MARCH WEB EDITION CTM

Dave brings to you 36 years of valuable experience in transportation, management, business and compliance. Dave has driven in every condition across North America and overseas as military, police, company driver to owner operator to now Publisher Editor of Canadian Trucking Magazine.

I hope the front cover this month grabbed your attention!

On page 7 I have a write up on GPS from Rand McNally as I have been testing out thier new units since last year.

I am writing about it as I found it be a useful trustworthy piece of equipment for trucking these days.

An interesting experience is I was in town attending the Legion on a Friday night a few weeks back and when I came out it was a blinding snow storm. The kind where you can’t see your own hood.

I was already on the highway when it hit its worst and used the side of the road to know I was still on it and the GPS to tell me where I was.

No place to stop or pull in and dozens of cars with lights flashing that had driven straight into the ditch.

Well I don’t think the GPS was intended as this use, but it told me when the roads came up to when to turn and took me home flying blind. I decided I am writing about GPS.

On page 28 is a very good write up from my friend Wendy Morgan-McBride. If you read anything in this issue, make sure you read this!

What Wendy has organized and put out for us in Stirling is outstanding. Please take the time to read it and say Hi to wendy at the Stirling Truck Show this June.

I have already book my hotels for the truck shows this year.

You can never book to early. Even if you are camping on site, book now.

In this issue you will find the dates for Stirling, Fergus, Dryden and MATS. If you plan your loads right, you should be able to take them all in.

Truck shows are for everyone, whether you drive, work in the industry or just love big trucks.

Each show has it’s own character and is certainly worth taken them all in.

I will be at Stirling again this year looking to give another lucky driver a HERD bar for thier truck. See you all there!

Happy Trails,,,,,,,, Dave

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To GPS or not to GPS

By Dave MacKENZIE with help from my friends at Rand McNally I started commercial driving in 1973. Yep 1973 some 38 years ago I had to find addresses and make deliveries.

I did not have my trusted co-driver by my side to say turn this way Daddy!

I used a map,and learned quickly to spend the money on a good one and new one each year.

Back then I used a Rand McNally Map as they never failed me and I guess after 150 years of mapping who else would I trust.

William Rand (L.), Andrew McNally (R.)

Bit of trivia here, how many of my fellow drivers out there know the year was 1856, the location: Chicago, economic capital of the American middle-west and burgeoning railroad hub.

William Rand (d. 1904), late of Boston, opened a print shop where “every description of printing, on the most advantageous terms� could be had. Soon he was joined by immigrant Irishman Andrew McNally (d. 1905) at the thenaffluent sum of $9 a week, and together they set about to serve the printing needs of the business community of Chicago. 150 years later, Rand McNally is the most renowned and recognized name in American map publishing and offers travel products from traditional maps and atlases to computer navigation and truck driving management software But I am getting ahead of myself here a bit!

After 38 years on the road, it is really hard for me not to know how to get to a drop anymore, at least to the city or town where the drop is. I would bet this is the same as you.

When these GPS units first came out, I saw a lot of newbes with them stuck to thier dash and pealing trailer tops on bridges in Chicago or ending up in dead ends with no place to turn.My comment was get a map, make it a Rand McNally and learn how to read it.

Driver if you are going to Chicago, get the low bridges map located at any truck stop around the windy city.

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But just last year even my eyes opened to GPS. Now the rest of this is going to sound like an info commercial because finally my Friends at Rand McNally has put out thier own GPS. One that won’t put you in a lake or end up in a brick wall, The horror stories are out there my friend and are true. But this is made for Truckers, tested by truckers, and tested by me, on the road.

Driven by upgraded technology and feedback from longhaul truck drivers, Rand McNally has launched two new truck-specific GPS units: the 5-inch IntelliRoute® TND™ 510, and the large, high-definition 7-inch IntelliRoute® TND™ 710. The new units incorporate user-requested enhancements, the ability to incorporate real-time traffic, and a newly designed, thinner hardware unit.

“Rand McNally is committed to the commercial transportation industry and to the professional driver. Thier industry-leading IntelliRoute® TND™ line has been enhanced to provide further value to the over-the-road driver, The Trucker Business Tools continue to lead the market in innovation, providing ways to make the business side of driving easier, while reducing in cab distractions.

New enhancements include: Virtual Dashboard – At a glance, drivers can view sunrise or sunset, odometer, speed, altitude and other key metrics.

Traffic Predictor (Available only on the TND™ 710) – Integrates historic traffic patterns into routing.

Real-time traffic compatible – Truckers can calculate driving time with congestion ahead, or seek alternate routes. An additional accessory is needed; that accessory will be available at www.randmcnally.com for the suggested retail price of $89.99 and includes a lifetime traffic feed.

View Current Location by Mile Marker - View location by mile marker along major interstates.

Enhanced Truck-specific Points of Interest – Now includes truck washes, towing and service, and truck repair information from Truck Down®.

Find a Location by Latitude and Longitude - Useful when delivering to oil fields, solar windmill fields, new construction, etc.

Finding a Destination by ZIP Code – One of the most requested enhancements, the new feature includes three-character input for Canada Enhanced Quick Planner Now includes user-defined average speed to further specify the time required from point to point.

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Multi-Stop Entire Route Preview – Now choose from Detail View, Highway View (New), Trip Summary and Summary Map View (New) to better review a planned route.

Enhanced Voice Warnings – Drivers can prepare for sharp curves, upgrade/downgrade, time zone, upcoming construction, border crossing, and speed limit changes with userset warnings.

Loaded vs. Empty Option Allows the driver to select whether he/she is carrying content; required for IFTA reporting purposes.

The IntelliRoute® TND™ line was developed from the ground up for truckers. Tested extensively by professional drivers on the road, the units feature louder speakers designed for truck use; truck-designed mounting features such as an oversized suction cup and extra-long power cable; and a suite of specialized Trucker Business Tools to assist drivers in managing the business aspects of trucking. Many of the new features in the IntelliRoute® TND™ 510 and 710 units were developed as a direct result of tens of thousands of comments from drivers that came

in via “Tell Rand,” a unique on-device feature that provides continuous feedback to Rand McNally from the driver community.

The IntelliRoute® TND™ line of GPS products is “Trucker tested. Trucker approved.” Suggested retail price is $349 for the 510 and $449 for the 710. Both units are available at truck stops nationwide and at other online retailers.

Visit www.randmcnally.com/truckgps for more information.

About Rand McNally – Rand McNally is the most trusted source for maps, directions, and travel content. Rand McNally's products and services include: Interactive travel service, Tripology; America’s #1 Road Atlas; IntelliRoute® truck routing software and GPS devices; TruckPC mobile communications solutions for the transportation industry; and the leading geographybased educational resources for the classroom. Consumers, businesses, truckers, and educators depend upon Rand McNally to help navigate today’s world. www.RandMcNally.com

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www.albertamissingpersons.ca John Lyle ARMSTRONG 47 Years old at time of disappearance Height: 173 cm; 5’8” Weight: 73 kg; 161 lbs Hair Colour: Red-Grey Eye Colour: Green Date Last Seen: March 21, 2009 Place Last Seen: Calgary, Alberta File# 09098801 Calgary Police Service (403-266-1234) Information: ARMSTRONG left his home and said he was going for a long walk.

Rene Lynn GUNNING 19 Years old at time of disappearance Height: 157 cm; 5’2” Weight: 50 kg; 111 lbs Hair Colour: Black Eye Colour: Brown Date Last Seen: February 18, 2005 Place Last Seen: Edmonton, Alberta File# 2003-6950 RCMP Project KARE (1-877-412-5273) Information: GUNNING was last known to be leaving West Edmonton Mall in hope of hitchhiking back to British Columbia.

Kevin Glen PURDY 31 Years old at time of disappearance Height: 183 cm; 6’0” Weight: 75 kg; 166 lbs Hair Colour: Brown Eye Colour: Brown Date Last Seen: August 22, 1999 Place Last Seen: Red Deer, Alberta File# 99-20693 RCMP Red Deer City Detachment (403-343-5575) Information: PURDY was last seen leaving his home in Red Deer. His vehicle was later located north of Red Deer.

Amber Alyssa TUCCARO 20 Years old at time of disappearance Height: 155 cm; 5’1” Weight: 65 kg; 143 lbs Hair Colour: Black Eye Colour: Brown Date Last Seen: August 18, 2010 Place Last Seen: Nisku, Alberta File#20101010799 RCMP Leduc Detachment (780-980-7200) Information: Amber TUCCARO was last seen at the Nisku Place Hotel. She has not been in contact with anyone since that date.

Any information in regards to any missing person you are asked to please call the investigating agency at the numbers provided or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

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Sandy Long - Making Changes In the latest issue of Landline Magazine is a letter to the editor from a friend of mine. In it he talks about how women are still treated in the industry at truck stops, shippers and receivers and among other places we all have to do busi ness at or with.

He is right in his contention that it should not happen that a woman driver is not waited on, served, talked to with respect or acknowledged as a professional driver. Things are better than they were 20-30 years ago, but there is still much room for improvement.

Some of we women drivers are working on making the changes we see as needed. Last fall, myself and several other of the Women In Trucking Association Driver Advisory Committee had a phone conference with the executives from the TA/Petro corporation.

During the over two hour conference call, we women drivers addressed the very issues at truck stops that my friend in his letter to the editor mentioned; that of courtesy given to women at the restaurants, fuel desks and shops affiliated with TA/Petro.

The executives all agreed that it was unacceptable for any woman to be disrespected as a customer of their truck stops and they said that they would institute some additional training for staff to address courtesy towards women drivers especially.

In addition to the above issue concerning women, during the conference call, we also initiated dialog about lighting, pot holes, security and goods available in the stores with the executives that affects all drivers not just women.

One of the things I brought up specifically was cleanliness in the bathrooms and showers; I told them, “it does not make a difference if you have big orange towels and flowers if the floor is not clean.”

In my friend’s letter to the editor, he mentioned organizations that are not addressing the issues facing women quickly enough or something to that effect. As a charter member of Women In Trucking Association and as a member of their Driver Advisory Committee, I have seen some good things happen in the four years since it’s founding. A White Paper, which Ellen Voie started researching even before the founding of WIT, is now available thru J.J. Keller, free to WIT’s corporate members, that addresses the treatment of trainees of both genders.

From the Trucker.com: “The trucking industry has struggled with how to avoid harassment issues between driver trainers and trainees during the initial weeks of employment. “The practice of putting two unrelated individuals in the cab of a truck for a few weeks of training can create a tenuous environment, especially when one is a male and one is a female,” said Ellen Voie, President/CEO of Women In Truck-

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ing Association.” ““Unfortunately, the situation is unavoidable if there are not enough female trainers to accompany a female trainee,” Voie remarked.

“We realize that harassment issues are not limited to those of opposite gender, so the white paper will be gender neutral to address potential harassment scenarios and offer ways to minimize or eliminate negative interaction,” she added.”

The 2nd annual Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel will be again at MATS this year highlighting women drivers and their accomplishments.

This tribute to women truckers puts women out in the limelight so to speak and brings attention to the fact that women are valuable assets to the trucking industry and are garnering millions of miles both as solo and team drivers. It might not seem like much to some people, but it is amazing to see the photo of all those women truckers in their red shirts standing together and focuses media and public attention on the positive role women play in the trucking industry.

As far as organizations go, in my opinion, OOIDA uses a sledgehammer weighted with our huge (though not huge enough yet) membership and their almost four decades of experience in making changes and in getting their point across. The Women In Trucking Association uses a tack hammer and through their affiliations with trucking companies on all levels is chipping away at the inequalities

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facing we women in the trucking industry in all areas of it. WIT encourages their connections to see

women as a valuable resource to fill their truck’s seats and to treat them equally with our brother drivers.

As a young organization, we members at WIT are making the connections necessary to effect change in the future with politicians, companies and other organizations.

Eventually, through good publicity such as the Salute to the Women Behind the Wheel, the White Paper concerning policies to avoid harassment of trainees of both genders and opportunities given to us member advocates of the trucking industry through interaction with people who approach WIT for accurate information; WIT will graduate to a bigger hammer.

Until then, we women drivers need to be patient, good things will come through hard work and finesse; I cannot wait for the day we are treated totally equally with our brother drivers, but it will come, making changes just takes some time.

Ya’ll be safe out there!

Continued on page 22

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Sandy Long is a long time truck driver who is also very active within the trucking industry. She was a long time writer for layover.com, is a life member of OOIDA, member of the WIT and owner of two websites: Trailer Truckin’ Tech, a yahoo group dedicated to the education of new and prospective truck drivers and www.satinandsteelsisterhood.com for women truck drivers.

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Sandy’s first book Street Smarts: A Guide for a Truck Driver’s Personal Safety is available at https://www.createspace.com/34 49566

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By Wendy Morgan-McBride

Memorial Highway in Heaven ~ A Tribute for Truckers, what can I say about this four year old project I established and is very near and dear to my heart. It all got started because I was missing my dad, Harold Morgan, I wanted a place to put my honor and respect for a man who had driven truck practically all my life, it was a standing joke that I was the milk man’s kid and my sister was the vegetable guy’s kid….see he was delivering milk when I was born and my sister, well you get the jest of it…not sure about my brother, but anyways my dad was my idol, he went everywhere, loved life, was giving, loved people and missed his family, which he was very proud of.

When I started searching for a place to honor such a respected truck driver in the industry and in our community, there was nothing around…I thought my god if I am feeling this way then there must be others, I remember our first Christmas without him, he passed away October 30, 2003, but when you have a trucker in your life you don’t always notice them being gone, you miss them but they

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are on the road and you just have a mindset that they will be home soon, you will see them again, maybe they will call, but they are always somewhere, when they pass, well it sometimes takes longer to realize they are gone forever…so here I am on our first Christmas waiting for my sister, at the 10 Acre Truck Stop, it is Dec 23rd, we are running to do last minute shopping, and she is late, as usual, she has 3 kids and time is always an issue. I am watching trucks come in and out, as I watch, my mind says maybe that is dad, there are dump trucks, tankers, flatbeds, reefers, box trucks, everything imaginable, all trying to get home for the holidays, but in my mind each one could be my dad, and here I am waiting thinking boy will he be surprised to see me, since he drove for many companies, and hauled many different loads, it is not impossible for me to think that anyone of these wonderful large machines could be him. Suddenly it hits me as each truck pulls into its’ spot and the driver leaps out that there will never be one of those being my dad…he’s not coming home, he is already home…his finally home , and it is not with us, not with me. I need someplace to put these feelings, show this respect, have some closure, find some comfort, caring, love, friendship and peace.

Memorial Highway in Heaven ~ A Tribute for Truckers The Story of the Mudflaps Highway The mudflap was actually a light bulb my husband and I both experienced while watching a movie, a trucking movie, none other than Black Dog, not the movie you would think would inspire something as sensitive and noble as the Memorial Highway or any highway I guess. I knew I wanted a way to honour my dad, my orginal idea was to use luminary bags to form the outline of a truck and eventually as we grew the trailer also – an ambition project I know realize – but also something that would not of been recognized unless I had a crane for people to climb so they could see my vision. While watching Black Dog, there was a shot of the truck racing down the highway and the camera was focused on the mudflap and the yellow line, and it reminded me of my dad, his love of the highway, the stories of ‘white line fever’. I never quite understood it, how dangerous this could be, how it could impact a driver’s life, his families and that of all the other drivers sharing that highway.

If mudflaps could talk I am sure they would have some of those same stories my dad spoke, what they had seen, where they had been, crossing the white lines, the four wheelers following too close, honking horns, blinding headlights, the accidents and being left behind, just like the truck and drivers who travel the highways.

When I thought about the drivers and mudflaps being one in the same in so many ways, I thought well drivers have passed away on the highways, off/on ramps, at home and far from home.

Drivers have favorite trucks, loyalty to companies and personalities that are all expressed via their trucks and the mudflaps that adorn them. A mudflap a small way of helping shield rain , slush, mud and other debris from flying back on other drivers and to protect the underbody of vehicles – a rubber square mat that can advertise a company, place, dealership, product or character such as Bugs, Yosemite Sam or my personal favorite the skunk or the moose, can decorate a truck with chrome trimmings but most often speaks volumes about the driver and the pride of his truck and his job – so mudflaps were the perfect way to display a highway with east/west or north/south lanes, on/off ramps all leading to the final journey in life for a trucker, the Highway in Heaven.

Finding these mudflaps was not an easy task, I made this decision in March, had been plan-

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ning and made my presentation to the Stirling Truck Show committee in November, only to wait till the new year to get their support and affirmed ‘yes’ they would supply a site at the show which has since became our permanent location. That was four years ago – I had my husband going crazy, stopping along the road for abandon flaps, pulling into truck stops, asking drivers and garages if they would consider donating any old mudflaps or ‘found’ flaps from yards and journeys they were taking. I striked out to parking lots and company yards in the industry parks late into the night going into restricted and possibly dangerous areas – unbeknown to myself – waiting for snow to melt, getting cove red in mud and melting new people/truckers/mechanics, dispatchers and owners, all encouraging me and wishing me luck, all the time feeling my dad smiling/riding with me, encouraging me/laughing with me, hugging me when I became emotional.

Mudflaps started piling up behind the CRS gatehouse, showing up at the gate.

I was re-visiting tire shops and bugging dealerships - explaining we have freightliner recognized, you really wouldn’t want t us to leave Peterbilt out and so on. I even called the Harley Davidson shop and they immediately donated a pair of mudflaps for raffle, I was amazed, tickled, full of glee like a child at Christmas, each one special, with its’ scars and cuts, character or company, all with a story to go with it, the veterans and the

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newbies united just like truckers, together for a common goal.

The luminary Angel bags we place on the mudflap highway represent those that have passed, weather they drove truck, were a family member of a driver, worked in the industry at a company or in a truck stop they all made the decision to make a trucker smile, and changed the lives of those around them.

When I design each preordered bag, there is nothing but love felt for that person and their family for the loss they have suffered, and when it is finished I ask which mudflap would be most appropriate, some say I am not sure, I will mention that I have the all the makers of trucks represented, if they wish to use the persons favorite truck, but also that I have some with companies and some with characters, one brother and sister team that purchased a bag at the show was really at a conflict, their dad did not have a favorite truck, or company, so my husband asked of him personally, the sister giggled he could be grumpy so my husband said well there is Yosemite Sam,

Continued on Page 34

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they both laughed said yes that would be him, later after the lighting ceremony they came and gave me a huge hug, that was the best, they said they seen their father in another light, a special light, the light of an Angel

Trucking Families in Need was born.

After all this, I started asking drivers what they would like to see happen to any funds raised, I was having a hard time, I had contacted the Ministry but they did not have any programs, I contacted the Truckers Ass., they never returned my calls, so it was said well what would your dad do, I said well he always helped others, I even seen him give it coat to someone who needed it worse than him in a blizzard, he even went to a friends to help his family with food to stay warm and took time away from his family to help them. It was staring me in the face, I could carry on where he left off, I could have a fund available for those same families, I knew that if a trucker passed there would insurance and such for them but what

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about when a driver gets hurts and is waiting for benefits, what about his family, how do they eat, pay their bills, what if one of a drivers family members gets ill, OHIP pays for the patient maybe even a parent, but what about the gas to an out of town hospital, the cost of meals and lodging – so that is where I have been using the funds, my husband and I have put in almost all the expenses, and will probably never see it balance out,

but when you see a family grateful for a food in their freezer, a bit of money to get them home when their company has laid them off, or a driver smile just because you have come to visit and brought hope with a meal or toy for their child, it all make the loss of money easier. I always want to do more, I guess that is my dad coming through, but each hug and smile is my dad sending me peace, letting me know I have done something good and I am on the right track.

Trucking Families are like any family and there is help from the government and other community programs but they are also people with pride and they are special they are our Highway Heroes, they make sure our country continues to function, fighting traffic, weather, construction and pressures of being away from their families while their dispatcher asks them to take just one more load. Anyone can help with the fund, or help the Memorial Highway; you can donate time, money, items for out raffles at our yearly event, or buy one of our luminary angel bags or hats.

I accept everyone… I always respond to emails and requests, sometime it takes me longer than I wish but I treasure all of our dedicated men and women making their lives on the highways alone but always thinking about home.

This year’s show is promising to be a great one as they all are. We welcome back Country Singer Paul Dow, he is a top 40’s song writer/singer, my nieces Kennedy and Meaghan, the singing sister duo has sang for us two years in with first Amazing Grace by 9 yrs old Kennedy and then last year the two sang “I miss you” and left the crowd in tears.

Have a unique or favorite mudflap you would like to see on our highway, please contact me to make arrangements to get it there.

You are always welcome to send me emails, leave me comment on our website (www.tributefortruckers.com) or visit our facebook page(Memorial Highway in Heaven) or Friendship Memorial Highway page,

Rev Don Harrison, from Open Road Chapel, has helped us out with a prayer and beautiful stories for 2 of our 3 years and we are hoping he can help again this year, as well, Dave MacKENZIE of Canadian Trucking Magazine and Barb Woodward of Ontario Trucking News will read our exclusive poem When God made Truckers.

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The show is held on Father’s Day weekend, which falls on June 18/19th this year and our special lighting ceremony will start at 8:00 PM,

and shortly there after, you will be able to enjoy the light show of the trucks, it blends well and with all those air horns going off, while the darkness sets in and the angels of the highway appear, it is the perfect send off, you just feel the peace and comfort and friendship coming around you and the love of those lost surrounding you .

Anyone wishing to learn more about the highway in person can see us at the Ontario Trucking News booth, on Saturday, May 28th, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM at the Road Today Truck Show, Brampton, ON (www.roadtodaytruckshow.com) , I also set up a table at the 10 Acres Truck Stop the week of May 4- 6th, from 4 -8 PM, and we will have our booth at the Stirling Truck Show (www.stirlingtruckshow.com) Father’s Day weekend, June 18/19th, Special lighting Ceremony Saturday at 8:00 PM.

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Harold Morgan

Hope to meet you at one or more of these locations and love hearing from you, about you and those you have lost…as always xoxoxo…Wendy MorganMcBride

Thank-you Harold Morgan for your contributions. You have left us in body but your given lives on in the beutiful daughter Wendy and the great works you both have created here, Dave MacKENZIE, CTM

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Dawn Truell

Recent Border Seizures

By: Dawn Truell, President, Cross Border Services There are reasons why we need to Comply with Government Programs such as C-TPAT & PIP, drug smuggling today is out of control, these programs aid in protecting us all from drug smugglers.

Users have suffered serious side effects, including panic attacks, heart palpitations, hallucination, delusions and vomiting. It is also illegal in many European countries and several states in the United States.

Five Charged, One Million Doses Seized in Largest Ever Ketamine Bust, Vancouver, British Columbia. On December 7, 2010, border services officers identified a suspicious shipment onboard a container vessel arriving from Hong Kong. Documentation accompanying the shipment identified the goods as 402 cartons of coffee mugs. When CBSA officers examined the 20-foot marine container, they noticed discrepancies in the Xray images and conducted a full examination of the container.

Here are some recent border seizures: CBSA and CPS seize $30,000 worth of synthetic cannabis in Calgary, Alberta on Tuesday, January 25, 2011; this investigation resulted in the execution of search warrants by both agencies on seven stores known to sell drug paraphernalia used for marijuana. Inside, officers seized 770 packages of a product containing suspected synthetic cannabis, which is illegal in Canada.

Synthetic cannabis, which also goes by the brand names Spice, K2, Yucatan Fire, Tribe and Skunk, is an herbal and chemical product which mimics the effects of cannabis.

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Their examination confirmed 318 cartons of coffee mugs and 84 boxes that contained coffee mugs and vacuum sealed bags containing a white crystalline powder. Tests performed by border services officers indicated that the bags contained ketamine hydrochloride. A total of 1003.9 kg of ketamine was seized. Ketamine is a tranquilizer with hallucinogenic properties. The 1003.9 kg seized in this file represents well over 1 million doses — enough ketamine for every person in the cities of Surrey and Vancouver combined.

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This seizure represents more than $15 million taken out of the wallets of drug traffickers. Ketamine causes symptoms including amnesia, depression, and long-term memory and cognitive problems.

The drug can be used on its own, but it is also commonly cut and mixed into ecstasy pills, or is used as a date-rape drug. Ketamine is in the same category as cocaine, opium and heroin and is illegal to import, possess or sell. The maximum penalty for importing or trafficking ketamine is life imprisonment.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized more than $119,000 in marijuana and arrested two men in separate cases. According to court records, the 20 year old man was arrested Sunday at Los Indios International Bridge by CBP and later charged by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement with possession of a controlled substance. A 21 year old man was arrested Friday at Gateway International Bridge and also charged

by ICE with possession of a controlled substance

Cross Border Services deals with all of these government compliancy programs and regulations, for Information please contact

www.crossborderservices.org crossborderservices@cogeco.net

905-973-9136 Information on any cross border issues contact crossborderservices@cogeco.net 905-973-9136.

Dawn Truell, President, Cross Border Services 43

AMTA Assembles Western Canada’s First Road Knights Team The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has assembled the West’s first team of road safety ambassadors called the AMTA Road Knights Team. The team members were selected because of their collision-free driving record, commitment to safety and enthusiasm for the industry in which they have made their career.

AMTA Road Knights are professional transport drivers with flawless driving records who meet with community groups to share their knowledge about how to safely share the road with trucks. Their mission is to make our roadways safer by encouraging all road users to be partners 46

in safety. The team also works to increase awareness of trucking’s economic importance and to promote the industry as a viable career choice.

Over the next two years, the AMTA Road Knights will appear at driving schools, business clubs, high schools, social clubs and other public venues.

The 2011-2012 AMTA Road Knights are: Robert Wells, Bison Transport, Calgary Dennis Hokanson, Trimac Transportation, Edmonton Craig Gavel, Bison Transport, Edmonton Darwin Glenn Clark, Trimac Transportation, Edmonton

The selection panel included representatives from: Alberta Transportation, Workers’ Compensation Board, Calgary Police Service, Corus Entertainment, Today’s Trucking magazine, Truck West magazine and AMTA. Candidates who were short listed for the program were required to deliver a well organized and clearly presented speech before the panel of judges, submit a detailed application outlining why they want to become a team member and then participate in a rigorous interview by the selection panel.

Team members will now undergo training to help them further prepare for their role as industry ambassadors.

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Randy Houser

Keith Anderson

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Jack Lee

How do

you your true cost of refuelling. It is a lot more than the price at the pumps. Is it worth the effort? The best solution is finding the right fuel supplier. But how do you decide?

Christmas is over.

The kids are back in school,winter vacations are done and with fewer distractions now you can focus on making some improvements to your business. If you are fuel-reliant this could be the time to find a new supplier. Why? There are a number of reasons.

Most companies who upgrade have become tired of the hassles associated with refuelling, like fuel shortages, wasted time and production and all the associated risks.

If you aren’t happy with your current supplier this article will point you in the right direction.

First of all, if you are doing your own fuel acquisition there is a better way.

We’ve talked about this before. All the time and hassle compounds your costs giving 50

Here is an easy to follow TEN POINT CHECKLIST to help you make the right decision…

1) Reliability. Does the supplier guarantee fuel delivery regardless of regional fuel shortages? Check their track history.

2) Convenience. Can they deliver 24/7, 365 days a year?

3) Professional staff. Are their people well trained and certified?

4) ISO Certification. Do they adhere to standardized operations and procedures?

5) Service guarantee. Can they grow and adapt with your changing fuel needs?

6) Data capture capabilities. Are they on top of cur-

you choose the right fuel supplier? rent technology to supply you with detailed fuel data, online reporting, docket review and all the information you need?

7) Reconciliation. Do they have a committed support staff available to answer your questions fast?

8) Theft Prevention. Can the supplier provide anti-theft security, tank monitoring with remote service?

9) Environmentally responsible. How do they ensure safety in the workplace?

What is their incident rate?

Are they 100% accountable?

If a spill occurs will they do the clean up?

will come a day this winter when your competitors are lining up for fuel while you go on with your business. In fact, if you’ve got the right supplier you won’t even know there’s a problem.

Jack Lee is CEO of 4Refuel – the largest onsite fuel management company in Canada and a global leader in technology designed to help businesses reduce their fuel expenses.

Got a question about fuel?

Ask the fuel expert by emailing Jack at AskTheFuelExpert@4Refuel.com

10) National network. Are they capable of fleet refuelling between regions with data support for all your equipment and can give you support for business expansion?

Whew, that’s a long list, but if you invest some time now and choose the right fuel supplier you won’t be left high and dry. There 51

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