For the past 20 years, Brian Patterson has been a steadfast advocate for road safety in Ontario. His dedication to reducing preventable deaths, injuries, and destruction on our roads through public education and safety awareness has made a significant impact. Brian’s strong advocacy with various governments and leaders has led to positive changes that benefit all Ontarians.
Many of us know Brian from his appearances on news, radio, and safety commercials. Who can forget Elmer the Safety Elephant, beloved by children? Today, the Ontario Safety League is recognized as one of North America’s leading traffic safety organizations, providing the general public with safety information and programs. The Ontario Safety League is a registered not-for-profit charity. Learn more about them at ontariosafetyleague.com
Last night, we had the honor of attending Brian’s retirement celebration. It was an amazing evening of sharing memories of a remarkable man and his many contributions to society. Brian, we will miss your strong voice. Over the years, his family so selflessly shared more of his time with his work and not them. Behind every successful man is an incredible woman. Lesley, thank you! Happy retirement, Brian, and good luck with that honey-do list.
The System in place currently has been broken for a long time, and solutions offered by Industry have yet to be acted upon.
(the below is an exert of a communication that was sent by the PMTC to the CCMTA, Transport Canada & The Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation)
Currently Commercial Motor Carriers who wish to operate a trucking fleet in Canada must apply for a Safety Fitness Certificate to the Provincial Authority in which they plan to licence their vehicles. If the Provincial Authority of the base jurisdiction approves the application, a National Safety Code (NSC) will be issued to the Carrier. The base jurisdiction is then responsible for monitoring the motor carrier for safety and compliance, based on National Safety Code 14, which is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) all jurisdictions agreed to several years back. https://www.ccmta.ca/en/national-safety-code
While in theory this process comes across as seamless and consistent, the reality of how carriers are monitored from one Canadian provincial jurisdiction to the other vary significantly. For instance, if you were to run a Safety Fitness Certificate from a carrier based in Ontario and then run one from a carrier in Alberta, it would be almost impossible to compare the safety rating of the two fleets and decipher which one is the safest of the two.
The substantial differences in how one jurisdiction scores a carriers’ provincial safety rating compared to another, also leads to chameleon carriers simply closing shop in one jurisdiction and opening in another, exploiting the lack of communication between jurisdictions and simply open again in a different location. In addition, there are many carriers in Canada, who exploit the lack of a central reporting system, and the lack of checks and balances in place between jurisdictions. They start several fleets, register each of them in different jurisdictions with different National Safety Code Numbers. When they face challenges in one jurisdiction, they simply continue to operate in the others by transferring vehicles over to the fleet in different jurisdictions so they can continue to operate across the country despite an undesirable safety profile.
The recent case with Chohan Freight Forwarders in British Columbia illustrates the current problem. The fleet had its operating authority suspended in British Columbia but had another federally regulated fleet operating out of Alberta. The absence of a coordinated and centralized system has basically allowed this fleet, deemed unsafe by one jurisdiction, to continue to operate across the country, including into the province that just suspended their operating authority. A fleet should only be allowed to have one National Safety Code Number. A central reporting system would alleviate this type of unsafe practice and ensure a proper tracking system across the country. https://www.trucknews.com/health-safety/b-c-asks-feds-to-reduce-safety-gaps-following-overpass-crashes/1003181013/
To further showcase how the lack of a centralized and uniformed regulated system may cause alarming road safety issues, a simple internet search by one of our insurance company members demonstrates the seriousness of the problem. Back in 2022, it was found that 34 Trucking Companies were listed as operating at the same address in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, while another 54 companies were found to be listed as operating at one address in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Most of the emails associated with these companies were the same, from a consultant in Brampton, Ontario. A quick check at the time showed no trucks were located in either of these locations, despite records showing 88 trucking companies being registered at these locations. This is just one example of “jurisdiction shopping” when trucking companies set up their business in a location to save on operating costs, insurance, oversight, or can easily “relocate” as a result of being shut down in another jurisdiction.
To rectify this issue, we need a national recognized MOU that is more descriptive than what is currently in place and has some teeth, to create a standardized Carrier Provincial Safety Rating. We must ensure that all the regions across the country monitor and audit carriers following the same consistent criteria with results easily accessible from a central reporting system/one stop shop. Hence, everyone will be able to see and compare a carriers’ safety rating score regardless of the region from which it has been completed and submitted. A seamless access to results about the carrier’s compliance/non-compliance must be easily accessible to all, including the shippers who could then verify the safety of the fleet they are hiring.
To achieve this goal, coordinated and harmonized jurisdictional regulations are needed. The current inconsistencies in regulations and enforcement from one jurisdiction to another reduces efficiency and increase burdens and cost to the industry. Sadly, it also leads to some carriers who do not have safety and compliance at the top of their priorities to go jurisdiction shopping to find the one with the least stringent regulations to register their fleet in.
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada has been raising this issue at meetings with governments since 2015, and the most recent case in British Columbia highlights the seriousness of this issue. It needs to be addressed promptly by regulators, & the PMTC is ready and willing to work together with regulators on this process.
We are looking to Add another AZ Trainer to the Smiths Falls Team!
A bit about us: Being in business for over 20 years, Crossroads Truck and Career Academy is the most recognized AZ / DZ truck training facility in the Ottawa, Smiths Falls region. We are known for producing the best entry level drivers in the industry and are currently seeking professional driver trainers, who would like to pass on their years of knowledge to others.
Position: You will use your expertise and knowledge, while following our training program, to prepare our students with the skills and knowledge to successfully challenge the MTO road test.
Requirements: • 10 years current AZ driving experience, less will be considered dependent on annual mileage, however no less than 5 years will be eligible.
• Acceptable driving record and CVOR. Work well in a team environment. Superior communication skills, (bilingual an asset) Location: Smiths Falls campus, however at times travel may be required to our Ottawa campus.
If you are looking for a truly rewarding career, please forward your resume or contact our Assistant Director of Operations: Rock Chenier at 613-742-7499 extension 204 or Director of Operations: Ken Adams at 613-742-7499 extension 205.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. All employment is decided based on qualifications and merit.
The Highway Traffic Act authorizes the province and municipalities to restrict truck weights during spring thaw to protect roads and highways:
Spring weight restrictions may be applied to schedule 1 King’s Highways at any time during March and April, to schedule 2 King’s Highways during March through May, and to schedule 3 King’s Highways during March through June depending on local conditions and weather. A list of highways that may be affected is included in this [MTO memo]. Up-to-date information about actual weight restrictions can be viewed at: https://511on.ca/list/seasonalloads and drivers /carriers who use the listed highways are encouraged to carefully monitor this website. The 511 interactive map also provides up-to-date visual information – choose map menu item “Truck and Bus info”, then check “Seasonal Loads”.
Municipalities may also pass by-laws and set dates when spring weight restrictions apply to specified roads under their jurisdiction. Watch for on-road signage.
During Reduced Load Periods, weights are generally limited to 5,000 kg per axle, although certain exemptions apply as set out in Highway Traffic Act, Section 122: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h08#BK217
Unless otherwise specified on the permit, ‘annual’ and ‘project’ overweight permits are not valid during March and April in southern Ontario, and during March, April and May in northern Ontario.
The Ministry of Transportation is committed to creating an environment for economic success for commercial vehicle clients through program efficiency, burden reduction, and engaging industry on opportunities to improve how our programs serve Ontario’s commercial vehicle industry.
As a result, the Ministry of Transportation has developed a new product for commercial vehicle clients called the “Online Carrier Record”. This new portal provides clients with instant access to all of their CVOR safety records in real time. Users will be able to filter and sort using a variety of functions and view these records online or download into a PDF or Excel file to help manage their safety performance.
You will have full access to the service and all your CVOR safety records.Access will be granted based on the email provided on the CVOR record.The service will be available for use 24/7.There will be no fee associated with this service.
Please note that in order to access this service, your email address must be listed on the CVOR file. If you need to update the record or have any questions or comments regarding the service, please contact Client Services by email CVOR@ontario.ca or by phone 1-800-387-7736.
