Emergency Preparedness Week takes place the first full week of May and helps Canadians take the steps to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.

On April 30, the Government of Alberta announced, via press conference, a phased relaunch, which “will put Albertans’ safety first” with gradual re-opening of closed businesses and services in the province.

CTA Release: While public support and appreciation for truck drivers during the COVID-19 crisis remains unprecedently high, a recent survey by the Canadian Trucking Alliance shows that federal aid is now required to provide much needed relief to trucking companies whose operations have been severely strained by the impact of the pandemic.

CTA News Release: The Canadian Trucking Alliance was informed today by the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) that the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is directing the agency, effective immediately, to implement a policy requiring all essential workers crossing the border to wear a non-medical mask or face covering and to provide drivers with a mask should they not have one.

Effective April 9, 2020, the Government of Alberta is extending the expiry dates of select vehicle inspection certificates until May 15, 2020, if the certificate expires between March 17 and May 15, 2020.

April 11 Update: UPDATE: BC has updated the self isolation plan requirements which now exempts certain occupations, including truck drivers, upon entry to BC from having to create a self-isolation plan.

Alberta is temporarily modifying some regulations for truck drivers and railway operators to protect the supply chain and ensure Canadians can access necessities like medical supplies, groceries and fuel during the COVID-19 crisis.

In response to the COVID-19 recession, the Alberta government will allocate almost $2 billion from the 2020 Capital Plan to resurface roads, repair bridges, restore schools and fill potholes, all to get thousands of Albertans back to work.

The Industry Task Force has released a brief member survey on the WCB premium relief program announced by government a few weeks ago. There were suggestions from some members that the $10m cap on insurable earnings should be increased because this places an unreasonable restriction on program eligibility and that the program should be expanded to include public sector employers. There are also unanswered questions regarding participation of not-for-profit employers.

CTA Release: All levels of government and the private sector need clear guidance when it comes to determining the services and functions that are essential in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Via the Alberta Transportation IRP: As you continue to run your fleet, if you have not already done so, please submit your renewal online here as usual to ensure processing.

“Today I want to issue a call to action in support of a particular group of those unsung heroes, Alberta’s truck drivers.”

In a release from the Alberta Government March 11, the Province said $5.7 billion over the next three years will be invested in maintaining and repairing highways and supporting water management and flood recovery projects, stemming from Budget 2020.

In a recent release from the Alberta Government, the Province will spend more than $50 million over the next four years to add passing lanes, building a new rest area and improve intersections and turnouts on Highway 881 between Lac La Biche and Anzac.

The AMTA has been informed, that with Transport Canada (TC) releasing further clarifications regarding electronic logging devices and their certification process once ELDs become mandated June 2021.

Good News for Industry – Alberta Transportation announced that effective January 3, 2020, carrier profiles requested online through the Web-Enabled Carrier Profile (WECP) service will be free of charge.

Are you federally regulated?

If so, you will want to update yourself on the new acquired and proposed Canada Labour Code (the Code) changes. As the workforce diversifies and employee rights are becoming more modernized, it is imperative that employers know their responsibilities. This includes: hours of work, leaves, vacation, termination and other proposed changes.

WCB is holding a number of stakeholder consultations regarding new enhancements to the workers’ compensation system that will come into effect throughout 2018. To learn more, click here.

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations have announced the summer hour schedules for Wild Horse, Montana and Chief Mountain, Montana.

CTA: The Canadian Trucking Alliance is pleased the federal government is adopting the Alliance’s recommendation that Ottawa strengthens how it manages vehicle recalls.