AMTA: 85 YEARS OF SUPPORTING COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTATION IN ALBERTA - AND BEYOND...

The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) is a not-for-profit safety, training, and advocacy association that supports the commercial transportation industry in the province. Since 1938, its work has encompassed a broad range of environmental, psychosocial, socioeconomic, safety, advocacy, and compliance matters that impact provincial highways. In 2023, AMTA is celebrating 85 years of serving its members and all Albertans.

The Association’s roots go deep, starting in 1938 when Jack Taylor – the owner of a Calgary print shop – helped organize and establish a small group to address common issues and challenges within the commercial transportation industry. At the time, diesel engines had only been in Canada for a few years, and The Duff Commission had (only six years prior) released a report recommending a general regulation of motor transportation in the country. Taylor would remain at the wheel of AMTA for 28 years. Membership grew dramatically, from five in 1938 to more than 1,300 in 1966 – when Taylor retired.

Early successes and growth In the ‘50s, AMTA rolled out key initiatives to ensure the association remained the strong voice of Alberta’s commercial transport industry. Trucking emerged as direct competition with the railway in the movement of goods – particularly in the livestock and logging industries. The association held a province-wide dump-truck strike, resulting in a significant rate increase from two to 15 cents per cubic mile. This established AMTA as a major force in representing and promoting trucking interests in Alberta. In the ‘70s, ATMA successfully lobbied the Alberta Government to increase weight limits to 20,000 pounds for single axle, 35,000 pounds for tandem, and 110,000 pounds gross combination weight. And, in the ‘90s, AMTA and Alberta Government co-established the Partners in Compliance (PIC) program to highlight carriers of excellence – a program going strong to this day. Today and tomorrow... AMTA continues to build on its rich heritage, enriching Alberta’s commercial transportation industry, while ensuring safety remains the driving force for everything the association does. Strong collaboration with members and partners is a key reason for AMTA’s suc- cesses over its eight-plus decades – including effective relationships with the Workers’ Compensation Board of Alberta (WCB), Alberta Government, Alberta Sheriffs, provincial trucking associations across Canada through the Canadian Trucking Alliance, and other stakeholders. Projects in modern research and innovation bring key parties together to lead and develop cuttingedge technologies – such as alternative fuel sources or virtual training – that significantly enhance safety within the industry while reducing negative human and environmental impacts. What will always drive AMTA, however, are its members, who keep Alberta’s economy moving; they are vital to the ongoing success and vitality of the province. To that end, AMTA offers a broad range of programs and services. From training and education to exceptional safety resources; from exclusive advocacy efforts and tailored legislative advice to member engagement and top industry events; and from providing workplace support services to promoting careers in the industry – AMTA keeps the industry relevant and connected.

The way forward... In 2022, AMTA's Board of Directors approved a new strategic plan for the association, with a vision to become the global leader for commercial transportation safety, innovation, and data - driving the growth of Alberta's economy by 2025.

To learn more about AMTA, visit amta.ca

Jack Taylor's dream started 85 years ago is what still drives AMTA today: to work with industry to facilitate the safe and efficient transport of people and goods, resulting in a strong, resilient supply chain that advances Alberta's economy for the benefit of all Albertans.