Monthly Archives: May 2018

2016 Existence Is Not A Scripted Drama

May 15, 2018Podcastcar, drama, flying, flying cars, self driving, Technology, technophileTomWiles

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:15:31 — 69.2MB)

2016 Existence Is Not A Scripted Drama

Morneau Group takes ‘proactive’ stance in Covid-19 fight
MONTREAL, Que. – The World Health Organization didn’t declare a pandemic until March 11, but Quebec-based Group Morneau was already preparing for Covid-19. Fleet vice-president of human resources Sylvain Gagnon had been watching the evolution of the virus, and began to lead a related contingency plan with a Covid-19 committee on March 9. “We were […]
U.S. senators pushing for delay to trade agreement
WASHINGTON, D.C. – A group of U.S. senators is pushing for a postponement of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA), slated to take effect June 1. “USMCA should not enter into force prematurely – particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic – and thereby deny American farmers, workers, and businesses its intended benefits. We ask you […]
Minister blasts businesses over washroom access
TORONTO, Ont. – Ontario’s labor minister has sharply criticized businesses that deny bathroom access to truckers, calling it a disgrace. Truck drivers are at the forefront of delivering food and medical supplies as the country fights the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have thousands of truck drivers, delivering medical supplies or groceries, things that people in the […]
How to protect dispatchers, ops teams during Covid-19
BELLEVILLE, Ont. — Jim Sagriff’s coworkers are keeping their distance these days. To be more precise, they’re maintaining a buffer of at least six feet. It’s just one in a series of measures that his fleet has introduced in the fight against Covid-19. “We are changing some hours so that we are not all here […]
Saskatchewan employs HoS exemption for Covid-19 relief
REGINA, Sask. – Saskatchewan is the latest province to implement an hours-of-service (HoS) exemption to truck drivers transporting Covid-19 essential items. Announced today, the provincial government said the modification to its HoS regulations for commercial truck drivers applies to those transporting goods and supplies to the meet immediate needs related to Covid-19. The items that […]
Second Harvest keeps donated food on the move
TORONTO, Ont. – Ian MacLeod has just unloaded two tractor-trailers laden with produce, and none of it is destined for a grocery store. But it will all fill a vital need in the fight against Covid-19. Toronto-based Second Harvest – an emergency service that distributes meat, dairy and produce to charitable organizations – has recently […]
Connecting carriers in need with those struggling during Covid-19 relief effort
EDMONTON, Alta. – Though some carriers are racking up the miles during the Covid-19 crisis to meet increased demand, others are struggling. The Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) recognizes that those in the construction, oilfield, crane, and other sectors are slowing during this unprecedented time, and have drivers and equipment they may not be using […]
Injured Humboldt Bronco files lawsuit
CALGARY, Alta. – Another lawsuit has arisen from the 2018 Humboldt tragedy, with a former Broncos player seeking $13.5 million after being paralyzed as a result of the crash. Ryan Alexander Straschnitzki is suing those he believes were responsible for the collision, which he claims includes the team bus driver, Glen Doerksen, who died in […]
Peterbilt graduates 75th PTI class
DENTON, Texas – Peterbilt has announced it has graduated its 75th class of Peterbilt Technician Institutes (PTI) students. The class included 11 newly-certified diesel technicians, who completed a 12-week training program led by Peterbilt instructors. “The Peterbilt dealer network has a growing demand for entry-level, qualified, diesel technicians and PTI is a unique answer to […]
Ontario’s provincially-regulated carriers may qualify for HoS exemptions
TORONTO, Ont. – With the declaration of a state of emergency in Ontario, some provincially-regulated trucking companies will now be able to take advantage of hours-of-service exemptions when carrying essential supplies in the fight against Covid-19. The option for hours of service exemptions are designed to potentially assist provincially regulated motor carriers and their drivers […]
DTNA expanding service bay network
PORTLAND, Ore. – Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) has announced it is building or remodeling more than 40 locations in the U.S. and Canada, adding 700 or more service bays this year “This expansion represents an investment by DTNA’s dealer partners towards a mutual commitment to a 24-hour or less repair turnaround,” said Kevin Bangston, […]
Trucking layoffs are already underway
TORONTO, Ont. — While some trucking segments are enjoying a surge in demand, others are struggling because of Covid-19 closures. Drivers working in dedicated transportation segments such as auto haulers, or those working in the resource sector, are among those affected. Cambridge, Ont.-based Challenger Motor Freight, for example, has temporarily laid off 40 drivers. “Some […]
Quebec fleets hope for Covid-19 registration reprieve
MONTREAL, Que. – With just days to go before its truck registrations need to be renewed, Quebec has yet to follow the lead of other provinces that have eased or deferred payments. The registration fees are due April 1, a fixed date that is established by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). The […]
B.C. passes legislation to coordinate provincial supply chain, but only if needed
VICTORIA, B.C. – The B.C. government is using what it calls “extraordinary powers” under its Emergency Program Act, issuing a series of ministerial orders to ensure a coordinated response to the Covid-19 crisis. The move addresses several actions the government can take during this provincial emergency, including establishing a Provincial Supply Chain Coordination Unit to […]
TDG training, containment inspection requirements, temporarily eased
OTTAWA, Ont. – Transport Canada has eased requirements that apply to Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) re-training dates and containment inspections, in the wake of challenges that have emerged during the fight against Covid-19. “Many registered Means of Containment Facilities have temporarily closed or are limiting travel for their employees who perform mobile inspections,” Benoit […]
Waste haulers introduce new safety protocols amid Covid-19
HAMILTON, Ont. – Waste collection remains an essential service in the days of Covid-19, but those who run garbage trucks in this city west of Toronto walked off the job on March 23 because of concerns relating to the virus. The job action by members of CUPE Local 5167 had come to an end within […]
Covid-19 Operations: Checker Flag Leasing
You rely on us to support your business with our products and services. Our team is fully committed to helping you continue to run your operations and our team is focused on navigating the ever-changing environment. We have been identified as an essential service business in all Provincial jurisdictions in which we operate. All of […]
Covid-19 presents new challenges for car hauler
SASKATOON, Sask. — Trevor Yuise has been behind the wheel professionally for over 30 years, the last six of which have been as a car hauler for Jack Cooper Transport out of Saskatoon. But in the days of Covid-19, he is running into a unique problem when he completes deliveries to automotive dealerships. “They don’t […]
Nova Scotia latest to adopt HoS exemption for Covid-19 relief
HALIFAX, N.S. – The Province of Nova Scotia is the latest to adopt an hours-of-service (HoS) exemption for those hauling specific Covid-19 relief items. The exemption is subject to various conditions. Prior to operating under the HoS exemption, the provincial HoS director of the base jurisdiction must be notified in writing. While under the exemption, […]
Rest area searches intensify in days of Covid-19
PICKERING, Ont. – Shandex Truck driver Dave Legge always heads out the door with a five-day supply of food in the sleeper. There are the frozen meals prepared at home. The coffee and tea. The case of Mr. Noodles. “I’m ‘self-isolated’ in the truck. Always have been,” he says, using a phrase that’s become commonplace […]

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