Desi Trucking - November December 2025 (National Edition)
Even though some perceived 2025 to be a better year than 2024, many in the industry continued to struggle. Higher operating costs, compliance burdens, security risks and difficulty attracting new recruits are just some of the major issues. That being said, not all was in the negative. This year saw an increase in freight markets and higher freight rates. Combined with an increased use of technology, including AI, the coming year looks promising.
During the COVID years, the frontline workers in our industry, the drivers themselves, were seen as heroes as they made sure food, medications, vaccines, and other essentials were delivered. In the past while, due to some unfortunate circumstances by a few bad apples, these heroes’ image has been tarnished. But it’s far from reality. Most drivers are good, and continue to do their jobs with integrity, honesty and professionalism. Let’s keep giving them the respect they deserve.
Speaking of respect, in October of this year, the 3rd Annual Metro Vancouver Transportation Night (MVTN) took place. The event, with over 280 attendees, was highlighted by 4 scholarships, along with awards for Driver of the Year, Employee of the Year, Woman of Influence of the Year, and a Lifetime Achievement Award. Guest speakers provided the audience with valuable information about resources, incentives and ways to lower operating costs. In addition, Jasmine Kang (Cummins VP of Canadian Operations) gave a riveting talk that reflected her own experiences in the industry. We look forward to the 4th Annual MVTN event next year. JGK Media Group would like to send our heartfelt gratitude to our guest speakers and all those who attended.
As the last months of 2025 are upon us, take some time to reflect on the past year. Yes, things have been difficult; but 2026 looks promising. Drive safe, enjoy the Holiday Season, and let’s work to reenergize trucking.
AkqUbr iv~c, qIsrI swlwnw mYtro vYnkUvr tRWsportySn nweIt (MVTN) hoeI[ 280 qoN v~D hwzrIn dy nwl ies smwgm ƒ 4 skwlriSpW duAwrw aujwgr kIqw igAw sI, ijs iv~c frweIvr AwP dI XIAr, krmcwrI AwP dI XIAr, vUmYn AwP dI ienPlUAYNs AwP dI XIAr, Aqy lweIPtweIm AcIvmYNt Avwrf dy purskwr Swml sn[ mihmwn bulwirAW ny drSkW ƒ sroqW, pRoqswhn Aqy EpryitMg KricAW ƒ Gtwaux dy qrIikAW bwry kImqI jwxkwrI pRdwn kIqI[ ies qoN ielwvw, jYsmIn kWg (Cummins VP of Canadian Operations) ny ie~k idlcsp BwSx id~qw jo audXog iv~c ausdy Awpxy qzribAW ƒ drswauNdw hY[ AsIN Agly swl cOQy swlwnw MVTN eIvYNt dI aufIk krdy hW[ JGK
Media Group Awpxy mihmwn bulwirAW Aqy hwzr hox vwly swry lokW dw qih idloN DMnvwd krnw cwhuMdw hY[
ijvyN ik 2025 dy AwKrI ku`J mhIny bcy hn, ipCly swl 'qy ivcwr krn leI k`uJ smW k~Fo[ hW, cIzW muSkl rhIAW hn; pr 2026 au`jvl lgdw hY[ sur~iKAq g~fI clwE, Cu~tIAW dy mOsm dw AnMd lE, Aqy AwE tr~ikMg ƒ muV surjIq krn leI kMm krIey[
Jag Dhatt; Michael Howe; Pash Brar; Ray Gompf; Ron Dhaliwal; Jimmy Gill; Sanjana Karthik; Staff Reporters
Translator
Tirath S. Khabra
Cell: 604-767-4433
jag@jgkmedia.ca
F: 604-598-9264
Jag Dhatt
3rd Annual Metro Vancouver Transportation Night Brings Together Trucking Community
The 3rd Annual Metro Vancouver Transportation Night (MVTN) took place on October 2nd, 2025, at the Aria Banquet and Convention Centre, impressing guests from near and far. More than 265 attendees, all from the trucking industry, were welcomed with some great keyboard music. Guests then took the opportunity to enjoy appetizers, have some cocktails and mingle with other industry professionals before the event began.
In the few past years, the
transportation industry struggled to regain its momentum, as shown by low sales and load volumes. And the Trump factor hasn’t helped our industry as well. Industry growth could be described as conservative, making the theme for 2025 – “Energizing Trucking” – an appropriate one. The guest speakers, from across North America, shared insights and views on how to energize our trucking industry. In addition, many shared specific ways to not only grow your business, but also find resources to assist companies, whether local,
national, or North American.
MVTN 2025 guest speakers came from a broad spectrum, specializing in diverse roles expertise. The revered list included Dave Earle, President, BC Trucking Association; Charlie Cubeta, Senior Manager, Samsara; Jason Scultety, Senior Key Account Manager, BC Hydro; Tina Capobianca, Senior VP, JD Factors, Nelson Gonzalez, Senior Manager, ICBC, and Amit Bhardwaj, Partner, Golden Express Trucking. Steven Haywood, Executive Director at
CVSE could not make the event, but he will be doing a virtual seminar soon.
Jasmine Kang, VP Operations at Cummins Canada, gave the keynote address. Her words of hard work, integrity, and having a positive outlook, taken from her own experiences, resonated with attendees.
All guest speakers captured the audience’s attention, as many wanted to learn of new ways to improve their fleets and/or businesses. Following the presentations, many company owners
connected with guest speakers to gain more insights.
MVTN 2025 continued to grow its scholarships and awards. This year, four scholarships were awarded; Grade 12 students, Lincoln Grewal and Sehaj Kaur Benipal, each received scholarships in the amount of $1500 towards postsecondary education. University students Tarandeep Sidhu and Haiman Johal also received scholarships in the amount of $1500 to continue their postsecondary studies. Sukhminder Chohan of Northwest Freightways was the
recipient of the prestigious Driver of the Year Award, sponsored and presented by Volvo Trucks Canada. Parveen Sran of Triple Eight Transport Inc. received the prestigious Employee of the Year Award, sponsored and presented by JGK Media Group. And finally, Sandra Stashuk from the BCTA received the inaugural Woman of Influence Award.
“We will continue to support the coming generations with their educational goals,” said Sepehr Saebnia, President of Cool Heat Truck Parts.
PARVEEN SRAN EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR 2025
SUKHMINDER CHOHAN DRIVER OF THE YEAR 2025
SANDRA STASHUK WOMEN OF INFLUENCE 2025
KEN MOSS
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
“To see the scholarship category double in just one year is an amazing feeling. And we hope to grow it for next year too,” added Bobby Saini of JGK Media Group.
“Volvo Trucks Canada is proud to support and recognize the Driver of the Year Award,” said Blair Mcgeough, Volvo Trucks District Sales Manager. “To recognize a driver like Sukhminder is an honour because he practices the values of safety and integrity that are the backbone of Volvo Trucks.”
“Parveen Sran is a Planning Supervisor, and she’s demonstrated excellent work ethic, integrity, and the ability to step up when needed. Thus, she’s a fitting recipient of the Employee of the Year Award,” said Ron Dhaliwal of the APNA Truck Show.
Following the event, organizers received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Some comments include:
Dariusz Malinowski: Thank you for hosting another great event. We had a
great time and look forward to next year.
Victor Grigoletto: MVTN is a great event for our team to connect with the fleets in the area. We are happy to support this event.
Jas Purewal: Thank you thank you for such a wonderful evening last night. We were so happy to be a part of it and look forward to many more.
JGK Media Group is honoured to work with such a diverse group of supporters, partners, guest speakers and attendees. This year again, thank you to the Canadian Trucking Association and the Port Transportation Association for helping organize MVTN 2025.
About JGK Media Group
JGK Media Inc. is a leading media company based in British Columbia that has helped companies meet their marketing and communication goals since 2008. Serving across North America, JGK Media Group prides itself in bringing various industries together through print, digital, and face-to-face platforms.
For more information, visit www. jgkmedia.ca or contact Jag Dhatt at jag@ jgkmedia.ca.
SEHAJ KAUR BENIPAL Scholarship Winner
LINCOLN GREWAL Scholarship Winner
HAIMAN JOHAL Scholarship Winner
TARANDEEP SIDHU Scholarship Winner
suDwr dI Aws krdy hoey, swnUM 2026 dI aufIk
ipCly k`uJ swl tr~ikMg leI kw&I muSkl rhy hn[ ies nwl purwxy juVyy hoey lok sur~iKAw dIAW sMiKAwvW Gtx kwrn tr~ikMg C~f cu~ky hn Aqy s~c pu~Co qW auh isr& ie`k AMkVw bx ky hI mrnw nhIN cwhuMdy[ sVk au~qy GtnwvW dI sMiKAw, jo pUry dyS iv~c swlwnw qkrIbn 3,000 ho skdI sI ij~Qy lgBg 2% tr~k fRweIvr dI glqI sI, hux Ontario dy isr& OPP vwly hweIvyz 'qy pUry dyS dy nwloN ds guxw v~D cu~kI hY[ isr& Ontario iv~c 30,000 qoN v~D durGtnwvW hI kw&I lokW ƒ ieh DMdw C~fx leI frw idMdIAW hn[
tr`ikMg dy ipCly ku`J swl ies Kyqr bwry G`to-G`t ku`J kihx dI koiSS kr rhy hnaux dy Kyqr iv~c ipCly ku`J swl G~to G~t kih ky kw&I muSkl rhy hn[ purwxy mohry sur~iKAw sMiKAwvW kwrn tr~ikMg C~f cu~ky hn Aqy s~c pu~Co qW auh isr& ieh nhIN cwhuMdy ik auh vI iek AMkVw bx jwx[ sVk au~qy Gtnw dr sMBvq
QoVHI kwt purwxw swlW iv~c mulk Br iv~c
isr& Ontario iv~c hI 30,000 qoN v~D durGtnwvW lokW ƒ ieh vpwr C~fx leI kw&I frwauxw hY[
3,000 prqI swl ho skdI sI, ijs iv~c lgBg 2% tr~k frweIvr dI glqI sI, pr Ontario iv~c isr& OPP ingrwnI vwlIAW hweIvyz 'qy ieh dr dyS p~Dr dI ivroDwqmkqw nwl ds guxw vD geI hY[
BwVy dIAW drW Aqy siQrqw bwry ilKx leI jhwz durGtnw dy AMkiVAW qoN SurUAwq krnw QoVw Aijhw l~g skdw hY, pr ieh khwxI dw v~fw ih~sw hY[ sdIAW qoN audXog iSkwieq krdw irhw hY ik fRweIvrW dI Gwt hY, qW srkwr ny ivdySI mzdUrW ƒ kYnyfw Aw ky auh kMm krn leI bulwieAw ijs ‘c kYnyfIAn lokW dI bhuq G`t rucI sI[ ies nwl auhnW lokW leI knyfw dy drvwjy K`ulH gey ijnHW dy mnsUby ^rwb sn, qW ik auh audXog dw Pwiedw auTw skx[ A~j, AMdwzw hY ik kYnyfw iv~c 15% jW ies qoN v~D tr~k fRweIvr iksy nw iksy rUp dI gulwmI vwlI b`dqr hwlq dy hyT kMm kr rhy hn, ij~Qy aunHW nUM mwlk aunHW dy kIqy kMm dy pYsy vI pUry nhIN idMdyy[ iesdw nqIjw ieh hY ik tr~ikMg kMpnIAW dy mwlk, Awm qOr 'qy auh kMpnIAW jo 10 jW ies qoN G~t tr~kW vwlIAW huMdIAW hn, Aqy bVI Awm g~l ieh hY ik auhnW kol ie~k qoN v`D CVOR huMdw hY qW jo jd auhnW dy CVOR ƒ r~d krn leI kwPI aulMGxwvW krn dIAW iSkwieqW ho jWdIAW hn,qW auh isr&
jI ryA gON&, sI fI
AwpxIAW gqIivDIAW ƒ iksy hor CVOR 'qy SurU kr idMdy hn ijs qy koeI aulMGxw dI iSkwieq nhIN huMdI, sMBvq: auhnW dy borf ivc v~Kry mYNbr ho skdy hn[ pr ieh koeI hYrwn krn vwLI g`l nhIN hY, ies qrHW dIAW hyrwPyrIAW krnIAW ienHW lutyirAW leI sDwrx ijhI g`l hI hY[
ieh CotIAW kMpnIAW qYA hoeIAW drW ƒ Gtw ky kwrobwr kr rhIAW hn Aqy kw&I ivAwsq rihMdIAW hn ikauNik auh Awpxy kwimAW nUM G``t, blik lgBg nwmwqr mzdUrI idMdIAW hn[ iehI kMpnIAW murMmq krvwaux ‘qy vI kMjUsI krdIAW hn ijs nwl kwrobwr nUM clwaux vwly ^rcy vI kw&I G~t rihMdy hn[ auHnW ny ifiztl lOigMg isstm ƒ vI cwlwk lokW dI mdd lY ky hyrw PyrIAW krn dy qrIky l~B ley hn qW jo tr~k 24/7 clw skx Aqy cYikMg smyN pihlI nzr ‘c kwƒnI idKweI dyx[ ijs ih~sy 'c ^rcy k~ty jWdy hn auh hY tRyinMg[ ieh nOkrW dI kwblIAq ieMnI G~t hY ik aunHW ƒ AMfrtRynf kihxw vI v~fw kihxw hY[ieh kMpnIAW ijMnw sMBv ho sky gYr-kwƒnI ny, aunHW dy mukwbly dUjIAW CotIAW kMpnIAW jo inXmW dI pwlxw pUrI qrHW krdIAW hn, auh Awpxy Krcy v bhuq muSikl nwl pUry tr~ikMg ieMfstrI dI siQqI
krdy hn, lwB hox dI qW g`l hI dUr hY[
ieMfstrI Ajy ies mMdVy hwlq q~k nhIN phuMcI, ik ies nUM pUrI qrHW dubwrw suDwrnw AsMBv ho igAw hY, pr ies leI s^q imhnq qy auprwilAW dI loV pvygI[ kyNdrI srkwr ƒ iemIgRySn nIqIAW ƒ TIk krn dI jrUrq hY, sUbweI srkwrW ƒ ieh XkInI bxwauxw cwhIdw hY, ik fRweIvr tYst shI qrIky nwl Aqy ibnW irSvq dy qW nhIN leI jWdy Aqy tRyinMg skUlW ƒ iksy Swrtk~t dy ibnW kuSl fRweIvr iqAwr krny pYx dI loV hY[PTTAC pihlW hI kMm kr rhI hY ik tr~k tRynr dyS Br iv~c ie~k sWJw tRyinMg pRogrwm SurU krn[ Xojnw ieh hY ik fRrweIvr ie~k Red Seal Skilled Trade Certificate, lYx ‘c kwmXwb hox vwly hox, jo isrP mnzUrSudw tRyinMg kyNdrW v~loN id~qI jwvygI[ ies nwl auh tRynrW 'qy dbwA pvygw jo jrUrI kuSlqw vwly fRrweIvr iqAwr nhIN kr rhy[ isrP auh pUrI qrHW tRyNf, kuSl fRweIvr jo vpwr dy qrIkIAW ƒ jwxdy hn, Aqy nwl hI auh fRweIvr aunHW mwlkW leI kMm krn qoN bcxgy jo Swrtk~t lYNdy hn[
dyS Br iv~c gMBIr durGtnwvW dI mOjUdw sMiKAw iPr vwps kw&I G~t jwvygI, ijs krky sVkW nzdIkI qOr au~qy izAwdw sur~iKAq bx jwxgIAW[ rytW ‘c ktOqI krn vwlI tolI iksy hor audXog ƒ nukswn phuMcwaux leI cuxygI, Aqy tr~ikMg ƒ iPr qoN ie~zq imlygI[ drW siQr hoxgIAW Aqy audXog iv~c bi`cAW leI n&w kmwaux dI aumId shI kwiedy imAwrW dy Anuswr kMm krn ivc shwiek bxygI[ Agly, bImw drW kyvl h~ly-h~ly vwDy vwly h~d iv~c vwps Aw jwxgIAW[
2026 inSicq qOr 'qy tr~ikMg audXog leI ibhqr hoeygw[ myry ivcwr Anuswr pihlw sUck ieh hY ik PTTAC ny ikMnI qyzI nwl bhuq swirAW dI soc ƒ bdl id~qw hY Aqy Agly k`uJ mhIinAW iv~c loVINdy pMj pRWqW ƒ Swml kr lvygw ijnHW ‘c tr~k clwauxw rY~f sIl mwihr kwrobwr vjoN drj ho sky, ij~Qy tRyinMg rwStrI p`Dr dy imAwr vwlI hovygI[ ij~Qy nvyN lweIsYNs pRwpq tr~k cwlkW kol Awpxy jIvn kwl leI kYrIAr dy mOky hoxgy Aqy Awpxy hunrW ƒ Apfyt krvwaux dy mOky aunHW dy hunr ivkws iv~c ie~k kdm vjoN
mMny jwxgy[ ij~Qy hr mwihr cwlk dy AMdr ieh igAwn hovygw ik auh AwiKr aus kwbIlAq vwlw hY, jo aus swjo-smwn ƒ clwaux leI Xog hY ijs ƒ clwaux leI auh inXukq kIqw igAw hY[ieh tryinMg soc ƒ rwStrI p`Dr 'qy stYNfrfweIzf krnw Aqy stIk tYsitMg leI koeI Swrtk~t nw lYxw auhnW EprySnl ivAkqIAW dI XogqwvW 'qy ivSvws pYdw krygw Aqy swfy hweIvyz ƒ A~j dy hweIvy dI dihSq nwloN byh~d sur~iKAq bxweygw[
Aglw sMkyqk hY PTTAC iv~c sd~sqw r~Kx vwlIAW shwieqw sMsQwvW dI igxqI Aqy iviBMnqw[ v~fy kYrIAr, bImy vwLIAW ivSwl, ibhqr qrbIAq vwlIAW PYkltIAW, tr~ikMg audXog leI keI shwieqw syvwvW jo tr~ikMg dI qwkq 'qy ivSvws krdIAW hn Aqy auhnW 'qy rok lwauNdIAW hn jo AwpxI rozI rotI leI iBRStwcwr ƒ vrqxw Aqy mzw lYxw cwhuMdy hn[ ij~Qy isrP TIk qrbIAq pRwpq Aqy hunrmMd lok 2026 iv~c kYnyfw dIAW sVkW 'qy sur~iKAq qrIky nwl clwauNdy hn[
BY RAY GOMPF
Will Trucking Be Better in 2026?
The last few years in trucking have been trying to say the least. Old hands have given up trucking because of the safety statistics and frankly, they simply don’t want to end up a statistic. The on-road incident rate has gone from possibly 3,000 per year across the nation while around 2% were the fault of the truck driver and increased to ten times that of the entire nation to just the OPP patrolled highways in Ontario. Over 30,000 wrecks in Ontario alone simply terrifies enough people to quit the business.
To start a piece on freight rates and stability by quoting wreck statistics may seem a little incongruent but it’s a big part of the story. For decades, the industry has complained there was a driver shortage, so the government
invited foreign workers to come to Canada and do jobs that Canadians weren’t available, or willing, to do. This opened doors for those with evil intentions to exploit the industry. It is estimated that 15% or more of truck drivers today in Canada are operating under some sort of indentured servitude arrangement in which they’re not being paid for their efforts. Subsequently, the owners of these trucking companies, usually companies with ten or less trucks, and too often with more than one CVOR, so that when they get enough violations to cancel their CVOR, they simply convert operations to another CVOR with no violations possibly with different members of their board of directors. But make no mistake this is standard operating procedure for these rouges.
These small companies are undercutting sustainable rates and staying quite busy because their labour costs are next to zero. These same companies are free and loose with maintenance, keeping operating costs way down. They have discovered ways to manipulate digital logging mechanisms to run trucks 24/7 and appear at first look to be legal. The other area in which costs are cut is training. The ability of these indentured servants is so marginal that to use the term undertrained is an over statement.
These companies that are as close to illegal as possible compete then with other small companies that follow the rules to the letter but can’t come close to operating profitably. The system is flawed, in more ways than one.
The industry hasn’t hit that point at which recovery isn’t possible, but it is going to take a great deal of effort by the Federal government to correct the immigration policy, on the part of provincial governments to ensure that driver testing is done properly and free of bribery. Training establishments must be forced to produce qualified and skilled drivers, with no shortcuts.
The PTTAC is well on the way to organizing the Truck Trainers to only offer a single training syllabus across the country. The goal will be to have qualified drivers earn a red seal skilled trade certificate that will only be issued by vetted training facilities. This should have a negative effect on those trainers who aren’t producing the skill level required by the road. Having only highly skilled, properly trained drivers, who are fully aware of the scam artists in the business, aren’t going to work for those cut corner types of operators.
The current statistics of serious
wrecks across the country will come back to much fewer incidents, making the roads considerably safer. The rate cutter bunch will choose another industry to destroy, and trucking will again be respected. Rates will stabilize and those left in the industry will be able to operate with a profit expectation following all the rules. Further, insurance rates will come back into the mere gouging range.
2026 will definitely be better in the trucking industry. The first indicator, in my opinion, is the rapidness with which PTTAC has changed the mindset of so many and will within the next few months have the required five provinces to solidify truck driving as a red seal skilled trade where training will be standardized nationally. Where newly licensed truck drivers have a lifetime career ahead of them with chances to have updated skills recognized as steps forward in skill development. Where every skilled driver will have the knowledge within themselves and
are ultimately qualified to drive the equipment for which he’s been hired to drive.
This training mindset changing to be nationally standardized and no shortcuts to exacting testing will inspire a confidence in the abilities of those operational individuals that will make our highways infinitely safer than the highway terror of today.
The next indicator is the number and diversity of the support organizations holding membership in PTTAC. Large carriers, insurance giants, the best of the best training facilities, the myriad of support services to the trucking industry that believe in the ability of trucking to thrive and survive and put a crimp in those that would use and enjoy corruption for their livelihood. Where only the properly trained and skilled people operate safely on the roads in 2026 in Canada.
Highway Robbery
Iwent to an annual general meeting. A gentleman joined my table, and he explained he had been in Canada three years and was struggling to make a living. He thought it was a dream to live in Canada, but it was like that at all in reality. He said his friend in trucking was even worse off than him because he had paid a large sum for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). He agreed to put me in touch with his trucking friend. What I am going to tell you is the true story of what a trucking firm in Surrey, BC is doing to its drivers.
The trucker called me and advised he had paid the trucking company $23,500 for his LMIA. On the LMIA, it was written he will be paid $27.50 an hour. He had lost a business in India, then lived in Dubai for three years, then California for another three years. His visa in the USA was going to run out, but he heard about the LMIA program to Canada. He paid most of his savings to come to Canada and thought it would be a dream with a good income and a good life. He was sadly mistaken.
His employer promised him 26 cents a mile. This is well below the minimum wage. This also nowhere near the amount written on the LMIA. He started at 20 cents, then worked up to 22 cents, and now at 24 cents per mile. He is a team driver and complained that some of his teammates don’t bathe and smelled, and the mattress in the cab was at times covered with bugs and yellowed. The teammates didn’t use a sheet on the bed, so they contaminated the mattress.
Often the teammates won’t use a proper washroom even though there’s one only a few feet away. He said his teammates drive rough and he fell from the bed from a sudden intentional jolt and hurt his back. He now has a slipped disc and when he told the employer they refused to file a claim with WCB or return his calls.
The trucker said he is often sent very far away, like Florida, and not given a back haul for over a week. His company won’t pay his expenses and leave him stranded for a week or more unpaid. Since no back haul is found, he is forced to drive back empty but not paid. That is about 3,250 – 4,000 miles away and zero pay. The company trucks he uses need repair; the seats are damaged, crooked, and uncomfortable. His employer told him not to email them about complaints, and if he calls, they will not speak to him after repeated requests. He said that most of the other drivers didn’t speak any English, so they could not read or interpret what was on the pay statements. If he calculated what was owed on his pay statement, he was always paid several hundred dollars less than owed, and the other drivers didn’t even know they were being under paid.
Another driver in the firm, also under LMIA, had an accident when the truck slipped in the snow. The employer demanded compensation for the damage and negotiated $6,500 was owed, after initially demanding over $10k. This was after the gentleman had already paid about $25,000 for his LMIA. He
is in poverty and cannot leave this firm because he will not be able to work anywhere else without a new permit, nor can he apply for a new permit because he cannot speak or read English very well.
I feel bad about how these drivers are being treated. The false stories of Canada being the land of the rich with pots of gold at the bottom of the rainbow, couldn’t be further from the truth. These truckers paid a lot of money to be in Canada, and what they paid is actually half of what I’ve heard others have paid. I did tell him, “You got a good deal and came here cheap. It’s usually $50,000.” These drivers are paying to come to Canada and being taken advantage of once they arrive by being paid incredibly low wages, well below poverty level. With housing prices so high and no savings, they have no hope of buying a home and living the socalled dream. After listening to his story for an hour, I told him with sincerity; go back to where he is happy. Go back to Dubai. Save up money for a year and go back. Why be miserable and abused by dishonest people, when you can be happy somewhere else? A mistake was made by coming to Canada. Accept the mistake, move on, and find happiness where you are valued and appreciated. I know the LMIA program is being overhauled by the government, and I hope it protects innocent people who came with a dream, only to lose hope.
PASH BRAR
PERFECTED FOR THE ROAD AHEAD.
The pinnacle of Kenworth’s engineering: the T680, a masterpiece of aerodynamics designed for long-haul efficiency. This tractor combines a high-perfomance PACCAR powertrain with durable, easy-to-maintain components for unparalleled uptime. Enhanced with cutting-edge technology, it offers a driving experience that’s both intuitive and safe, reducing driver fatigue. The cabin, akin to the luxury found in top-tier automobiles, elevates comfort to new heights. Welcome to the next level of trucking with the Kenworth T680.
hweIvyA fkYqI
mYN ie~k swlwnw jnrl mIitMg iv~c geI[ ie~k B`dr purS myry myz 'qy AwieAw[ ausny d~isAw ik auh kYnyfw iv~c iqMn swlW qoN rih irhw sI Aqy rozIrotI kmwaux leI sMGrS kr irhw hY[ ausny soicAw ik kYnyfw iv~c rihxw ie~k supnw sI, pr ieh hkIkq qoN iblkul ault in`kilAw[ ausny d`isAw ik ausdy dosq dI qW tr~ikMg ieMfstrI ‘c aus qoN vI mwVI iksmq in`klI, ikauNik ausny lybr mwrkIt ieMpYkt AsYsmYNt (LMIA) leI v~fI rkm Adw kIqI sI[ aus ny dosq nwl myrw sMprk krvwaux dw vwAdw kIqw[ ieh aus fRweIvr dI AwpxI h`f bIqI khwxI hY Aqy jo ik mYN quhwƒ d~sx jw rhI hW[ ieh 100% s~cI khwxI hY, jo srI, bI sI dI ie~k tr~ikMg kMpnI v`loN Awpxy fRweIvrW nwl kIqy jw rhy AmwnvI vqIry nUM ibAwn krdI hY[
fRweIvr ny mYƒ Pon krky d`isAw, ik ausny ies tr~ikMg kMpnI ƒ AwpxI LMIA leI $23,500 dw Bugqwn kIqw sI[ aus nUM imLx vwLI LMIA 'qy, ieh iliKAw igAw hoieAw sI, ik ausƒ $27.50 pRqI GMtw dy ihswb nwl Bugqwn kIqw jwvygw[ aus ieMfIAw ‘c pihlW hI aus dw ie`k kwrobwr Gwtw pYx kwrn bMd ho cu`kw sI[ iPr auh iqMn swl dubeI Aqy iqMn swl kYlIPornIAw ‘c irhw[ USA ‘c ausdy vIzy dI imAwd Kqm hox vwlIhI sI jdoN ausnuUM
knyfw dy LMIA pRogrwm bwry iksy koloN jwxkwrI imlI[ ausny kYnyfw ‘c ie~k cMgI AwmdnI Aqy vDIAw izMdgI ibqwaux bwry soc ky ie`Qy Awaux leI AwpxI izAwdwqr bcweI hoeI rkm dy ie`k bhuq v`fy ih`sy dw Bugqwn, vDIAw jIvn ibqwaux dI klpnw krdy hoey, bhuqI soc ivcwr kIqy ibnw hI kMpnI nUM rwSI dw Bugqwn kr id`qw[ pr A&sos! ieh ausdI izMdgI dI sB qoN v`fI inrwSwjnk glqI ho in`bVI[
ie`Qy phuMcx ‘qy auh kMpnI mwlk nUM imilAw ijsny aus ƒ 26 sYNt pRqI mIl dyx dw vwAdw kIqw[ ieh srkwrI kwnUMn dI qYA kIqI G`t qoN G`t qnKwh qoN vI bhuq G~t hY[ jo ik ausdI LMIA 'qy iekrwr kIqI rwSI ‘qy ilKI geI rkm dy vI ikqy nyV-qyVy vI nhIN sI[ ausny 20 sYNt/mIl qoN SurUAwq kIqI, iPr 22 sYNt/mIl q~k kMm kIqw, Aqy hux ausnUM 24 sYNt pRqI mIl id`qy jw rhy sn[ auh ie~k tIm fRweIvr sI[ ausny ikhw ik ausdy k`uJ tIm fRweIvr swQI nhwauNdy vI nhIN Aqy aunHW qoN burI dur AwauNdI hY, Aqy kYb ‘c r`iKAw g~dw vI bY`f b~gW Aqy XYlohY`f b`gW nwl BirAw hoieAw ho skdw hY[ tIm dy swQI fRweIvr ibsqry 'qy cwdr dI vrqoN vI nhIN krdyy, ies leI auh g~dy ƒ dUiSq krdy hn[ aus ny ikhw ik ik keI fRweIvr, Aksr tIm dy swQI fRweIvrW dI shUlq leI bxy hoey shI vwSrUm dI vrqoN nhIN krdyy
BwvyN ik auh isrP k`uJ Pu~t hI dUr hovy[ ausny ikhw ik ausdy swQI bhuq hI Krwb (Rough) g~fI clwauNdy hn Aqy ie`k vwr aus dy swQI fRweIvr ny jwxbu~J Acwnk ies qrW dw ie`k zordwr Jtkw mwr ky tr`k nuUM clwieAw, ik auh ibsqry qoN if~g ipAw ijs kwrn ausdI ip~T ‘qy bhuq jor nwL Jtkw l`gx krky ausdy ieMnHI izAwdw s`t l`gI ik ausdI rIV dI h`fI dI idsk sil`p ho geI[ pr jd ausny kMpnI mwlk ƒ ies hwdsy bwry d~isAw qW auhnW ny WCB kol dwAvw dwier krn qoN ienkwr hI nhIN kIqw sgoN aus dw Pon cu`kx qoN vI ht gey, qy aus dIAW PonkwlW dw jvwb dyx qoN vI ienkwr kr id~qw[
fRweIvr ny ikhw ik ausƒ Aksr PlorIfw vrgIAW bhuq dUr-dUr QwvW ‘qy lof dy ky ByijAw jWdw hY Aqy bYk hol leI ie~k h&qy qoN vI v~D l`gx vwly smyN leI koeI vI pYsw nhIN id`qw jWdw[ ausdI kMpnI aus dy KricAW dw Bugqwn nhIN krdI Aqy ausƒ ie~k h&qy jW ies qoN v~D smyN leI koeI AdwiegI nhIN krdI[ Aksr koeI bYk hOl nhIN imldw, ies leI ausƒ KwlI g~fI clwaux leI mjbUr kIqw jWdw hY, pr Bugqwn nhIN kIqw jWdw[ ieh lgBg 3,250 - 4,000 mIl dUr hY Aqy zIro qnKwh hY[ auh kMpnI dy ijhVy tr~kW dI vrqoN krdw hY, aunHW dIAW sItW vrqy jwx krky Krwb ho jWdIAW hn, aunHW dw
pYS
Awkwr tyfw ho jWdw hY, ijs kwrn auh tr`k clWaudy smyN byAwrwm qy duKdweI hox krky aunHw dI murMmq krvwaux dI s^q zrUrq hY[ ausdy mwlk ny ausƒ ikhw ik auh ies qrHW iksy iSkwieqW bwry aunHW ƒ eImyl nw kry, pr jdoN auh kwl krdw hW, qW aus v`loN lgwqwr vwr-vwr bynqIAW krn qoN bwAd mwlk aus nwl g~l krn qoN vI ht jWdy hn[ ausny ikhw ik izAwdwqr hor fRweIvr nUM AMgryzI BwSw dw igAwn nw hox kwrn hI, auh qnKwh ‘c ilKy vyrivAW nUM pVHn jW smIiKAw krn dy kwbl nhIN sn[ jdoN auh ihswb lw ky vyKdw sI, qW ausƒ hmySW bkwieAw nwloN keI sO fwlr G~t id~qy hoey huMdy sn, Aqy dUjy fRweIvrW ƒ qW ivcwirAW nUM ieh vI nhIN pqw sI ik aunHW ƒ bxdI ku`l pUrI qnKwh qW kdy id~qI hI nhIN jWdI[
Prm dw ie~k hor fRweIvr vI, jo ik
LMIA dy ADIn sI, dw aus smyN hwdsw ho igAw jdoN sVk brP jMmx kwrn iqlkvIN ho cu`kI sI, ies krky tr~k sVk qoN iqlk igAw[ mwlk ny hwdsy kwrn hoey nukswn leI fRweIvr nUM muAwvzw Adw krn dI mMg kIqI, jo ik g~lbwq SurUAwq krn smyN aus qoN $10,000 qoN vI v`D pYisAW dI mMg kIqI qy iPr aus ny fRweIvr nUM ikhw ik, c`l koeI nI, qyrI qnKwh dw $6,500 bkwieAw
bxdw hY, ies leI mYN isrP qyrw auh
$6,500 fwlr hI nukswn dI pUrqI leI lY
lYNdw hW[ ieh hwdsw aus smyN vwpirAw, jdoN auh grIb fRweIvr pihlW hI AwpxI
LMIA leI mwlk nUM lgBg $25,000 dw Bugqwn kr cu`kw sI[ auh bhuq grIbI qy lwcwrI ‘c idn k`t irhw hY, ausdI mzbUrI ieh vI hY ik auh ies kMpnI nUM C`f vI nhIN skdw, ikauNik aus kol ies kMpnI ‘c kMm krn leI hI LMIA imlI hoeI hY Aqy ibnHW iksy nvyN primt dy ikqy hor iksy kMpnI ‘c kMm krn dy Xog nhIN hY, ie`k hor mzbUrI vI h Yik auh nvW primt lYx leI AplweI vI nhIN kr skdw, ikauNik aus nUM AMgryzI BwSw bolxI jW pVnIH nhIN AwauNdI[
mYƒ ies bwry bhuq burw lgdw hY ik ienHW fRweIvrW nwl ikvyN ivvhwr kIqw jw irhw hY[ knyfw bwry JUTIAW PYlweIAW khwxIAW, ik ie`Qy sqrMgI pING jdoN pYNdI hY qW ausdy isry Q`ly sony dw BMfwr huMdw hY, lok ieMny AmIr hn ik auh sony dy BWifAW ‘c KWdy hn[ jy quhwnUM pRmwqmw ny ie`k in`ky jIv ijMnw vI idmwg id`qw hY, qW aus idmwg nwl zrw soco, ik ieh khwxIAW s`cIAW ho skdIAW hn? scweI ies qoN kohW dUr hY[ ienHW tr~k fRweIvrW ny knyfw iv~c rihx leI bhuq swrw pYsw Adw kIqw, Aqy aunHW
INSPIRE VISITORS
ny jo Bugqwn kIqw auh Asl iv~c aus dw A~Dw ih~sw hY jo mYN suixAw hY ik dUijAW ny Bugqwn kIqw hY[ mYN aus ƒ ikhw, "qusIN qW iPr vI cMgy rhy ho Aqy ie~Qy G`t pYsy ‘c Aw geyy[ nhIN qW lok ies leI Awm qOr 'qy $50,000 q`k Adw krdy hn[" ieh frweIvr ie~k vwr jdoN knyfw phuMcdy hn qW grIbI dy p~Dr qoN bhuq G~t qnKwh dy ky aunHW dw Pwiedw auTwieAw jWdw hY[ mkwnW dIAW kImqW ieMnIAW au~cIAW Aqy koeI b`cq nw hox dy nwl, aunHW ƒ Gr KrIdx Aqy AKOqI supny ƒ jIaux dI koeI aumId dI ikrn vI ivKweI nhIN idMdI[ ie`k GMtw aus dI khwxI suxn qoN bwAd, mYN aus ƒ iemwndwrI nwl d~isAw, ik au~Qy vwps cly jwE ij~Qy auh KuS sn[ dubeI vwps jwE[ ie~k swl leI pYsy bcwE Aqy vwps cly jwE[ jdoN qusIN ikqy hor KuS ho skdy ho qW byeImwn lokW duAwrw duKI Aqy bdslUkI ikauN sihMdy ho? kYnyfw Aw ky glqI ho geI[ glqI ƒ svIkwr kro, A~gy vDo Aqy KuShwlI pRwpq kro ij~Qy quhwfI kdr kIqI jWdI hY Aqy pRSMsw huMdI hY[ mYN jwxdI hW ik srkwr duAwrw LMIA pRogrwm dI murMmq kIqI jw rhI hY, Aqy mYN aumId krdI hW ik ieh inrdoS lokW dI r~iKAw krygw jo ie~k supny nwl Awey sn, isrP aumId guAwaux leI nhIN[
This is more than fleet fuel savings.
It's over 300 nationwide stations.
Itʼs smart, secure tools.
Itʼs exclusive offers.
Itʼs complete fleet fuel management.
No Place to Rest: Metro Vancouver’s Truck Parking Crisis
Every night across Metro Vancouver, commercial truck drivers finish long shifts only to discover there is nowhere legal and safe to park. Surrey’s own 2019 Truck Parking Strategy revealed a stark reality: approximately 6,000 heavy commercial vehicles call the city home, but fewer than half have authorized overnight parking. The math is simple and soberingthousands of commercial drivers are pushed onto industrial side streets farmland, or other unauthorized areas, leading to growing friction with residents, businesses, and bylaw officers.
Progress, But Far From Enough
Governments have begun to respond. According to the BC Rest Area List (2022)1, there are 174 rest areas provincewide that allow commercial vehicles, but fewer than 15 rest areas are located in the Metro Vancouver region itself, and only about 5 are realistically accessible or designed for overnight heavy truck parking. Many of these sites are geared toward passenger vehicles, with no designated truck stalls, no security features, and no consistent overnight authorization.
In 2023, the Province committed $100 million – over 9 years – to the Safety Rest Area Improvement Program, designed to create and improve rest facilities throughout BC. In March 2024, the Province opened a 106-stall truck rest area on Highway 17 in North Surrey2, complete with showers, washrooms, security, and lighting- a critical resource to help long haul drivers meet federally regulated rest requirements and get the rest they need to operate safely. This did little for local drivers.
To address local overnight parking needs, Surrey has also created four temporary gravel lots, adding about 150 spaces3, and has approved plans for a permanent 240-stall facility on 192 Street scheduled to open in the coming year.
However, even these positive developments do not keep pace with demand. There are over 22,000 heavy
trucks registered south of the Fraser River (and tens of thousands lighter commercial trucks) yet there is no comprehensive, region-wide inventory of truck parking. Estimates from industry and municipal studies consistently show a shortfall of thousands of stalls. In 2024 alone, Surrey’s bylaw officers issued over 2,000 parking-related citations to commercial trucks (Delta Optimist)4, highlighting just how acute and unresolved the issue remains.
Without safe, designated parking, drivers risk stopping in unauthorized zones, or worse, breaking federally regulated rest requirements– which directly increases the risk of fatiguerelated crashes.
The Real Cost of Nowhere to Park
The shortage ripples beyond the industry itself. Neighbourhoods are paying the price. Residents report sleepless nights from idling diesel engines and potholes from trucks using streets never designed for their weight. These conflicts only deepen without a consistent regional strategy.
Beyond safety and community frustration, this shortage costs money. Drivers who circle for parking burn precious fuel and waste time, delaying deliveries and disrupting an already stressed supply chain, with consumers feeling that pain at the checkout counter.
A study by the American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)5 estimates that, on average, truck drivers spend over 56 minutes a day searching for parking- time that could be spent resting or delivering goods.
The climate cost is just as significant. When trucks are forced to roam industrial parks searching for legal spots, they burn more fuel and release higher greenhouse gas emissions. According to Surrey’s Truck Parking Strategy, idling and unnecessary driving tied to the parking shortage directly worsens local air quality and add to the region’s emissions footprint.
Predictable, accessible, and secure parking means drivers can power down, breathe easier, and rest properlybenefitting everyone who shares the road.
Building a Better Future
Truck parking may sound mundane, but it is the backbone of a safe, efficient freight system. Metro Vancouver urgently needs a unified regional approach that includes:
• Dedicated industrial lands specifically and permanently zoned for truck parking
• Highway and infrastructure projects designed to incorporate safe, accessible truck rest areas, and
• Deeper collaboration between municipalities, the Province, and industry to identify new sites.
The question is not whether we can afford to invest in truck parking- it is whether we can afford not to. How powerful could this region become if it chose to invest in truck parking as a foundation for safer roads and stronger communities? How much stronger could our supply chains become if drivers had the safe parking they need and the respect their work deserves?
The trucking industry keeps our economy moving, day and night. It is time our infrastructure moved with it.
References:
1. Government of BC - https:// www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/driving-andtransportation/driving/rest-areas/bc-restareas-list.pdf
2. Government of BC - https://news.gov. bc.ca/releases/2024MOTI0036-000382
3. City of Surrey- https://www.surrey. ca/services-payments/parking-streetstransportation/parking/truck-parking
5. American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI)- https://truckingresearch. org/2016/12/atri-truck-parking-casestudy/
mYtro vYnkUvr ‘c hr rwq, vpwirk
tr~k fRweIvr lMbIAW iSPtW Kqm krn qoN bwAd, isrP ies kOVI scweI dy q`Q
dw swhmxw krdy hn jdoN aunHW nUM ieh pqw lgdw hY ik tr`k pwrk krn leI koeI vI kwƒnI Aqy sur~iKAq QW nhIN hY[ srI dI AwpxI 2019 tr~k pwrikMg rxnIqI ny ie~k sp~St hkIkq dw Kulwsw kIqw hY ik lgBg 6,000 BwrI vpwirk vwhn Sihr
ƒ Gr AwKdy hn, pr A~iDAW qoN vI G~t lokW nUM rwq nUM pwrikMg krn leI AiDkwrq kIqw hY[ gixq sDwrx Aqy gMBIr hY- hzwrW vpwirk fRweIvrW ƒ audXoigk pwsy, sVkW, KyqW jW hor AxAiDkwrq KyqrW iv~c D~k id~qw jWdw hY, ijs nwl vsnIkW, kwrobwrW Aqy aup-kwƒn AiDkwrIAW nwl tkrwA vDdw hY[
qr~kI qW hoeI hY , pr Ajy vI kw&I nhIN srkwrW ny jvwb dyxw SurU kr id~qw hY[ bI sI rYst eyrIAw ilst (2022)*1 dy Anuswr, pRWq Br iv~c 174 Awrwm Kyqr hn jo vpwrk vwhnW leI AwigAw idMdy hn, pr 15 qoN vI G~t Awrwm Kyqr mYtro vYnkUvr Kyqr iv~c siQq hn, Aqy ienHW ‘coN isrP 5 hI Asl ‘c phuMcXog hn jo rwq nUM v`fy tr~k pwrikMg leI iqAwr kIqy gey hn[iehnW iv~coN bhuq sweItW isrP XwqrI vwhnW leI bxweIAW geIAW hn, ie~Qy iksy tr~k leI KVHy hox dI jgHw nhIN, nw hI koeI iskuirtI suivDw hY, qy nw hI rwq ƒ rihx dI lgwqwr AwigAw imldI hY[ swl 2023 iv~c, sUby ny sur~iKAw rYst eyrIAw suDwr kwrjkRm leI 9 swlW dy smyN ‘c 100 imlIAn fwlr dI rkm Krcx dw vwAdw kIqw sI, jo ik bI sI dy swry ih~isAW iv~c rYst suivDwvW bxwaux Aqy suDwr krn dy kMm leI vrqx vwsqy kIqw igAw sI[ mwrc 2024 iv~c, sUby ny nOrQ srI *2 iv~c hweIvy 17 'qy 106 stwlW vwLw tr~k rYst eyrIAw KoilHAw, ijs iv~c Swvr, vwSrUm, sur~iKAw Aqy rOSnI dI suivDw Swml hY[ ieh lMbI dUrI dy fRweIvrW ƒ PYfrl kwƒn Anuswr Awrwm dI loV ƒ pUrw krn Aqy suc~jy AwprySn leI Awrwm krn vwsqy ie~k mwxXog sroq hY[ pr ies dw lokl fRweIvrW nUM bhuqw Kws lwB nhIN hoieAw[
sQwnk rwq Br pwrikMg dIAW zrUrqW ƒ pUrw krn leI, srI ny cwr AsQweI gRyvl lOtW vI bxweIAW hn *3, ijnHW iv~c
lgBg 150 stwl Swml hn Aqy 192 stRIt 'qy ie~k sQweI 240 stwlW vwlI lOt leI XojnwvW mnzUr kIqIAW geIAW hn jo Awaux vwly swl iv~c KolIAW jwxgIAW[ hwlWik, ieh swrIAW skwrwqmk ivkws kwrvweIAW dIAW mMgW nUM pUrIAW nhIN krdIAW[ Pryzr ndI dy d~Kx v~l 22,000 qoN v~D BwrI tr~k rijstrf hn (Aqy dsW hzwr hlky vpwrk tr~k vI), pr tr~k pwrikMg dI koeI ivAwpk, KyqrI sqr dI sUcI auplbD nhIN hY[ audXog Aqy ngr p~DrI AiDAYnW qoN pRwpq AMdwzy muqwbk Ajy vI hzwrW stwlW dI Gwt pUrI krn dI loV hY[ isrP 2024 iv~c hI, srI dy bweIlwAz AwiDkwrIAW ny vpwrk tr~kW ƒ 2,000 qoN v~D pwrikMg-sbMiDq itktW jwrI kIqIAW (fYltw EptIimst)*4, jo ies g~l ƒ drswauNdw hY ik sm~isAw ikMnI gMBIr Aqy AxsulJI hY[ sur~iKAq, inrDwirq pwrikMg dy ibnW, fRweIvr AnAiDikRq KyqrW iv~c rukx dw Kqrw mu`l lYNdy hn, jW hor vI burI cox krn leI mzbUr ho jWdy hn, jo PYfrl inXmq Arwm dIAW loVW dI pUrqI dy inXm qoVdIAW hn - jo is~Dy qOr 'qy Qkwvt-sbMDI hwdisAW dy Kqry ƒ vDwauNdw hY[ pwrikMg krn leI koeI vI QW auplbD nw hox dy kwrn dI Asl kImq ieh Gwt isrP audXog q~k hI sIimq nhIN hY[ pVosIAW ƒ vI iesdI kImq cukwauxI pY rhI hY[ invwsIAW ny fIzl ieMjnW dy cldy rihx kwrn Aqy auhnW sVkW 'qy tr~k clwaux kwrn, nINd nw Awaux dI iSkwieq kIqI hY, Aqy jo sVkW kdy vI ienHW Bwry tr`kW leI ifzweIn nhIN kIqIAW geIAW sn, aus kwrn sVkW ‘qy pYx vwly K`ifAW dI vI aunHW v`loN iSkwieq kIqI jWdI hY[ ieh tkrwA ie~k inrMqr KyqrI rxnIqI qoN ibnW hor fUMGy ho jWdy hn[
sur~iKAw Aqy BweIcwry dI inrwSw qoN ibnW, ieh Gwt kwrn pYsw vI ^rc huMdw hY[ pwrikMg l~Bx leI c~kr lwauNdy fRweIvr kImqI fIzl dI ^pq krdy hn Aqy smW brbwd krdy hn, ijs nwl filvrI iv~c dyrI ho jWdI hY Aqy pihlW hI qxwA vwlI splweI cyn pRBwivq huMdI hY, ijsdw gu`sw aupBogqw cYkAwaut kwaUNtr 'qy mihsUs krdy hn[ AmrIkn trWsportySn irsrc ieMsititaUt (ATRI) *5 duAwrw kIqy ie~k AiDAYn Anuswr Anumwn lwieAw igAw hY ik, AOsqn, tr~k fRweIvr hr roz 56 imMt
bI.sI. tr~ikMg AYsosIeySn duAwrw
qoN v~D pwrikMg l~Bx iv~c ^rc krdy hn— jo smW auh Arwm krn jW smwn filvr krn leI vrq skdy hn[ mOsmI lwgq vI ie~ko ijhI mh~qvpUrn hY[ jdoN tr~kW ƒ audXoigk pwrkW iv~c kwƒnI QwvW dI qlwS leI GuMmxw pYNdw hY, auh hor qyl brbwd krdy hn qy v~D gRInhwaUs gYsW dw auqpwd krdy hn[ srI dI tr~k pwrikMg rxnIqI dy muqwbk, pwrikMg dI Gwt nwl juVI hoeI bykwr fRweIivMg qy AweIfilMg is~Dw sQwnk hvweI guxv~qw ƒ ibgwVdI hY Aqy Kyqr dy pRdUSx dI pYdwvwr ‘c vwDw krdI hY[ Biv~KbwxI Anuswr, is~DI phuMc vwlI Aqy sur~iKAq pwrikMg dw mqlb hY ik fRweIvr SWq ho skdy hn, AwswnI nwl swh lY skdy hn Aqy FMg nwl Awrwm kr skdy hn - jo sVk dI vrqoN krn vwly sB lokW leI lwBdwiek hY[ Biv~K ƒ ibhqr bxwauxw tr~k pwrikMg sDwrx l~g skdI hY, pr ieh ie~k sur~iKAq Aqy pRBwvSwlI FMg nwl smwn Byjx vwly isstm dI rIVH dI h~fI hY[ mYtro vYnkUvr ƒ iek iekju`t KyqrI rUpryKw dI jrUrq hY, ijs ‘c Swml hoxw cwhIdw hYy:
• hweIvyA Aqy buinAwdI FWcw pROjYkt jo sur~iKAq Aqy tr~k ivSrwm KyqrW ƒ Swml krn leI bxwey gey hox
• ngrpwilkw, pRWq Aqy audXog ivckwr hor gihrw sihXog nvyN sQwnW dI pihcwx krn leI
svwl ieh nhIN ik AsIN tr~k pwrikMg 'c invyS krn dy Xog hW jW nhIN—svwl ieh hY ik kI AsIN invyS nw krn dy nqIjy brdwSq kr skx dy Xog hW? jy ieh Kyqr tr~k pwrikMg 'c invyS krn ƒ AwpxI buinAwd bxwey qW ieh ikMnw SkqISwlI bx skdw hY? jy frweIvrW kol auh sur~iKAq pwrikMg huMdI jo auhnW ƒ cwhIdI hY Aqy auhnW dy kMm dI ie~zq imldI hY, qW swfIAW splweI cynW ikMnIAW mzbUq ho skdIAW hn? tr~ikMg audXog swfI AwriQkqw ƒ idn Aqy rwq clweI r~Kdw hY[ smW Aw igAw hY ik swfw buinAwdI FWcw ies nwL A~gy vDy[ hvwilAW leI hyTW id`qy piqAW ‘qy jw ky hor jwxkwrI lY skdy ho:
Gordon Ramsay Burger, Coquitlam, BC
It’s been about two years since Gordon Ramsay Burger opened in the Great Canadian Casino in Coquitlam. I had suggested trying it many times to friends, and no one ever wanted to go. I was in the area shopping, and it was my friend’s birthday in the USA. So, since he was far away and loves burgers, I thought why not celebrate his birthday by eating a burger and share the photos with him.
For a Saturday night, I was shocked to find parking right in front. I noticed the casino wasn’t very busy. It used to be difficult to find parking. As I walked up to the door, I noticed there were plenty of available tables. As you enter, to the right is the entrance to the casino and to the left is a lit-up photo in a glass case of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. There were also British items throughout, like photos of the Queen, and the ceiling had the Union Jack on it.
There were only about 8 tables taken. Two were birthday parties, to which the staff was singing happy birthday. I looked at the menu and spoke to the waiter about milkshakes. There were two to choose from: strawberries and cream or an Oreo crème brulee. The server said the Oreo one was amazing, so I went with his recommendation. When my milkshake arrived, I ate the Oreo cookie first. But wow! When I
2080 United Blvd, Coquitlam, BC V3K 6W3
tried the milkshake itself, the crème brulee made it amazing! I would come back just for the milkshake!
I ordered the Backyard Burger with fries. It comes with an 8-ounce beef patty. The waiter had suggested a larger burger, but with the milk shake being filling, I didn’t want something too large. You had a choice of fries, sweet potato fries, truffle parmesan fries, onion rings, side salad or Caesar salad. I chose regular fries. The burger came about 15 minutes later and both it and the fries were very hot. I do hate cold food, so it was nice they were piping hot. The server advised that the ketchup was chipotle house-made and a bit spicy, but if I wanted regular Heinz ketchup, they had that too. I stuck with the housemade ketchup. They gave very little of it, not enough to finish the fries.
The fries were ok: hot and wellseasoned. They were not as good as McDonalds fries. The ketchup wasn’t spicy but also wasn’t anything that great. I certainly wouldn’t waste my time making ketchup if this was the end result. The bun was a nice brioche one. It was the first time I had a bun with sesame seeds on the entire bun, top and bottom. The burger was also ok and I enjoyed it. I had never had any Gordon Ramsay food before, so it was my first experience. I shared photos with my
birthday friend.
I’ll be honest. This wasn’t the best burger I’ve had. It was good, but it wasn’t great. The milk shake was definitely great. But all I could think of as I ate the burger was the much better burger I had at a place called Salt & Steak in Delta. I texted my birthday friend and said the burger I had in Delta, was so much better. I texted the friend who I had eaten the burger in Delta with, and he said too that he burger in Delta was amazing.
I thought when I went to Gordon Ramsay Burger, that because it was a celebrity chef restaurant, that the place would be packed and I would have to wait for a table. I think the recession really showed from the empty tables on a Saturday night. A local Coquitlam friend told me that the next time I want a burger to try a place called The Hard Bean Brunch Co. I might give that a try, but first I will go back to Salt & Steak in Delta to get my burger fix. Gordon Ramsay also has a steak restaurant in River Rock Casino in Richmond. I wonder if his celebrity name attracts patrons there, because it certainly doesn’t seem to in Coquitlam. Like I said, I will go back for the milk shake for sure but might try a hot dog or chicken burger instead. The meat just didn’t compare to the burger in Delta.
PASH BRAR
Freight Rates and Stability in Trucking
Let’s be honest, the economy over the past several years has been a bit of a roller coaster ride. The ups and downs are sometimes challenging to navigate for any industry, let alone one like the trucking industry that is impacted by so many factors. One such factor is freight rates. Good rates, or at least stability in rates, can make all the difference for the industry, individual carriers, and even individual drivers. Where is the industry now and what will 2026 bring?
Taking a look at what factors impact freight rates in the trucking industry, predictions about the future are a bit more challenging than anticipated. Fuel prices have a direct impact on freight rates due to the significant expense they represent for trucking companies. One can often see fuel surcharges passed on to shippers if prices rise too much. Another factor are simple economics, that is, demand and economic growth. Conditions in each of these have the ability to impact stability. Then, governments can have an impact on freight rates through regulations and the true cost of compliance. One factor that is tough to control is weather and seasonal impacts, both of which
can impact freight rates. Perhaps more currently topical are tariffs and trade policies which can impact costs, demand, and even regulation. Understanding and monitoring each of these can help carriers control costs and manage toward stability.
The US Executive Branch’s continued use of tariffs to manage economic policy may result in freight rate challenges in 2026, especially after it announced a new 25% tariff on heavyduty truck imports in October of 2025. Additionally, the US continues to focus on immigration issues and this is now directly impacting the trucking industry with the US DOT’s interim rules on nondomiciled CDL issuance. How many drivers this ultimately impacts, and how it impacts freight, remains to be seen but there are about 194,000 current nondomiciled CDL drivers according to the DOT.
Even with these potential challenges, analysts are seeing opportunity for slight improvements in the trucking industry and freight rates. These improvements, of course, are dependent on the overall economy across the US, North American, and the Globe.
Freight Transportation Research (FTR) predicts flat truck freight volume through 2025 and 2026. Without a significant increase in demand, FTR is predicting moderate freight rate increases.
American Trucking Association (ATA) is optimistic about increasing freight volumes over the next few years, tracking economic growth. ATA is a bit concerned about challenges related to driver shortage and a need for infrastructure improvements but still predicts growth in demand.
With so many factors potentially impacting freight rates and the stability of the industry, the future is truly challenging to predict. It does appear, however, most analysis believe the industry is in for slow, but steady, growth. Every election cycle brings new uncertainty, every new administration brings new uncertainty, but even the weather can bring uncertainty to the economics of the trucking industry. The key is to monitor all of the above, invest wisely, and prepare accordingly for the ups and downs the industry is bound to face next year and beyond.
MICHAEL HOWE
tr~ikMg iv~c BwVy dIAW drW
Aqy siQrqw
jy iemwndwrI nwL khIey, qW ipCly keI swlW qoN AwriQkqw QoVHI ijhI rolr kostr rweIf vrgI rhI hY[ auqrwA-cVHwA keI vwr iksy vI audXog leI nYvIgyt krn leI cuxOqIpUrn huMdy hn, Kws krky tr~ikMg audXog leI jo bhuq swry kwrkW duAwrw pRBwvq huMdw hY[ Aijhw hI ie~k kwrk BwVy dIAW drW hn[ cMgIAW drW, jW G~to G~t drW iv~c siQrqw, audXog, ivAkqIgq kYrIArW Aqy ie~QoN q~k ik ivAkqIgq frweIvrW ‘qy vI, sB ku`J cuxOqI BrpUr Prk pw skdIAW hn[ audXog hux ik~Qy hY Aqy 2026 kI ilAweygw?
jykr ieh vyKIey ik tr~ikMg audXog iv~c BwVy dIAW drW ƒ ikhVy kwrk pRBwvq krdy hn, qW Awaux vwly smyN bwry Biv~KbwxIAW krnIAW koeI sOKI g`l nhIN hY Aqy Awm krky ieh Aws qoN QoVHIAW vDyry cuxOqIpUrn huMdIAW hn[ qyl dIAW kImqW dw is~Dw pRBwv BwVy dIAW drW 'qy pYNdw hY ikauNik auh tr~ikMg kMpnIAW leI sB qoN v`fw Krc hY[ jy kImqW v~D jWdIAW hn qW Aksr iPaUl srcwrj lwzmI ho jWdw hY[ dUjw kwrk hY AwriQkqw, ijvyN mMg Aqy AwriQk ivkws[ iehnW iv~coN hr ie~k dI siQqI siQr drW ‘qy pRBwv pwaux dI smr~Qw r~KdI hY[ iPr, srkwrW inXmW Aqy aunHW dI pwlxw dI Asl lwgq duAwrw BwVy dIAW drW ‘qy pRBwv pw skdIAW hn[ ie~k kwrk jo kMtRol nhIN kIqw jw skdw , auh hY, mOsm Aqy mOsmI pRBwv, ieh dovyN
Pryt tRWsportySn irsrc (FTR) ny 2025 Aqy 2026 q~k PlYt tr~k Pryt dI mwqrw vDwaux dI Biv~KbwxI kIqI hY[ mMg iv~c mh~qvpUrx vwDy qoN ibnW, FTR drimAwnI BwVy dI dr iv~c vwDy dI Biv~KbwxI kr irhw hY[
AwriQk ivkws ƒ trYk krdy hoey, AmrIkn tr~ikMg AYsosIeySn (ATA) Agly k`uJ swlW iv~c BwVy dI mwqrw vDwaux bwry AwSwvwdI hY[ ATA frweIvrW dI Gwt Aqy buinAwdI FWcy dy suDwrW dI zrUrq nwl juVIAW cuxOqIAW bwry QoVHI icMqq hY pr iPr vI mMg iv~c vwDy dI Biv~KbwxI krdI hY[
sMBwivq qOr 'qy BwVy dIAW drW Aqy audXog dI siQrqw ƒ pRBwivq krn vwly bhuq swry kwrkW dy nwl, Awaux vwly smyN dI Biv~KbwxI krnw s~cmu~c cuxOqIpUrn hY hwlWik, izAwdwqr ivSlySk mMndy hn ik audXog hOlI, pr siQr, ivkws leI hY[ hr nvIAW coxW hox vwly smyN dy nwl ie`k nvIN AinSicqqw vI pYdw huMdI hY, hr nvW pRSwsn nvIN AinSicqqw ilAwauNdw hY, pr mOsm vI tr~ikMg audXog dy ArQ Swsqr iv~c AinSicqqw ilAw skdw hY[ ies dI cwbI auprokq swirAW dI ingrwnI krnI, smJdwrI nwl invyS krnw, Aqy aus Anuswr iqAwr krnw hY jo audXog Agly swl Aqy ies qoN bwAd dw swhmxw krn leI pwbMd hY[
Ontario Freeway Tragedy Highlights Crisis in Commercial Licensing
Adevastating chain-reaction crash on the 10 Freeway in Ontario, California, this week has once again shone a harsh, unwelcome light on the systemic failures plaguing the issuance of Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs). The horrifying Tuesday afternoon collision, which involved eight vehicles, including four semi-trucks, tragically claimed three lives and left several others injured.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the crash occurred when a semi-truck, allegedly driven by 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh of Yuba City, plowed into slow-moving traffic on the westbound lanes without braking. Witnesses described the scene as sounding like a "big explosion" as the impact crushed passenger vehicles and ignited flames. Singh was arrested at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and faces charges of vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing great bodily injury.
While the actions of the driver are the immediate cause of this tragedy, the incident is the latest in a series of
fatal crashes involving commercial truck drivers in California that raise profoundly disturbing questions about regulatory oversight. Reports have quickly surfaced, amplified by political and media figures, that the driver was an individual who had entered the country illegally, a detail that immediately brings into sharp focus the state's policies for granting CDLs.
The public deserves to know how an individual allegedly impaired by drugs, and potentially without the full legal standing or necessary proficiency to operate such a dangerous vehicle, was entrusted with a commercial license. This crash should not be viewed in isolation; it follows other high-profile incidents, like the one in Florida months ago involving a different driver, which also sparked intense scrutiny into the integrity of California's CDL testing and issuance processes.
It is time for state and federal authorities—the very bodies responsible for ensuring road safety—to be held publicly and unequivocally accountable. The agency or personnel responsible for
By: Jag Dhatt
issuing commercial licenses must face a full and transparent investigation. Were proper vetting procedures followed? Was the driver’s eligibility, language proficiency, and knowledge of safety regulations thoroughly confirmed? Given the severity and frequency of these crashes, simply arresting the driver is not enough; the system that put that driver behind the wheel must be overhauled.
The families of the deceased and the injured deserve more than just condolences; they deserve justice that addresses the systemic vulnerabilities that enabled this preventable loss of life. If lax licensing standards, alleged corruption, or political maneuvering allowed a demonstrably unfit driver to operate a massive commercial vehicle, those responsible for certifying that driver must be identified and held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Until then, every commercial vehicle on the road is a potential risk, and the regulatory bodies are complicit in the danger. The time for a comprehensive, safety-first review of the CDL process is now.
EntwrIE PRIvyA qRwsdI:
jYg F`t
kYlIPornIAw dy EntwrIE iv~c 10 PRIvyA 'qy ies h&qy vwprI iBAwnk hwdisAW dI lVI ny ie~k vwr iPr kmrSIAl frweIvr lwiesYNs (CDL) jwrI krn iv~c pRxwlIgq AsPlqwvW 'qy ie~k s^q Aqy AxcwhI rOSnI pweI hY[ mMglvwr dupihr ƒ vwprI ies iBAwnk t~kr iv~c, ijs iv~c cwr sYmI-tr~kW smyq A~T vwhn Swml sn, du~K dI g~l hY ik iqMn jwnW clIAW geIAW Aqy keI hor zKmI ho gey[
kYlIPornIAw hweIvy pYtrol (CHP) dy Anuswr, ieh hwdsw audoN vwpirAw jdoN XUbw istI dy 21 swlw jSnpRIq isMG duAwrw kiQq qOr 'qy clwieAw jw irhw ie~k sYmI-tr~k, bRyk lgwey ibnW p~CmI lynW 'qy hOlI c~l rhy tRYiPk iv~c v~ijAw[ cSmdIdW ny ies Gtnw ƒ "v~fy Dmwky" vrgw d~isAw, ikauNik t~kr ny XwqrI vwhnW ƒ kucl id~qw Aqy A~g l~g geI[ isMG ƒ mOky 'qy hI nSy dI hwlq iv~c g~fI clwaux dy S~k iv~c igR&qwr kr ilAw igAw Aqy aus 'qy vwhnW nwl kql Aqy nSy dI hwlq iv~c g~fI clwaux dy doS l~gy hn[
hwlWik frweIvr dIAW kwrvweIAW ies qRwsdI dw qurMq kwrn hn, ieh Gtnw kYlIPornIAw iv~c kmrSIAl tr~k frweIvrW ƒ Swml krn vwly Gwqk hwdisAW dI lVI iv~coN nvIN hY jo rYgUlytrI ingrwnI bwry bhuq hI prySwn krn vwly svwl KVHy krdI hY[ ^brW qyzI nwl PYlIAW hn, jo rwjnIiqk Aqy mIfIAw hsqIAW duAwrw vDweIAW geIAW hn, ik frweIvr ie~k Aijhw ivAkqI sI jo dyS iv~c gYr-kwƒnI FMg nwl dwKl hoieAw sI, ie~k vyrvw jo rwj dIAW CDL pRdwn krn dIAW nIqIAW 'qy qurMq iDAwn kyNdirq krdw hY[
jnqw ieh jwxn dw h~k r~KdI hY ik ikvyN ie~k ivAkqI, jo kiQq qOr 'qy niSAW dy pRBwv hyT sI, Aqy sMBv qOr 'qy Aijhy ^qrnwk vwhn ƒ clwaux leI pUrI kwƒnI siQqI jW zrUrI muhwrq qoN ibnW sI, ƒ kmrSIAl lwiesYNs sONipAw
igAw sI[ ies hwdsy ƒ iek~lI Gtnw vjoN nhIN dyiKAw jwxw cwhIdw; ieh hor au~c-p~DrI GtnwvW, ijvyN ik mhIinAW pihlW PlorIfw iv~c vwprI ie~k hor frweIvr ƒ Swml krn vwlI Gtnw, qoN bwAd vwprI hY, ijs ny kYlIPornIAw dI CDL tYsitMg Aqy jwrI krn dI pRikirAw dI AKMfqw 'qy vI s^q inrIKx SurU kIqw sI[
ieh rwj Aqy sMGI AiDkwrIAW—jo sVk sur~iKAw ƒ XkInI bxwaux leI izMmyvwr hn—leI smW hY ik auh jnqk qOr 'qy Aqy AspSt rUp iv~c jvwbdyh Tihrwey jwx[ kmrSIAl lwiesYNs jwrI krn leI izMmyvwr eyjMsI jW krmcwrIAW ƒ ie~k pUrI Aqy pwrdrSI jWc dw swhmxw krnw cwhIdw hY[ kI shI jWc pRikirAwvW dI pwlxw kIqI geI sI? kI frweIvr dI Xogqw, BwSw dI pRoPISYNsI, Aqy sur~iKAw inXmW dy igAwn dI cMgI qrHW puStI kIqI geI sI? ienHW hwdisAW dI gMBIrqw Aqy bwrMbwrqw dy m~dynzr, isr& frweIvr ƒ igR&qwr krnw kw&I nhIN hY; ijs pRxwlI ny aus frweIvr ƒ phIey dy ip~Cy pwieAw, aus ƒ TIk kIqw jwxw cwhIdw hY[
imRqkW Aqy zKmIAW dy pirvwr isr& sMvydnwvW qoN v~D dy h~kdwr hn; auh inAW dy h~kdwr hn jo pRxwlIgq kmzorIAW ƒ h~l krdw hY ijnHW ny jIvn dy ies rokxXog nukswn ƒ sMBv bxwieAw[ jykr iF~ly lwiesYNisMg mwpdMfW, kiQq iBRStwcwr, jW rwjnIiqk cwlW ny ie~k sp~St qOr 'qy AXog frweIvr ƒ ie~k v~fw kmrSIAl vwhn clwaux dI AwigAw id~qI, qW aus frweIvr ƒ pRmwixq krn leI izMmyvwr lokW ƒ pCwixAw jwxw cwhIdw hY Aqy kwƒn dI pUrI h~d q~k jvwbdyh TihrwieAw jwxw cwhIdw hY[ audoN q~k, sVk 'qy hr kmrSIAl vwhn ie~k sMBwvI joKm hY, Aqy rYgUlytrI sMsQwvW ies ^qry iv~c
Why Trip Planning and Checking Road Conditions Matter More Than Ever This Winter
By SafetyDriven – Trucking Safety Council of BC
Winter in British Columbia is no joke. With its winding mountain highways, unpredictable weather, and rapidly changing conditions, it is no wonder even experienced drivers say it is the most challenging time of year to be behind the wheel. For professional truck drivers, those challenges can multiply- longer stopping distances, icy roads, low visibility, and time-sensitive deliveries all combine to create the perfect storm of risk.
That is why trip planning and checking road conditions are not just good habits, they are lifesaving ones.
Taking the time to plan your route, anticipate conditions, and prepare for emergencies helps ensure you get where you are going safely and efficiently, no matter what the weather throws at you.
The First Step in Safety: A Thoughtful Plan
Every safe trip sta rts long before the engine turns on. Trip planning allows drivers to assess their route, check for potential hazards, and prepare for delays or detours. It is not just about knowing where you are going, it is about knowing what to expect along the way.
Before you leave, take a few minutes to:
• Check weather forecasts along your entire route, not just your departure and destination points. Conditions can change drastically between the Lower Mainland and the Coquihalla Summit.
• Review DriveBC and weather apps for up-to-date information on road closures, accidents, construction, and avalanche control activities.
• Plan your stops for fuel, food, and rest, and make sure there are safe pullouts or truck stops along the way.
• Communicate your route to dispatch or family members in case of an emergency.
Good trip planning also means having realistic expectations. In winter, slower speeds and longer travel times are the norm. Pushing to stay on schedule can increase risk, so factor in extra time to drive safely and manage rest breaks.
Know the Conditions Before You’re in Them
British Columbia’s terrain can take
BY: SAFETY DRIVEN: TRUCKING SAFETY COUNCIL OF BC
you from sea level to snowy mountain passes in just a few hours. One moment, you are driving through rain; the next, you are facing black ice and blowing snow. The only way to be ready is to stay informed.
Check multiple sources for road condition updates:
• DriveBC.ca provides live highway cameras, road condition reports, and information on maintenance activities.
• WeatherCAN or Environment Canada offers detailed weather warnings and forecasts.
• BC Highway Maintenance contractors often post updates on social media, especially about plowing and sanding schedules.
If conditions worsen, do not hesitate to pull over. Knowing when not to drive is as important as knowing when to go. Even the most skilled drivers can not outsmart physics- if traction is gone, control is gone.
Equipment and Emergency Prep
Planning also means ensuring your equipment is ready for whatever comes your way. A pre-trip inspection should include extra attention to winter-specific needs:
• Tire condition and chains: Make sure your tires meet minimum tread depth requirements and that your tire chains are in good condition, properly fitted, and ready for use.
• Lights and wipers: Clear visibility is crucial, so make sure your
lights are working when you complete your pre-trip inspections! Replace wiper blades as needed and keep washer fluid topped up.
• Fluids and brakes: Cold temperatures can affect performance, so confirm your antifreeze, oil, and brake systems are winter-ready.
• Emergency supplies: Always carry a winter emergency kit: warm clothing, blankets, food, water, flashlight, batteries, and traction aids.
If you are stranded due to a road closure or storm, these supplies can make the difference between discomfort and danger.
The Human Factor: Fatigue and Focus
Even the best-planned trip can go wrong if the driver is not alert. Fatigue, stress, and distractions are amplified in winter driving conditions. Trip planning helps reduce that mental load by minimizing surprises and allowing you to focus on the road.
Take regular breaks, stay hydrated, and fuel your body with nutritious food rather than relying on caffeine alone. If weather or road conditions are worsening, do not push throughcommunicate with dispatch, find a safe place to stop, and wait it out. Safety should always outweigh schedules.
A Shared Responsibility
Winter safety is not just the responsibility of the driver- it is
shared across fleets, dispatchers, and maintenance teams. Employers should ensure drivers have access to reliable weather and road condition tools, receive winter driving training, and feel empowered to make safe decisions, even if it means delaying a delivery.
At SafetyDriven – Trucking Safety Council of BC, we believe that a wellplanned trip is the foundation of every safe journey. Whether you are crossing mountain passes or hauling locally, preparation and awareness can prevent incidents and save lives.
Before You Roll,
Check the Road and Come
Say Hi!
As winter settles in, remember: the few minutes you spend planning your trip could save hours of delay or even your life. Before you roll, check the road.
And this season, keep an eye out for the SafetyDriven team at our Safety Pop-up Barbecues at cardlocks across BC! Be sure to stop and say hi, grab a free hot meal, and pick up your copy of the Driver Handbook, packed with great tips and practical information to help you stay safe on the road all year long.
For more information for where our next pop-up will be, visit SafetyDriven. ca.
Stay safe, stay informed, and keep those wheels turning- safely.
BY G RAY GOMPF, CD.
Strategic Route Planning
While most small business owner operator truckers sit down to plan ahead, they still think about getting the load to its consigned destination along the simplest, most direct route that will allow for the best fuel economy, avoid traffic as much as possible and get the load delivered on time. In addition, there’s the hope that there’s a load back with the fewest empty miles and producing a decent per mile rate while bearing in mind there is no such thing as a back haul. That’s not what is being discussed with strategic route planning.
I used the “pick-a-lane” method where I’d pick a destination that provided a decent per mile rate by averaging the amount potentially earned by the round trip. I didn’t need to go beyond that for potential earnings – I just did it.
From my starting point in Eastern Ontario, the best paying loads where in Florida to supply the food chain in eastern and southern Ontario and the greater Montreal area. I had a reefer and hauling produce was easy. My lane could produce 3,000 miles a week with only one major pull between North Carolina and Virginia, and then in Pennsylvania, some hills that never needed too much downshifting. And only one necessary rest stop each way. Oh yes. Knowing my exact costs and knowing where my lower point was to support my profit line. That was my planning. It worked for my operation.
So, I looked up the definition of strategic route planning. My methods didn’t stray too far from the definition below, but I didn’t use the flowery
language to describe my strategic route planning.
“Strategic route planning is the longterm, high-level process of designing a transportation and resource network to achieve a company’s financial and customer service goals. It focuses on establishing fundamental policies and a "blueprint" for a company's delivery operations over months or even years, rather than optimizing a single day's schedule.”
And then the definition opens up to more explanation. I guess my pick a lane strategy worked after all.
“Strategic vs. Daily Route Planning: Strategic route planning is distinct from daily, or operational, route planning, though the two are interconnected.
• Strategic planning: Involves modeling "what-if" scenarios to determine the optimal fleet size, location of distribution centres, and overall delivery strategy based on factors like customer demand, vehicle types, and operating practices.
• Daily planning: Focuses on executing the day-to-day schedule within the framework established by the strategic plan.
“Key Aspects of Strategic Route Planning:
• Optimal resource deployment: It determines the best combination and location of assets, including distribution centers, fleet size, and drivers, to efficiently meet customer demands.
• Performance modeling: Using technology, companies can simulate changes to their distribution network to
evaluate the financial and operational impact before making potentially costly decisions.
• Adapting to market shifts: The process helps businesses understand the costs and capacity needed to enter new markets, handle seasonal fluctuations, or consolidate assets after an acquisition.
• Foundation for daily operations: It establishes the core routes and policies that daily routing software can then use to make dynamic, real-time adjustments for factors like traffic, last-minute orders, or vehicle availability.
“Core Benefits for Businesses:
• Enhanced efficiency: Optimized strategic routes reduce empty miles, fuel consumption, and vehicle wear-andtear by creating more effective delivery schedules.
• Significant cost savings: By improving efficiency and minimizing transportation costs, businesses can lower their overall operational expenses.
• Improved customer service: Consistent and reliable service, driven by efficient route plans, leads to better on-time performance and higher customer satisfaction.
• Optimized resource allocation: It ensures that fleet and personnel resources are used to their full potential, maximizing productivity.
The problem of dealing with definitions is that while it explains in detail, the words used are anything but colloquial and leave as much confusion as it provides answers. I’ll leave this definition portion for you to see. English is my first and only language and I only think I understand it.
rxnIqk rUt Xojnw
jdoN izAwdwqr Coty kwrobwrI Enr Eprytr tr~kr A`gy dI Xojnw bxwauNdy hn, auh ies bwry socdy hn, ik iks qrIky nwl ies lof ƒ iesdI inrDwirq mMizl q~k phMucwieAw jwvy jo sMBwivq qOr 'qy sB qoN is~Dw Aqy Awswn rwsqw hovy, ijs nwl iPaUl ^pq ‘c b`cq hovy, tRYiPk qoN ijMnw ho sky bicAw jwvy Aqy lof ƒ smyN 'qy phMucwieAw jwvy qW ik vwpsI lof ilAwaux vyly KwlI mIl G~t hox, Aqy pRqI mIl ryt TIk rhy, ieh iDAwn iv~c r~Kdy hoey ik vwpsI lof dy imlx dw koeI ivSyS Brosw nhIN huMdw[ ieho hI cIz hY jo strYtijk rUt Xojnw iv~c ivcwr nhIN kIqI jWdI[
mYN "ipk-ey-lyn" FMg vrqdw sI, ij~Qy mYN ie~k mMijl cuxdw sI ,jo rwauNf itRp qoN sMBwivq rwSI dy AOsq AwDwr 'qy pRqI mIl ie`k shI dr muh~eIAw krwauNdI sI[ mYnUM sMBwivq kmweI leI ies qoN A~gy jwx dI loV nhIN sI, isrP ies qrIky nwl hI kMm krnw sI[
myry SurUAwqI puAwieMt qy pUrbI Ontario ‘c, sB qoN vDIAw kmweI vwly lof PlorIfw ‘c sn, ij~Qy mYN pUrbI Aqy d~KxI Ontario Aqy Montreal dy v~fy Kyqr ‘c PUf cynW leI Bwr splweI krdw sI[ myry kol rIPr sI[ Pl Aqy sbzIAW iljwxw Awswn sI[ myrI lyn h&qy iv~c 3,000 mIl kmw skdI sI, isr& nwrQ kYrolInw Aqy vrjInIAw dy ivckwr ie~k v~fI cVHweI Aqy iPr pYnislvynIAw ‘c ku`J Coty Coty it`byy sn, ijnHW leI izAwdw fwaUniSPt krn dI loV nhIN huMdI[ Aqy hr rsqy ivc isr& ie~k zrUrI rYst stwp[ zrUrI g`l[ Awpxy shI ^ricAW ƒ jwxnw Aqy ieh jwxnw ik myrw G~t munwPy vwLw QW ik~Qy hY qW ik mYN AwpxI munw&y vwlI lweIn ƒ shwr skW[ ieh myrI Xojnw sI[ ies ny myry AwpRySn leI shI kMm kIqw[
• AnukUilq sroq AlwtmYNt: ieh suinSicq krdw hY ik PlIt Aqy krmcwrIAW dy sroqW dI vrqoN aunHW dI pUrI smr~Qw nwl kIqI jw rhI hY, jo auqpwd ƒ v~D qoN v~D vDwauNdI hY["
pirBwSwvW nwl inptx dI sm~isAw ieh hY ik jdoN ies dI ivsQwr nwl ivAwiKAw kIqI jWdI hY, qW vrqy gey Sbd ib`lkul vI Awm bolcwl vwly nhIN huMdy Aqy ieh ijMnw spSt krdw hY, Enw hI guMJldwr vI bxw idMdw hY[ mYN ieh pirBwSw vwlw ih~sw quhwfy dyKx leI leI C~f idMdw hW [ AMgryzI myrI pihlI Aqy iek~lI BwSw hY Aqy mYƒ l~gdw hY ik mYN iesƒ smJdw hW[
Mack Trucks Dealer TransWestern Truck Centres Opens New State-ofthe-Art Facility in Calgary
Mack Trucks announced that its dealer, TransWestern Truck Centres, relocated and opened a new full-service facility in Southeast Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The investment in the new location will improve serviceability and operational efficiency.
TransWestern Truck Centres’ new location is at 5022 90th Ave. in Southeast Calgary. The 52,000 square-foot dealership rests on 5.25 acres of fully fenced and secure land between Stoney Trail and Deerfoot Trail, two major traffic arteries. The facility offers $2.1 million in parts inventory, 20 service bays, 18 technicians and eight master technicians. In total, 43 people are employed at the Calgary location.
“Mack invested in Calgary due to the fact that Calgary is a strong market with outstanding customers that need to move freight all over North America,”
said Matt Davison, Mack senior vice president of distribution and channel development. “We had outgrown our previous facility and wanted to provide a better customer experience with greater accessibility and more amenities for all customers in Calgary or traveling through Alberta.”
The new facility is a Mack Certified Electric Vehicle (EV) Dealer and is certified to service Mack Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) customers. The Calgary site also has the capability to expand for hydrogen fuel, demonstrating a commitment to advanced and alternative fuel technologies. TransWestern Truck Centres in is a Mack Certified Uptime Dealer.
TransWestern Truck Centres is a heavy-duty truck dealership located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with a focus on selling, servicing, and providing parts for heavy and medium-duty trucks,
particularly Mack trucks. We also have a location in Lethbridge, Alberta for parts and service. TransWestern Truck Centres has been a corporate-owned store for more than 10 years.
“This new, expanded facility in Calgary represents a massive step forward for TransWestern Truck Centres and, more importantly, for our customers across Southern Alberta,” said Randy Muller, general manager of TransWestern Truck Centres in Calgary. “The increase in parts warehousing, service bay capacity coupled with the latest diagnostic technology, allows us to deliver on our commitment to maximize our customers’ uptime. We are building for the future of trucking, ensuring our team has the best resources to provide premier sales, financing, parts and service support for every Mack truck on the road.”
mYk tr~k fIlr tRWsvYstrn tr~k
sYNtr kYlgrI iv~c nvIN
shUlq KolHdy hn
mYk tr~ks ny AYlwn kIqw ik iesdy fIlr, tRWsvYstrn tr~k sYNtrs, ny d~Kx-pUrbI kYlgrI, Albrtw, kYnyfw iv~c ie~k nvIN pUrI-syvw shUlq ƒ qbdIl kIqw hY Aqy KoilHAw hY[ nvIN jgHw iv~c invyS syvwXogqw Aqy sMcwln kuSlqw iv~c suDwr krygw[
Kws krky mYk tr~kW leI vycx, syvw krn Aqy pwrts pRdwn krn 'qy hY[ swfy kol pwrts Aqy syvw leI lyQibRj, Albrtw iv~c vI ie~k sQwn hY[ tRWsvYstrn tr~k sYNtr 10 swlW qoN v~D smyN qoN ie~k kwrporyt-mlkIAq vwlw stor irhw hY[
"kYlgrI iv~c ieh nvIN, ivsiqRq shUlq tRWsvYstrn tr~k sYNtrW leI Aqy, hor vI mh~qvpUrn, d~KxI Albrtw iv~c swfy gwhkW leI ie~k v~fw kdm drswauNdI hY," kYlgrI iv~c tRWsvYstrn tr~k sYNtrW dy jnrl mYnyjr rYNfI mUlr ny ikhw[ "purizAW dy vyArhwaUisMg iv~c vwDw, srivs by smr~Qw nvInqm fwiegnOsitk qknwlojI dy nwl, swƒ Awpxy gwhkW dy AptweIm ƒ v~D qoN v~D krn dI swfI vcnb~Dqw ƒ pUrw krn dI AwigAw idMdI hY[ AsIN tr~ikMg dy Biv~K leI inrmwx kr rhy hW, ieh XkInI bxwauNdy hoey ik swfI tIm kol sVk 'qy hryk mYk tr~k leI pRmu~K ivkrI, iv~q, purzy Aqy syvw shwieqw pRdwn krn leI sB qoN vDIAw sroq hn["
3 AI-powered Scams to Watch Out For
Source: NewsCanada
One of the biggest transformations artificial intelligence (AI) is driving is in the area of fraud. AI lets fraudsters impersonate more easily, personalize their scams and move faster than ever before. According to Mastercard, here are three scams where it’s playing a major role, and ways to keep yourself safe.
The Grandparent Scam
This is a good example of how fraudsters can use AI to personalize their scams like never before. Fraudsters will target seniors with a phone call when they’re off-guard or vulnerable. Using AI they will alter their voice to sound like. a family member in distress who needs money right away.
Calls like this are meant to play on your emotions, so listen to your instincts. Ask yourself: Why would money be what they need, instead of help in some other way? If you are unsure, call them back using the number you have for
them. Also, consider having a “secret word” that only family members know, to help verify identity.
The Fake Order
This is a type of phishing scam, where fraudsters send a message designed to look like it’s coming from a legitimate source, in order to get sensitive information or login credentials from you. A common version is sending a fake invoice or confirmation for an online order.
Treat any unexpected messages like this with suspicion. Fraudsters often pose as businesses you trust. Never click on links or use any contact information from this type of message. Reach out to the business yourself through the phone number or contact form on the company’s website. They’re victims of the scam, too, and can work with you to get to the truth.
Authorized Push Payment (APP) Fraud
AI tools can let fraudsters ask you for legitimate-seeming fast payments that often go through before your financial institution can react. They usually focus on impersonating quick but necessary payments, such as Canada Revenue Agency back taxes, bank overdraft fees or credit card bills.
Thanks to the speed of AI, all it takes is a moment’s lapse in attention for someone to send what could be an irreversible payment. But, AI is also being used to strengthen fraud prevention. Payment providers, like Mastercard, have developed tools that work in the background while you complete a purchase. These systems are designed detect this type of fraud automatically, in real-time and stop the fraudulent transaction in its tracks.
It’s up to all of us to be more cyber safe—better cybersecurity makes for a safer community.
ieh ies g~l dI ie~k cMgI audwhrx hY ik DoKwDVI krn vwly Awpxy GutwilAW ƒ pihlW kdy nw kIqy gey qrIky nwl in~jI bxwaux leI AI dI vrqoN ikvyN kr skdy hn[ DoKwDVI krn vwly bzurgW ƒ &on kwl nwl inSwnw bxwauxgy jdoN auh byprvwh jW kmzor hoxgy[ AI dI vrqoN krky auh AwpxI Awvwz ƒ Awvwz iv~c bdl dyxgy[ musIbq iv~c ie~k pirvwrk mYNbr ijsƒ qurMq pYsy dI loV hY[
ies qrHW dIAW kwlW quhwfIAW BwvnwvW 'qy Kyfx leI hn, ies leI AwpxI pRivrqI ƒ suxo[ Awpxy Awp qoN pu~Co: iksy hor qrIky nwl mdd dI bjwey, auhnW ƒ pYsy dI loV ikauN hovygI? jykr qusIN AinSicq ho, qW auhnW ƒ aus nMbr dI vrqoN krky
vwps kwl kro jo quhwfy kol auhnW leI hY[ nwl hI, ie~k "gupq Sbd" r~Kx bwry ivcwr kro jo isr& pirvwr dy mYNbr jwxdy hn, pCwx dI puStI krn iv~c mdd krn leI[
nklI Awrfr
ieh ie~k iksm dw iPiSMg Gutwlw hY, ij~Qy DoKwDVI krn vwly quhwfy qoN sMvydnSIl jwxkwrI jW lOgien pRmwx p~qr pRwpq krn leI ie~k sunyhw Byjdy hn jo iksy jwiez sroq qoN Aw irhw hY[ ie~k Awm sMskrx ie~k AOnlweIn Awrfr leI ie~k nklI ienvOies jW puStIkrn Byjxw hY[
ies qrHW dy iksy vI AxikAwsy sunyhy ƒ S~k dI nzr nwl dyKo[ DoKwDVI krn vwly Aksr auhnW kwrobwrW vjoN pyS AwauNdy hn ijnHW 'qy qusIN Brosw krdy ho[ kdy vI ilMkW 'qy kil~k nw kro jW ies iksm dy sunyhy qoN iksy vI sMprk jwxkwrI dI vrqoN nw kro[ kMpnI dI vY~bsweIt 'qy &on nMbr jW sMprk Pwrm rwhIN Kud kwrobwr nwl sMprk kro[ auh vI Gutwly dy iSkwr hn, Aqy s~cweI q~k phuMcx leI quhwfy nwl kMm kr skdy hn[
AiDkwrq puS Bugqwn (APP) DoKwDVI
AI tUl DoKybwzW ƒ quhwfy qoN jwiezjwpdy qyz BugqwnW leI pu~Cx dy skdy hn jo Aksr quhwfI iv~qI sMsQw dy pRqIikirAw krn qoN pihlW hI ho jWdy hn[ auh Awm qOr 'qy kYnyfw rYvyinaU eyjMsI dy tYks, bYNk EvrfrwPt PIs jW kRYift kwrf ib~lW vrgy qyz pr zrUrI BugqwnW dI nkl krn 'qy iDAwn kyNdRq krdy hn[
AI dI gqI dw DMnvwd, iksy ƒ Byjx leI iDAwn iv~c ie~k pl dI ivCoVw hY jo ie~k At~l Bugqwn ho skdw hY[ pr, AI dI vrqoN DoKwDVI dI rokQwm ƒ mzbUq krn leI vI kIqI jw rhI hY[ Bugqwn pRdwqwvW, ijvyN ik mwstrkwrf, ny Aijhy tUl ivksq kIqy hn jo quhwfy duAwrw KrIddwrI pUrI krn vyly ipCokV iv~c kMm krdy hn[ iehnW isstmW ƒ ifzweIn kIqw igAw hY jo Asl-smyN iv~c ies iksm dI DoKwDVI ƒ Awpxy Awp Kojdy hn Aqy DoKwDVI vwly lYx-dyx ƒ iesdy trYkW iv~c rokdy hn[
ieh swfy swirAW 'qy inrBr krdw hY ik AsIN vDyry sweIbr sur~iKAq rhIeyibhqr sweIbr sur~iKAw ie~k sur~iKAq BweIcwry leI bxwauNdI hY[
2025 mwzdw CX50 GT HEV
CX-50 hweIibRf ielYkitRk vwhn (HEV) dI pySkS mwzdw leI ie~k mh~qvpUrn Aqy rxnIqk kdm hY, jo ik iesdI mltI -solUSn ielYktRIiPkySn stRYtjI ƒ qyz krn iv~c shwiek hY, ^ws krky au~qrI AmrIkn bwzwr iv~c[ ie~k bRWf leI jo Awpxy mzydwr fRweIivMg AnuBv Aqy zUm-zUm i&lwsuPI leI pRis~D hY, HEV ieh drswauNdw hY ik ieh rvwieqI mwflW Aqy Biv~K iv~c pUrI qrHW ielYkitRk vwhnW dy ivckwr ie~k zrUrI pul hY[ ieh mwzdw ƒ qyzI nwl vD rhy kMpYkt hweIibRf SUV sYgmYNt iv~c mu~K mukwbilAW nwl is~Dw mukwblw krn dI SkqI r`Kdw hY, ijs nwl ivSwl drSk vrg dI phuMc huMdI hY jo mwzdw dy pRImIAm ifzweIn Aqy hYNfilMg dy sumyl dyKxw cwhuMdy hn pr bhuq ibhqr qyl Kpq nwl[
pihlI id`K:
mwzdw CX-50 hmySw hI vyKx nUM bhuq vDIAw lgdI rhI hY, qy GT HEV vI
anHW qoN v~Krw nhIN[ ies iv~c auh sKq Aqy AaUtfor vwlI mihsUsqw hY jo iesƒ hor SihrI-kyNdirq Crossovers qoN v~Krw bxwauNdI hY[ GT tirm k`uJ vDIAw cIzW joVdI hY, ijvyN 19-ieMc dy AYlOie vHIlz ijsdw ivl`Kx blYk Aqy mSIn-pwilS iPinS vwlw stweIl hY, qy cmkdwr rUP ryl[ ieh s~cmu~c AwpxI inrwlI id`K r~KdI hY[ Anupwq vI idlcsp hn – ieh hor keI mukwbilAW nwloN QoVHw nIvW Aqy cOVw mihsUs huMdw hY, jo iehƒ ie~k Wagon vWg dw lu~k idMdw hY, jo mYƒ ivAkqIgq qOr qy vDIAw l~gdw hY[ ieh cOVw Aqy mzbUq Stance qurMq idKwauNdw hY ik ieh v~K-v~K kYnyfw dy tyryn leI kwbl hY[
AMdrly ih~sy iv~c, GT itRm dw AnuBv kuJ v~Krw hI hY[ kwly cmVy dy sItW 'qy pRImIAm kYml slweI bhuq vDIAw l~gdI hY, Aqy hvwdwr PrMt sItW grm idnW iv~c bhuq kMm AwauNdIAW hn[ mh~qvpUrn g~l ieh hY ik kYnyfIAn vwhn hox dy nwqy, GT itRm Aksr hItf stIAirMg vIl Aqy
hItf ipClIAW sItW dy nwl AwauNdI hY, jo swfy mOsm leI bhuq zrUrI hn[ ku~l imlwky ifzweIn sw&-suQrw Aqy mwfrn hY, Aqy mwzdw hmySW frweIvr dI suivDw 'qy iDAwn idMdw hY[ sB k`uJ cMgI qrHW qy shI QW qy l~gdw hY Aqy bhuq AwswnI nwl smJ AwauNdw hY[
frweIv:
ieh Ehlww ih~sw hY ij~Qy mwzdw Awm qOr 'qy cmkdw hY, Aqy CX-50 GT HEV izAwdwqr aumIdW pUrIAW krdw hY[ hweIibRf pwvrtRyn, jo mwzdw itEtw nwl sWJw krdw hY, 2.5 L gYs ieMjx ƒ iqMn ielYkitRk motrW nwl imlw ky ku~l 219 hwrspwvr dI SkqI pYdw krdw hY[ idn pRqIidn frweIivMg leI kwPI joS hY, Aqy e-AWD isstm ivSvws dI mihsUs krwauNdw hY, Kws krky au~cy mOsm vwlIAW siQqIAW iv~c[hYNfilMg auhI hY jo qusIN mwjdw qoN aumId krdy ho – sMvydnSIl Aqy mnorMjk[ ieh koeI sports kwr nhIN hY, pr ieh zrUr Awpxy klws dIAW izAwdwqr
JAG DHATT
mukwbilAW nwloN fRweIv krn leI mzydwr hY[ stIAirMg shI hY, Aqy kony iv~c bwfI rol G~t hY[ rweIf kuAwiltI QoVHI kVI hY, jo hYNfilMg iv~c Xogdwn pwauNdI hY, pr QoVHIAW burIAW sVkW 'qy ieh G~t sihxSIl ho skdI hY[ mYN GT itRm tYst kIqw, ij~Qy v~fy vIls Aqy G~t-pRoPweIl twier hn, jo sMBvq: ausdI krVweI iv~c Xogdwn pwauNdw hY[ Coty vIl vwly mwfl ho skdw hY QoVHw ijAwdw suc~jI rweIf dyx[ hweIibRf isstm cMgI qrHW c~ldw hY, ij~Qy ibjlI Aqy pYtrol pwvr dy ivckwr shI qrHW tRWijSn huMdI hY[ pr, e-CVT QoVHw idKdw hY[ ieh purwxI AwtomYitk
The Coordinated Response to Extortion Targeting South Asian Businesses in Canada
By: Jag Dhatt
Adisturbing rise in organized extortion attempts, primarily targeting members of the South Asian business community across Canada, has prompted a multijurisdictional and international law enforcement response. While the emotional and financial toll on victims remains high, police and government agencies are implementing specialized strategies to dismantle these crime rings and restore community confidence.
The schemes, which first gained widespread attention in late 2023, typically involve Hindi-speaking suspects who use messaging apps like WhatsApp to demand large sums of "protection money." The threats often escalate quickly, resulting in targeted acts of violence, including drive-by shootings and arson at the homes and businesses of those who refuse to pay. These incidents have been reported across British Columbia, Alberta, and Ontario, creating a climate of fear among entrepreneurs.
The threats have often been tragically followed by violent acts, serving as grim warnings to others.
• In Surrey, B.C. Targeted shooting began in December 2023, following an alleged extortion attempt. Alarming incidents involved homes and businesses in the Lower Mainland suburb being shot at multiple times until last week. And recently, Kap’s Café has been a target of 3 shootings in just a few months.
• Edmonton, Alberta has also seen similar events. In late 2023, police investigated multiple arsons and drive-by shootings at residences and businesses tied to extortion plots. One particularly brazen incident involved a
vehicle being set ablaze outside a home, followed by warning shots fired at the property.
• In Ontario, Peel Regional Police have reported numerous incidents, including a shooting at a residence in Brampton in February 2024, which investigators quickly connected to an extortion demand made to a family member who owned a business.
These examples underscore the perpetrators' willingness to escalate threats into real-world violence, making the coordinated law enforcement response all the more critical.
Recognizing the complex, transnational nature of the threats, Canadian law enforcement has moved to a unified approach:
1. Joint Force Operations (JFOs) and Task Forces: Provinces most affected have created dedicated resources. British Columbia, in particular, stood up a B.C. Extortion Task Force led by the RCMP, pooling approximately 40 investigators from various agencies, including municipal police and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This focused effort is designed to share intelligence and coordinate investigations across different jurisdictions.
2. National Coordination: The RCMP established a National Coordination and Support Team to facilitate the seamless sharing of information between police services like Peel Regional Police (Ontario), Edmonton Police Service (Alberta), and the agencies in B.C. This alliance is crucial for understanding the common tactics and links between cases nationwide.
3. International Dimension: Police have publicly acknowledged that the schemes are linked to organized
crime groups based in India, such as the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This has necessitated close collaboration with international partners to secure evidence and disrupt the criminal networks operating overseas.
These coordinated efforts are yielding results. Several arrests have been made across the affected provinces, with charges including extortion, firearms offenses, and arson.
Beyond policing, the B.C. government has taken proactive steps, including:
• Financial and Public Support: Allocating funds to support municipal police investigations and launching public-awareness campaigns in multiple languages (including Punjabi) to encourage victims to come forward. Crucially, authorities are consistently advising victims: “Do not comply with demands. Contact police immediately.”
• Victim Assistance: Ensuring victims have access to support through programs like VictimLinkBC, which offers confidential assistance in over 100 languages.
• Stronger Tools: B.C. Premier David Eby successfully pressed the federal government to have the Lawrence Bishnoi gang listed as a terrorist entity. This designation provides law enforcement and prosecutors with stronger tools to freeze assets and disrupt the financing of these criminal activities.
While the community remains vigilant, the concerted effort by Canadian policing and government to pool resources, target international connections, and provide critical support signals an unwavering commitment to bringing the perpetrators of these violent extortion schemes to justice.
The new Volvo VNR promises to redefine your expectations for productivity, safety, and maneuverability. Boasting up to 7.5% improved fuel efficiency compared to our legacy model. A new era is arriving for Class 8 local and regional haul. Learn more at volvotrucks.ca
