Electronic Logging Devices in Canada: What to know

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) enforcement comes into place in Canada in June 2021, and the Alberta Motor Transport Association is stressing the importance of fleets being prepared.

“Along with the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has been advocating ELDs be written into legislation for quite some time,” said AMTA Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Director Andrew Barnes. “This legislation will help the commercial transportation industry become even safer and will identify areas of improvement for drivers. We want fleets to know we are here for them, and it is important to be prepared for June.”

Electronic logging devices are tamper-resistant devices integrated into commercial vehicle engines. They are intended to ensure commercial drivers drive within their daily limit and accurately log their working hours. The devices track when and how long drivers have been at the wheel, and ensure they are complying with the Government of Canada’s Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations.

Transport Canada is requiring third party certification of devices. According to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), fleets who may currently be utilizing US approved ELDs will not necessarily be able to use those same devices under the incoming Canadian legislation.

“Requirements specified in the Canadian ELD standard are aligned with those in the US rule for interoperability on both sides of the border,” CCMTA states on their website. “However, the Canadian ELD standard includes additional requirements to comply with current HOS Regulations in Canada. Current ELDs will require a software update and certification by a third-party entity.”

In October 2020, then Federal Transport Minister Marc Garneau announced the first of the third-party certification bodies was accredited and ready to begin testing.

“All systems are a go for a new era of hours-of-service compliance beginning June 2021, which covers the Canadian trucking industry engaged in inter-provincial and international trade,” said CTA President Stephen Laskowski in an Oct. 26 news release.

“Knowing in October that certification bodies were ready to begin testing was important so we could relay that information to our Carriers and membership in order to help them continue their preparations before June,” said Barnes.

Seeing ELD legislation come into place in Canada has been years in the making. In early 2018, the CTA launched an e-letter campaign encouraging fleets to reach out to their respective provincial ministers to ensure a mandate was put in place.

“AMTA works closely with CTA on all matters affecting industry and it was no different with ELDs,” explained Barnes. “Our relationships with the CTA, government and stakeholders are integral to seeing progress on our top advocacy issues.”

In June 2019, Minister Garneau announced the ELD mandate to replace traditional paper logbooks.

“These new mandatory logging devices in commercial vehicles will improve safety for drivers and all Canadians,” the minister said in a June 13, 2019 release. “Collaboration with stakeholders and partners was key to putting these regulations in place. I thank my provincial and territorial colleagues in helping to develop this technical standard and look forward to them introducing this requirement for operators within their jurisdictions. We know that fatigue increases the risks of accidents and that is why we are taking action across all modes of transportation.”

Membership is welcome to direct any inquiries to cra@amta.ca.