December 2010 Volume 30, Issue 12 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Cabotage concerns
Convoy for a Cure rolls on
Are US carriers flouting Canadian cabotage law? By James Menzies TORONTO, Ont. – What’s wrong with this picture: A pair of drivers with distinct American accents openly discuss the trip ahead as they wait to pick up a load in Rexdale, Ont. destined for Richmond, B.C.? Or how about a team driver from Tennessee that admits over the CB he just dropped a load in Dorval, Que. and is headed to Vancouver with a new load in tow? Or in Portage La Prairie, Man., where team drivers from a northern state talk of their regular run between Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. and B.C.? Each of the cases described above, and others, have been brought to the attention of Truck News in recent weeks as Canadian drivers say they’ve noticed a recent increase in what appear to be Canadian immigration and cabotage law violations by US-based trucking companies. The most egregious case we’ve heard of involved a US team out of a northern state that told Canadian driver Darla-Jean Wotherspoon they were hired specifically for a dedicated run within Canada. The team drivers, Wotherspoon recalls, said they cross empty into Canada at Sault Ste. Marie, do a switch with a solo driver at the Husky Truck Stop and then take that load to Richmond, B.C. where they pick up another load for return to the Soo. That team then drops its return load with a solo driver in Sault
ready to roll: This truck belonging to Alan Warren of Montrose, P.E.I. and driven by Mike Ouellet took part in the support convoy in the New Brunswick version of the popular Convoy for a Cure.
By James Menzies CORNWALL, Ont. – In just their third year, the female-driven Convoy for a Cure truck convoys have already raised nearly a quarter million dollars for breast cancer programs. This year marked the best yet for the growing event,
with well over 100 trucks taking part in five convoys and raising about $118,000 between them. The New Brunswick convoy raised the most money, with 35 truck drivers contributing about $40,000. The original convoy in Cornwall, Ont. was again spear-
headed by Rachele Champagne, the founder of the event, and it included 45 trucks and raised nearly $ 20,000. For the first time, a second convoy was held in Ontario, including 35 trucks and raising $ 30,0 0 0. Continued on page 8
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Inside This Issue...
• The view from the US: A full report from the American Trucking
Associations annual convention, including an economic outlook. Is a complete recovery on the near horizon? Page 12
• Down east:
The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association recently held a transportation summit that shed new light on the Maritime trucking industry. Page 15
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• A new standard: US legislators have introduced fuel economy standards for trucks. How will they affect you?
Page 40
• A Merry Dalton Christmas: Feeling lonely, Mark Dalton tries
See pg. 34
to make the most of his Christmas season.
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