More than ever people are realizing the importance of what commercial drivers do for us all, and as an association, the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) will continue to add our voice to the chorus to say “thank you”.

The Alberta Medical Association has called for mandatory vaccines for health care workers, adding to a list of associations and groups making mandatory vaccines a priority.

OTTAWA, ON, June 3, 2021 /CNW/ – The Government of Canada is building a clean energy future to strengthen the economy, create good, middle-class jobs and support workers in the natural resource sectors. This is more important than ever as we recover from COVID-19.

Location: The Conrad, MT Rest Area/Weigh Scale located on the I-15 northbound. Easily accessed from southbound via overpass. Vehicles going in either direction can access it well. Google maps: 48.1816925200338, -111.93112466051848

Canada’s commercial trucking industry is shifting into a future that is being driven by safety, efficiency, and artificial intelligence. A test project funded by the Government of Canada will soon see a series of semi-trucks kitted with AI technology plying their trade on Alberta’s Queen Elizabeth Highway II – the major transportation corridor between Edmonton and Calgary.

Phase four of construction has commenced at Kicking Horse Canyon, located just east of Golden, BC on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The corridor sees more than 10,000 vehicles daily in the summer months, and in a year averages as much as 30 per cent commercial traffic.

Over the next three years, the Alberta Government is reviewing the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code. The Province says the review is an opportunity to improve health and safety outcomes for workers and streamline requirements to reduce unnecessary administrative burden.

Starting April 1, the federal carbon price on diesel will increase $0.1073 per litre.

In a release from the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), the alliance estimates the commercial transportation industry will pay $538 million in carbon pricing in 2021. By 2030, CTA estimates $3 billion in carbon pricing by 2030.

Proposed amendments to the Association’s Bylaws will be presented to Members and included on the meeting agenda for approval. The proposed amendments pertain to the Association’s mission, vision, core values, goals and purpose. The document is located here.

The Alberta Government has released the budget for 2021.

The AMTA recognizes the Alberta Government’s ongoing investment in transportation infrastructure and what that means to how essential commercial transportation is to the underpinnings of our economy.

Highlights from the budget affecting the transportation sector include:

Alberta Government release: Under the new Enhanced COVID-19 Business Benefit, up to $30,000 in support will soon be available to small and medium-sized businesses that have been most affected by the pandemic and ongoing health restrictions.

ELD Update  

Transport Canada announced on Oct. 26, 2020 Electronic Logging Device (ELD) certification body FPInnovations has been accredited as the first third-party organization to certify electronic logging devices in Canada. The purpose of the certification body is to ensure electronic logging devices submitted for testing are safe, reliable, and approved for use in Canada.  

Submitted by Calgary Police Service

The following outlines the new procedure for commercial drivers and the consequences of becoming subject to immediate roadside sanctions if stopped by law enforcement and mandatory alcohol screening, or a Roadside screening test shows evidence of alcohol consumption.

Submitted by CN Police

CN has a vast network of 14,000 public grade crossings and over 45,000 km of track across Canada. As a professional driver there is a good chance you will have to cross a set of these tracks to get to your destination.

Release: Westcan Bulk Transport’s team of professional truck drivers has donated $100,000 to local charities through their Driver Advisory Board.

Alberta’s government is taking action to increase the safety of snowplow and tow truck drivers.

The recently named Sheriff Highway Patrol (SHP) continues to work hard to remove unsafe commercial vehicles and drivers off our provincial highways. COVID may have changed how we do business but it hasn’t stopped us from meeting our mandate. In 2020, SHP has already completed over 27,000 CVSA Roadside Inspections and removed over 10,000 commercial vehicles from the highway.

Government of Alberta release: Tsuut’ina Trail, the southwest portion of Calgary’s Ring Road, is now open between Sarcee Trail and Fish Creek Boulevard.

In a release from the Alberta Government, the provinces deficit is forecasted at $24.2 billion, $16.8 billion higher than the Budget 2020 estimate due to the economic impacts stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price crash.

Calgary, AB (August 11, 2020) – For over 80 years, the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) has been the voice, the standard and the resource for the commercial transportation industry in Alberta. So too has the Saskatchewan Trucking Association who has be dedicated to the betterment of the industry through education, connection and support for members.