Hello everyone.
I would like to begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabe People.
I am honoured to be here for my first appearance as Minister and look forward to a constructive dialogue on transportation topics moving forward.
Today, I want to take a moment to recognize the vital role that Canada’s trucking industry plays in our daily lives and economy.
There are more than 1.2 million commercial vehicles on our roads, forming a powerful network that keeps Canada moving. These trucks transport hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of goods every year, connecting communities and fueling commerce from coast to coast to coast.
When we walk into a store and find shelves filled with fresh groceries, warm clothing or household essentials, it is thanks to the hard work and dedication of Canada’s truckers, who deliver those goods safely, reliably and often under challenging conditions.
The Government of Canada wants a safe, fair and competitive commercial trucking industry.
As Minister of Transport, I recognize the trucking industry landscape is changing.
One of the issues posing a challenge for the trucking industry is the “Driver Inc.” model.
Transport Canada is actively monitoring this issue and supporting Employment and Social Development Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency as they address the labour code and taxation implications associated with Driver Inc. practices.
But let me be clear: safety is non-negotiable. As a regulator, Transport Canada’s first priority is safety.
Regardless of an operator’s business model, safety matters.
In Canada, commercial vehicle safety is a shared responsibility among federal, provincial and territorial governments, along with commercial vehicle owners and operators themselves.
Transport Canada is responsible for certain commercial motor vehicle safety aspects under the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, including the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations. These regulations help to reduce the dangers of fatigue among drivers.
Provinces and territories are responsible for driver licensing, vehicle registration, rules of the road, and road maintenance.
And while provinces and territories are also responsible for enforcing federal motor carrier regulations, they have jurisdiction over intra-provincial carriers, also known as local carriers.
Our collective efforts to strengthen commercial vehicle safety are working. Between 2013 to 2023, fatalities resulting from collisions involving commercial motor vehicles decreased by more than six percent representing a meaningful improvement.
Together, we coordinate through the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators, known as the CCMTA to maintain and update the National Safety Code, that sets out 16 safety standards for the safe operation of commercial vehicles, drivers and motor carriers.
This Code continues to evolve to reflect new challenges.
For example, a new standard for electronic logging devices replaced paper-based logging records and was incorporated in the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations in 2019.
Electronic logging devices simplify record-keeping, and ensure compliance with the Hours of Service Regulations by preventing tampering with paper-based logs. This helps ensure all drivers stay safe, while also reducing driver fatigue.
In 2020, federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for transportation and highway safety approved minimum standards for truck driver entry level training in Canada.
That same Council of Ministers also recently asked the CCMTA to analyze safety certificates to address carriers with problematic safety records, also known as chameleon carriers.
This work has prompted the CCMTA to consider updates to the National Safety Code to make it harder for carriers with poor safety records to reinvent themselves. When this analysis is ready, the CCMTA will propose amendments to the Council of Ministers.
Collaboratively updating these standards – in a harmonized manner – supports safety for all Canadian road users while also reducing internal trade barriers.
And on the subject of internal trade barriers, there was an important event that took place in July to tackle these challenges.
At Transport Canada’s “trucking hackathon”, federal, provincial and territorial government officials gathered with industry representatives to discuss a number of topics. The hackathon was an opportunity to “hack away” at interprovincial trade barriers that affect the movement of goods.
It was also an opportunity to kickstart discussion and find agreement on measures to enhance internal trade and safety.
Together, we are building a safer, more resilient transportation system for all Canadians.
There is more to do, but we are going in the right direction.
I would now be pleased to take any questions you may have.