within southern Ontario on all roadways April 7, 8 and 9 due to the solar eclipse. Volumes are expected to be heaviest the afternoon of April 8, once the eclipse has passed.  Those travelling on the highways should expect to encounter long delays on these days.  Permits will continue to be issued with the condition that...

E-Bulletin April 01/2024 The Ministry of Transportation continues to recognize that the transition to its provincially led oversight is a significant change to industry and is extending the education and awareness period for an additional three (3) months. To support the industry in adjusting to the new legislation, when possible, the ministry has encouraged our enforcement partners to educate the towing sector on the changes coming into effect. The following is a reminder of additional upcoming towing and vehicle storage oversight implementation dates: March 2024: On March 25th, the ministry published information to allow public viewing of an operator’s certificate status and their maximum rates for tow and vehicle storage services. To charge for providing towing or vehicle storage services, operators were required to submit their maximum rates by March 1, 2024.  Operators who have yet to submit their maximum rates, must take immediate action to do so.  Operators who require clarification about the maximum rates schedule, may refer to the ministry’s webpage or contact towing@ontario.ca for assistance. April 1, 2024: All tow trucks must enter truck inspection stations for the purposes of commercial motor vehicle inspection. July 1, 2024: Period of TSSEA education and awareness ends and full TSSEA enforcement begins on July 1, 2024. Tow truck drivers must have a certificate to drive...

E-Bulletin December 27/2023 Commercial Client Bulletin Reminder - Elimination of ACROSS Service Options (SO) 257 (RMD EDI) and 117 (PARS Paper)  TCC23-093 Start Date / Time End Date / Time Clients Affected 2024-04-15 N/A All clients and service providers who submit trade data using EDI. Description Please note, this bulletin was updated to provide additional detail on when the various service options can be submitted. The vast majority of commercial shipments are now released using the release Service Option (SO) 911 (Integrated Import Declaration). As such, there is no business reason, or other reason to maintain release Service Option 257: EDI RMD and Service Option 117: Paper PARS. The volumes of both these service options are minimal as commercial clients have shifted release request volumes over to SO 911. By decommissioning SO 257 and SO 117, the CBSA eliminates costly duplicative service options for both external commercial clients and the CBSA and simplifies the commercial importation process for importers/brokers and for border services officers. The two ACROSS Service Options 257 and 117 will be decommissioned and no longer available for use on 2024/04/15. The Paper RMD Service Option (174) will remain indefinitely. Furthermore, a Paper RMD can be submitted at any time up to 45 days prior to arrival, or 40 days after the goods...

E-Bulletin March 28/2024 New learning pathway for Class 1 drivers On March 27, 2024 Transportation and Economic Corridors announced upcoming changes to training requirements for Class 1 drivers in Alberta.  Until these changes are implemented, drivers will still be required to complete existing Class 1 driver training requirements to obtain a Class 1 driver’s license unless they qualify for an exemption. In addition, effective April 1, 2024, eligible farmers and their immediate family members will have the option to apply for a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s license. Upon successful completion of a Class 1 knowledge and road test, vision-screening, and submission of a driver’s medical assessment, the driver will be issued a farm-restricted Class 1 driver’s licence with condition code “P”, indicating they must comply with farmer restrictions.

E-Bulletin March 26/2024 Secondary Highways Start Spring Weight Restrictions Released on March 25, 2024 Spring road weight restrictions begin to protect a key part of Saskatchewan's transportation network as the province shifts from freeze to thaw. Road restrictions reduce allowable vehicle weights on rural municipal roads and secondary weight provincial highways by 10 to 15 per cent. During the spring thaw, these restrictions protect the surface and ground beneath these roads, which are softer and unable to handle more weight until conditions are dryer. The 2024 restrictions began this morning in the south and are expected to be phased in by region as warmer temperatures and longer days arrive. The 2024 spring restrictions will remain in place for up to six weeks. To check for the latest available information about which highways have spring weight restrictions, please visit: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/transportation-and-road-construction/information-for-truckers-and-commercial-trucking-companies/regulations-and-road-restrictions/increased-weights-and-road-restrictions. The newest order will be under the Spring Road Bans heading.

As you may have noticed, the OPP between Thunder Bay and Kenora have recently stepped up enforcement in regards to speed and distracted driving. This is in response to increased complaints from the public regarding bad driving habits, distracted driving and excessive speed. The proverbial “last straw” was a driver being pulled over for driving 27 km/h over the posted limit, watching a movie on his phone with his feet on the dashboard. While the final list of violations and the cost of said violations is unknown, rest assured that they will include a court date, and substantial monetary penalties. Speeding is one thing, but Ontario law requires a tractor trailer to be electronically limited to 105 km/h Period. Even if you are descending a hill, and your speed creeps up to 110, you can be ticketed for not having a speed limiter on your truck. Many times drivers had complained that they are not being treated as a professional. Well, if we want to be treated as a professional, then we have to act like a professional. We can do this by driving courteously, and professionally. Do not pass when it’s unsafe, watch your speed, especially in towns, cities,...

There has been a rise lately around insecure loads on open deck trailers. In one case a few years back, a driver in Georgia was stopped and heavily ticketed when it was discovered the 90,000 excavator he was hauling was completely unsecured. His excuse was the weight of the machine would hold it to the trailer. The rules for securing loads to a flat deck vary a bit between Canada and the US, with Canadian rules being a bit more restrictive. In general terms, if you secure a load legal for Canada, you should have no problems in the US. There are 2 methods of securing freight to an open deck trailer: Direct securement (chains and binders), and indirect securement (straps). Of the 2, indirect securement is the most common, and this is where most of the insecure load tickets and incident occur, so we’ll go over that one first. So how do you decide when to use chains and when to use straps? Chains are used almost exclusively for vehicles. Cars, trucks, vans, construction equipment, etc. pretty much everything else can be strapped. One exception is rail containers. If you’re hauling an empty rail container on the deck, you can secure...

E-Bulletin March 20/2024 Good afternoon, As you may know, the B.C. Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure recently announced two new regulatory requirements coming into force this spring: By April 5, 2024: Speed Limiters must be activated, set and accurately programmed to a maximum rate of speed of 105 km/h in commercial vehicles manufactured after 1994, with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 11,793 kg, that have an electronically controlled engine. By June 1, 2024: In-cab visual/audio warning devices must be installed in commercial vehicles equipped with a dump box capable of rising above 4.15 meters. More information regarding these requirements can be found in CVSE Bulletin #07-2023, recently updated to include Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), posted online at CVSE.ca/What’s New. Please share this information amongst your colleagues, members of your organization, and stakeholders. If you have questions not answered by the bulletin/FAQ, enquiries can be made to CVSE.modernization@gov.bc.ca and will be responded to by a representative. Thank you, CVSE General Inquiry

Ebulletin March 18/2024 Milton, ON:  The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada and Benchmark Sponsor, Ontario Truck Driving School, have announced that the 8th annual PMTC Canadian Private Fleet benchmarking survey instrument is now live! This study is open for completion by all Private Fleets which have a base of operations in Canada. PMTC Membership is not a requirement. “For the last 7 years the PMTC has partnered with the National Private Truck Council and re-introduced the first Canadian specific private benchmarking survey reports since 2011” remarked PMTC President Mike Millian. “The response to these surveys and the quality of the Benchmarking report produced have been gratifying and provide a valuable tool and resource to our membership. As a result, we are once again partnering with the NPTC for the 2024 Survey. The NPTC has been producing a private fleet benchmark survey in the USA annually since 2005, and by partnering with them again, the PMTC feels it is guaranteeing another quality and highly respected report for our members” The PMTC has a benchmarking committee, made up of Canadian operators who review the survey annually. The committee works on shaping the survey and updating it to ensure it is reflective of the current Canadian...

E-Bulletin March 15/2024 Stopping and Parking Restrictions for Commercial Truck Drivers in Glacier National Park In early November, Parks Canada proposed  stopping and parking restrictions in the Rogers Pass  summit area of Glacier National Park, BC due to  safety concerns.   Thank you for providing your input. Based on  feedback received, changes were made to the  proposed measures to better address concerns  from both the commercial trucking industry and  Parks Canada.  KEY CHANGES TO NOTE  Short 30-minute or less stops will be allowed in  the Rogers Pass summit area but longer stops to  sleep and overnight parking are prohibited.  The Sir Donald and East Glacier rest areas may  be used, if needed, for longer stops but space is  limited.  It is understood that commercial vehicles may need  to stop unexpectedly, whether to rest or for an  emergency. The goal is to ensure that drivers know  where they can stop safely and what to do if they  must stop in an avalanche area. Safe parking areas  are limited. WHAT COMMERCIAL TRUCK DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW  Parks Canada is responsible for the operation and  maintenance of 43 km of the Trans-Canada Highway  through Glacier National Park. Maintaining the  safety and reliability of this national transportation  corridor for commercial...