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Great
Minimum
Robert D. Scheper
The USM_A, is the result of our public “servants”
Under most circumstances, I’m an optimist. My friends say I could be up to my neck in s**t and say, “my goodness, what a beautiful blue sky”. Before the election, I told all the clients who asked me about the future of trucking in Canada, and I said that things will get better. Starting with Alberta oil, the economy should reflect a much more positive future. I did not believe that Canada would return another Liberal government, or that they would continue to strangle our natural resources (as Trudeau did). Well, I was wrong again. Something I seem to be getting rather good at.
However, I remained optimistic on the impact that Carney may have on our natural resources and his ability to negotiate with Trump. Unfortunately, step by step and blunder by blunder, the doors keep slamming shut on Carney... or Carney himself is closing doors. Forecasting is extremely difficult… especially about the future (Yogi Berra).
Given the very soft response by Trump toward Canada, my optimistic demeanour is now suspect. For clarification, I’m not placing all the blame on Carney… I think Ford’s belligerent attitude of BOTH elbows
and knee thrusts has kneecapped us in the middle of a marathon. Gaining personal political points at the expense of National interests is (at least in my opinion) a narcissistic dereliction of duty. Some ‘public servants’ are more ‘self-serving’ than publicserving. Consequently, I am increasingly convinced the USMCA will end up being… USM_A.
Unfortunately, I think we are stuck with what we are stuck with. Our politicians have led us to a very dry desert, and I don’t see any rain in the forecast. Hauling water around this country is very expensive, especially if the philosophy of the government is that THEY are in charge of all water distribution.
Oh, what a ‘Debbie Downer’ I am (sorry to all the Debbies out there).
I do think it could be a lot worse. We could still have Trudeau, who, I’m convinced, would have quickly driven us over a cliff, with much fanfare, while wearing beautiful socks and sporting perfectly groomed hair. But now, of course, his hair is left in the hands of Katy Perry.
See? I got my optimism back.
There is a hope for Canada in the tariff department… the US Supreme Court MAY deem the tariffs unconstitutional. I’m not holding my breath for anything, but it is a possibility, at least according to the internet, which of course, ALWAYS tells the truth. It would be most wise to wait for the rulings and appeals before commenting on anything.
However, the Civil War raging in the US is being fought out through the court systems and the last few fibres of the traditional media. To retain one’s mental health, we should all walk a wide berth around the hornets’ nest of media until the Supreme Court has the final say. It’s a little like having your best friend go through a nasty divorce… just back away nodding in support until the papers are signed and the dust has settled (which usually doesn’t occur but for this metaphor I suggest this idea). The split in US ideology is so vast that, for many, I don’t even think the Supreme Court will be able to settle things. Without divine intervention, the USA may be destined for continual long-term strife and animosity. How depressing!
It could be worse. It could be 1864 or 1865, where hundreds of thousands used REAL bullets aimed at hundreds of thousands. Oh look… I got my optimism back.
My advice is: keep your head down, stop listening to traditional media, find great independent podcasts, live within your means and be nice to your neighbours. Almost everything we see in the news is beyond our control.
What we ARE in control of is our day-to-day actions and reactions. Build your career in trucking with merit as its foundation. Bring value to those you serve, and when you do that long enough, eventually your behaviour will build a quality of life that you DESERVE.
BTW… the origin of the word DESERVE is the Old French word deservir and Latin word deservire, meaning “serve well”. Deserve means “to merit or be worthy of” due to qualities and actions. We ‘deserve’ our circumstances and its results based on how well we have ‘served’ others… even in times of war. It’s not perfect but it has a better chance of success than the USMCA.
About the Author:
Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/ Owner Operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars. You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount. com or 1-877-987-9787.
CHECK OUT THE PODCASTS AT “YOUTUBE.COM/@MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT”
Messer Canada Celebrates Skill and Safety at 2025 Driver Competition
On September 17, Messer Canada Inc. hosted its Driver Safety competition and driver of the year awards at the company’s headquarters in Mississauga.
The day-long event is designed to celebrate the company’s best drivers from across Canada and to recognize their critical role in safely delivering industrial gas and welding products on time and in excellent condition. It also serves as a team-building opportunity for employees across the organization.
Eight drivers took part in the “rodeo”— essentially an obstacle course in which the drivers accurately and safely maneuver their vehicles. At the end, the driver is required to back up as close to a yellow line as possible without going over it, as if they were driving up to a customer’s loading dock.
The drivers are the top eight from across Canada and the company’s three regions.
“The drivers collect points throughout the year based on how they drive their truck, their fuel consumption, how up to date their training is, if they participate in safety meetings, if they report on safety conditions at customer sites, and how they contribute improvement ideas to the team,” said Head of Operations, François Charron.
As much as it’s a fun event for everyone, the goal is to reduce risks on the road. Since introducing the program three years
ago, Charron notes that driver incidents have been reduced drastically.
“We can track a great deal of information from technology on the vehicles, so we can review things like speeding, following too close, and fuel consumption quite effectively,” he said. “This program has encouraged a new level of excellence for our team.”
“A constant focus on excellence is what we aim for,” said Messer Canada VP and General Manager Karl Villeneuve. “That’s key, because success depends on your people. This competition is real-time excellence demonstrated.”
Joining the Messer Canada team at the event were its gold partners, including Excellence Peterbilt, Gincor Werx, Hangcha Canada, Ipro Truck Repairs, and Paccar.
“Not only is this a great opportunity for our employees to gather together, it’s also an opportunity for them to learn more about our partners and what services they have to offer,” said Villeneuve. “As we do this year after year, like our company tradeshows, we plan to keep adding more of our partners. It’s a great opportunity for them and for us.”
Gabriel Marcotte from Quebec City won the Driver of the Year of 2025, and Denis Allaire from Montreal won the Gold Cup for the tournament among the Regional Champions.
SAFETY DAWG
Chris Harris
Home Run Safety Why Trucking and Baseball Play by the Same Playbook
So, there I was, watching the Blue Jays make their World Series run, when it hit me like a fastball to the face... trucking safety and baseball have more in common than a hot dog and a highway rest stop!
You see that soccer mom texting while merging? You already know she’s going to cut you off. That’s not pessimism talking –that’s defensive driving at its finest.
The Blind Spot Blues
I know, I know. You’re probably thinking, “What the hell does America’s pastime have to do with keeping an 80,000-pound rig between the lines?” But stick with me here, because this analogy is about to knock it out of the park.
Play Defence Like Your Life Depends on It
In baseball, a good defensive team doesn’t just react – they anticipate. The shortstop knows that lefty is going to pull the ball to third. The outfielder shifts before the pitch even leaves the mound. Sound familiar?
Every professional driver worth their CDL does the exact same thing. You’re not just steering a truck down the highway – you’re playing defence against every knucklehead in a Honda who thinks they can squeeze into that gap that’s barely big enough for a motorcycle.
Here’s where it gets interesting... a center fielder must track a fly ball while keeping tabs on the runners, watching for walls, and avoiding collisions with teammates. One blind spot and WHAM! – somebody’s eating dirt.
Your truck? It’s got blind spots the size of Rhode Island. And just like that outfielder, you’ve got to develop eyes in the back of your head. Mirror checks every 5-8 seconds. Head on a swivel. Because that Prius hiding in your blind spot isn’t going to announce itself with a trumpet fanfare.
The “No Trucking the Catcher” Rule
Baseball had to create a rule to stop runners coming in from 3rd from plowing into catchers like freight trains. Why? Because 200 pounds of muscle hitting a stationary target usually ends badly for somebody. Now imagine 40 TONS hitting
a Honda Civic.
This is why we’ve got rules about following distance, lane changes and turn signals. It’s not about being polite – it’s about physics. When you’re driving something that weighs as much as a small building, every other vehicle on the road is basically a catcher without protective gear.
Wide Turns and Warning Tracks
Every baseball player knows you take the turn at second base wide to maintain momentum. Try to cut it too tight and your going to eat dirt or get tagged out. Truck drivers? Same principle, different stakes. That right turn at the intersection isn’t a suggestion – it’s geometry. You NEED that space. And just like a runner signals their intentions, you better have that turn signal flashing long before you start your move.
Following Distance: The Ultimate Team Play
In baseball, runners maintain spacing to avoid collisions and double plays. Bunch up too close and one bad bounce takes out the whole team. On the highway, following distance isn’t just a recommendation in the driver’s manual – it’s your insurance policy against becoming a statistic. That three-second rule? Make it six. Hell, make it ten if conditions are sketchy. Because unlike baseball, there is no “do-over” when things go wrong at 105 KMs.
Protective Gear Saves the Game
Catchers don’t step behind the plate without their gear. Period. One foul tip to the noggin and they’re seeing stars instead of strikes.
Professional drivers who skip the high-vis vest during loading? Who don’t wear their hard hat in the yard? They’re playing Russian Roulette with a fully loaded chamber.
The Bottom Line
Look, I’ve been around this industry long enough to know that safety talks can sound like a broken record. But here’s the thing... every time you climb into that cab, you’re not just driving a truck – you’re managing a complex defensive strategy against chaos, physics, and human stupidity.
Just like those Blue Jays players who made it to the World Series, the drivers who make it home every night are the ones who have mastered the fundamentals, anticipated the play, and never stopped playing defence.
Because in trucking, just like in baseball, the best defence isn’t just good strategy... it’s survival.
Intelligent safety alerts, event-driven recording and real-time insights help prevent collisions, protect drivers and cut fleet costs without invading privacy by recording only road-facing footage during specific key driving events.
Give GPS to Go Powered by Geotab a try, you won’t be disappointed.
We have been around for nearly 20 years; we are Canadian owned/ operated and we understand what customer service means!
In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.
