AMTA celebrated 85 years of advocacy and safety in Alberta’s commercial transportation industry at its Annual Leadership Conference, AGM, and Awards Gala, April 18-20 at the Delta Edmonton South.

Since 1938, AMTA – through collaboration with government, business partners, members, and other stakeholders – has advanced the industry through dynamic safety training and programs, advocacy, research and innovation, progressive policies, and strategic partnerships.

In 2023, AMTA will reach a significant milestone in its history, celebrating 85 years of promoting, preserving, and advancing the safety and well-being of the commercial transportation industry and all Albertans.

Trucking HR Canada released a new labour market information report today, analyzing newly released vacancy data.

The latest released data shows:

AMTA April 2023 Driver of the Month: Manuel Ross

East West Express driver Emile De Petigny hangs up the wheel after 50-year career

Growing up on a Saskatchewan farm, Emile De Petigny’s first experience driving truck was helping his dad in the field, picking up bales with a five-tonne truck.

Meet Kurt Baylock. He’s an energetic, loyal individual who would bring years of in-depth knowledge of safe practices and safety guidelines to his next job. With an ability to form positive relationships with clients and coworkers, Kurt is excited for his next professional chapter where he is seeking a full-time driving position. New to the trucking industry, Kurt’s business knowledge gives him an inside understanding of what it takes to make a business successful.

Today, Trucking HR Canada (THRC) announces a new project, funded by the Government of Alberta, that will support Alberta employers with recruitment and retention efforts. THRC has partnered with the Alberta Motor Transport Association to deliver project activities.

AMTA would like to introduce the Student Work Placement (SWP) subsidy to Alberta-based employers. This subsidy is targeted at both traditional trucking companies and those in other industries that have a trucking component to their operations. For example companies in the construction, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries employee commercial trucks.

BFL CANADA Risk and Insurance Services Inc. has signed on as the Alberta Motor Transport Association’s (AMTA) 2023 Driver of the Month sponsor.

Long time members of the Association, BFL CANADA Risk and Insurance Services Inc. made the decision to show its appreciation to the safest drivers on the road recognizing that ‘Safe Drivers Make Safe Fleets’.

On April 1, 2023, the federal minimum wage will increase to $16.65 from $15.55 per hour in 2022, an increase of a $1.10 or 7.1%.[1]

Trucking HR Canada’s preliminary research findings released today reveal the trucking and logistics sector has more work to do when it comes to attracting more women to the workplace.

The first phase of a three-part research initiative took place February 17-25, 2023, with 1500 interviews. The research was conducted by Abacus Data for Trucking HR Canada, and today at its 9th annual Women with Drive Leadership Summit, David Coletto shared the following initial findings with attendees:

Meet Dan D’Haene. Dan is a knowledgeable equipment operator with over 20 years of experience in the construction and manufacturing fields. He is proficient in operating heavy trucks and overhead cranes. Dan also has a solid understanding of automotive component inspection. He is eager to bring his hard-working personality and dedication to his new role where he can showcase his experience and industry knowledge.

AMTA March 2023 Driver of the Month: Matthew Ferguson, Ledcor Group

Meet Lynn Bates. Lynn has a great attitude and over 35 years of trucking and transportation experience. He also has extensive knowledge of the industry and the highway network across Canada, Alaska and the Territories. Lynn has become a teacher and mentor, assisting with training drivers and providing sage advice to individuals interested in starting up their own business. With Lynn’s mix of experience, skills and eagerness to return to work he would be an invaluable asset to any organization.

Transport Minister Omar Alghabra officially announced the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide $46 million to the trucking industry to address the nation’s growing truck driver shortage.

Today’s announcement follows a joint statement last January between the Government of Canada and the Canadian Trucking Alliance in recognizing the driver shortage challenge and its impact on the Canadian supply chain.

Note: On Feb. 28, it was announced these changes will be now come into effect September, 2023.

Please be advised that key changes to the Traffic Safety Act will take effect on March 1, 2023. Important amendments have been made to the rules that govern the passing of stopped emergency vehicles on a highway.

The updated legislation extends safe passing protections for roadside workers to include snowplows and highway maintenance vehicles, in addition to emergency vehicles and tow trucks.

The 2023 Annual General Meeting (“AGM”) of the Alberta Motor Transport Association (“Association” and “AMTA”) will take place in-person as follows:

Submitted by: Don MacDonald, CCA Truck Driver Training Ltd.

We have all seen them out there on the roads. The slow moving vehicle with the dreaded “Student Driver” signs on them. It seems, for most people, the natural response to this sighting is to step hard on the fuel pedal and get out around those vehicles. People tend to feel driver training vehicles are a nuisance on the road. Sometimes, I don’t necessarily disagree with that theory. I will agree, it is somewhat annoying when a traffic light turns green and the driver in front of you is still trying to decide if it is safe or not to go.

This year the Alberta Motor Transport Association celebrates its 85th anniversary — this is certainly a major accomplishment that deserves some major attention!

As part of the AMTA’s 85th anniversary celebrations, the Summer 2023 issue of Western Canada Highway News (the official magazine of the Alberta, BC, Saskatchewan and Manitoba trucking associations) will include a commemorative supplement in recognition of this achievement, and we are inviting you this opportunity to place an ad and help celebrate the association’s milestone accomplishment.

The AMTA Annual Leadership Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) is Alberta’s premier gathering of those who challenge, disrupt, drive, and shape – as well as supply and support – the commercial transportation industry in Alberta.