January 2012 Volume 32, Issue 1 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
top notch shop: An artist’s rendering of the new $2-million transportation centre at Bramalea Secondary School.
Brampton high school to launch unique trucking program First-of-its-kind program comes with $2-million shop for future technicians By Adam Ledlow BRAMPTON, Ont. – For decades now, the education system in North America has been trending towards a change in its approach to learning. Studies have recognized various “learning styles” in students – think visual learners, hands-on learners, etc. – and classrooms across the country have been working to adapt their curriculum to accommodate these styles in new and creative ways. A swell of co-op and apprentice-
ship programs in recent years has signalled a movement away from purely theoretical academics as educators begin to see the value in career-based learning. Following this vein, a first-ofits-kind program at a Brampton high school may represent the next step in this educational evolution. Bramalea Secondary School’s Truck and Coach program, set to hit classrooms in the fall of 2012, meshes a variety of learning modes for students inter-
Big-time heavy-haulers Where only the most rugged trailers will do
ested in careers in trucking. “For so long, education has been vocational or occupational approaches – putting the square peg in the round hole or the round peg in the square hole. That is not
creative,” says Dr. Peter Gibson, vice-principal at Bramalea Secondary School. “When we look at creative education, we need to find out what works for our kids, Continued on page 27
Canada, US sign historic border pact OTTAWA, Ont. – The new Beyond the Border perimeter security and trade agreement, announced jointly by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and US President Barack Obama during a press conference Dec. 7, aims to streamline both travel and cross-border business between the two countries, with pilot projects slated to start as soon as April. The announcement follows the Beyond the Border talks of last February and months of consultations and discussions on trade and security. Continued on page 10
Inside This Issue...
• Border BS: Michigan lawmakers have stalled progress towards a second crossing linking Detroit and Windsor. And could the Ambassador Bridge owner be heading to jail? Page 8
• Business ‘ain’t bad’: Fleet executives at the OTA convention
agreed business isn’t that bad compared to the last few years. But what’s in store for the future? Pages 22-24
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• Tire talk: How to avoid roadside service calls in the first place and minimize costs when they’re required.
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Page 57
• Man and Moose on the Loose: A trip to the East Coast lands Mark in a hairy situation.
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