Rebranding: AMTA unleashes new logo, image and website in effort to better serve its members.
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Lobbying: STA hopes to build on its successful lobbying efforts into 2017 and beyond.
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Western Canada’s Trucking Newspaper Since 1989
February 2017 Volume 37, Issue 1
Testing a Mack: Mack’s new refuse truck offers improved driver comfort and safety features.
truckwest.ca
RETAIL A DV E R T I SIN G PAGES 31 -4
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Alberta’s new carbon tax
AMTA believes the levy will have significant impact on trucking industry By Derek Clouthier It’s been over a year since the Insurance Bureau of Canada introduced the cargo theft reporting program to Western Canada, and the number of filed reports has continued to rise.
Reporting on the rise
Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau
After a year in Western Canada, IBC’s cargo theft reporting program viewed favorably
Contact Derek Clouthier Derek@ Newcom.ca or call 403-969-1506
PM40063170
By Derek Clouthier
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EDMONTON, Alta. – It was just over a year ago when the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) announced the expansion of its cargo theft reporting program in Western Canada, and thus far, the high number of reported incidents has stood out. “The high volume of reports surprised us the most,” IBC national director for investigative services Garry Robertson said of the program’s inaugural year. “And as more agencies come online, they will only increase. The reports are continuing to climb as people become aware of the program. This is new on the list of known and documented criminal activities, so as people become more aware, the reporting increases.” Robertson said the cargo theft reporting program has established a strong foundation in Western Canada with the support of various trucking associations, major police agencies and significant media coverage. The creation of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) six years ago, with a pilot program launched
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in 2011 in Ontario and Quebec, the cargo theft reporting program allows insurers and trucking companies to report cargo theft and claims information to the IBC online, through the CTA or a provincial trucking association. The IBC then distributes the information through its investigative team to regional partners across the country and in the US. The information is maintained in a national database and analyzed regularly to identify trends and patterns. “Essentially by doing this, IBC connects the dots by bringing all key stakeholder groups into the loop,” said William Adams, IBC vice-president of the western and pacific regions, during last year’s announcement in Edmonton. “We don’t do any of this alone. That’s why it’s so important for everyone involved – law enforcement, motor services agencies, insurers, trucking associations, firms and other stakeholders – to build strong partnerships and to share information that will assist in our common objectives.” Reports during the first year in Western Canada Continued on page 11
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CALGARY, Alta. – “We think there’s going to be a definite impact on our industry,” Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) president Lorraine Card said of the province’s new carbon tax levy. “It was very bad timing with the downturn in the economy and a lot of our members are currently struggling.” Commencing Jan. 1, Albertans were welcomed to 2017 with higher fuel prices, among increases for some other services and goods, in the NDP government’s effort to raise money to diversify the province’s energy industry and encourage people and businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. Card, however, said with some AMTA members having to close their doors, lay off staff or endure salary rollbacks during Alberta’s approximate two-year downturn, a carbon tax is not what the industry needed right now. “So we know it’s tough out there and we think this (Alberta’s carbon tax) is just another burden on our industry that we really just don’t need at this point in time.” Card said one of the most frustrating aspect of the NDP’s carbon tax is that when the minister first made the announcement in 2015, the AMTA was hopeful the government would be open to working with the transportation industry to establish some kind of savings on carbon tax for companies that employ energy reduction measures, such as single wide-base tires, boat tails, side skirts and electronic logging devices (ELDs), all of which Card said would help reduce fuel consumption. “We plan to meet with the government and hopefully if some trucking companies are taking the initiative Continued on page 9
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