CBSA Offers Additional Guidance on Safe Border Interactions
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has taken a number of steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in their commercial operations and is actively exploring a number of initiatives to limit physical interactions
At CTA’s request, CBSA has issued enhanced guidance on Primary Inspection Line (PIL) booth interaction for truck drivers from a health and safety perspective, as well as information on limiting physical interactions at the border.
Information on safety measures the CBSA has taken, initiatives that are being developed and information for carriers and drivers are provided in Annex A (attached) in both French and English:Annex A – COVID Update_public & Annex A (FR) – Mise-a-jour COVID_public
In addition, CTA released a sequel to its March 2020 COVID-19 tip sheet, resource document for carriers. Included in the updated version of the document is new information on the designation of essentials services, copies of essential services documentation letters for employees, along with tips and best practices for the workplace.
CTA will continue to update the document as more information becomes available. You can access the document here: CTA-ResourceDoc-TruckingIndustryV2_public
CBSA: Truck Crossings Fall 33%
Transport Canada’s Essential Freight Transport Exemption Expires April 30
Originally established on March 24 to align with efforts in the US, the Exemption offered optional flexibility in the hours of service scheduling provisions for fleets engaged in extra-provincial trucking operations who may be transporting a specific list of essential supplies and equipment in direct assistance to the emergency relief efforts during the response to COVID-19.
After careful consideration of a number of factors by Transport Canada in consultation with the provinces and territories, combined with an underutilization of the exemption and an abundance of excess capacity the exemption will expire 11:59 pm (EST) April 30, 2020. Details of the Essential Freight Transport Exemption can be found here (EN) (FR).
B.C. Allowing Food Trucks at Provincial Locations
Food trucks are being set up at provincially owned locations throughout B.C. to support commercial truck drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government of B.C. is forgoing the usual restrictions and fees for food-truck operators who want to set up on key stops for commercial truck drivers, in locations where it is safe to do so, at the currently reduced traffic volumes. Vendors are operating at rest areas, weigh scales and other commercial truck pullouts throughout the Lower Mainland and southern Interior, with more expected to be added in the coming weeks.
Current locations on provincial property with permitted food trucks, providing commercial truck drivers with more food options during their travels:
- Nordel CVSE Inspection Station in Delta
- Zopkios Brake Check on Highway 5, approximately 57 kilometres north of Hope
- Britton Creek Rest Area on Highway 5, approximately 62 kilometres south of Merritt
- Kamloops Weigh Scale in City of Kamloops – food served free of cost once per week by the Salvation Army
Food truck operating times will vary at these locations. In a separate initiative, members of the BC Trucking Association have spearheaded the Meals for Truck Drivers BC pilot, setting up food trucks at various commercial cardlocks throughout the province. Restaurants have also reopened many locations along Canadian highways for take out and restroom use for commercial drivers.
Commercial truck drivers play an important role in maintaining the supply chain by delivering essential goods during the COVID-19 pandemic. The drivers ensure people around the province continue to have access to the items they need, including food and medicine. For these reasons, the ministry is working in collaboration with private food truck operators in order to help provide more options for truck drivers on their routes.
Along with allowing food trucks, the Province has recently completed the installation of more than 25 portable toilets at commercial pullouts and inspection stations in the province to improve travel for commercial truck drivers.
The ministry is following the advice and orders of the provincial health officer and the federal government to keep British Columbians as safe as possible and help stop the spread of COVID-19. While highways and roads remain open, the provincial health officer recommends people stay close to home and avoid any non-essential travel.
Learn More:
For a constantly updated map of locations and times for these food trucks, visit the Meals for Truckers page: https://mealsfortruckers.ca/
Food truck operators interested in applying for a permit can go to: http://ow.ly/ME1d50zo3uF
For travel restrictions and precautions due to COVID-19, visit: http://ow.ly/jBGu50yVMRO
For the latest medical updates, including case counts, prevention, risks and testing, visit: http://www.bccdc.ca/
Or follow @CDCofBC on Twitter.
For non-health related information, including financial, child care and education supports, travel, transportation and essential service information, visit: www.gov.bc.ca/Covid-19
Or call 1 888 COVID19 (1 888 268-4319) between 7:30 a.m. and 8 p.m. (Pacific time), seven days a week.
For a French translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.04.28_IB_Trucker_Food_Trucks-French.pdf
For a Punjabi translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.04.28_IB_Trucker_Food_Trucks-Punjabi.pdf
For a Chinese translation: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/2020.04.28_IB_Trucker_Food_Trucks-TC.pdf
Windsor Transportation Club Program to Support Health Workers Begins
The Windsor Transportation Club has begun delivering free meals to Windsor-Essex region’s healthcare workers. This week, 320 meals were delivered to the staff of Windsor Regional Hospital at three locations, it said Tuesday.
The club launched the Feed the Frontline initiative in partnership with local restaurants and other food service providers.
“We have confirmed, or are in the process of confirming orders for nearly 1,500 meals to be delivered over the coming weeks,” the club said.
The next round of deliveries, scheduled for next week, will go to the staff of Windsor Regional Hospital.
The program is aimed at highlighting how frontline workers are helping other frontline workers battling the effects of Covid-19, the club said.
MTA & Manitoba
From MTA: The Government of Manitoba announced yesterday the new Trucking and Transportation Provisions Order. This order is extending the expiry dates on certain permits, certificates or registrations until July 31. This includes qualifying vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP), the vehicle registration system for trucks and buses operating inter-jurisdictionally between Manitoba and other provinces or states throughout North America. Deadlines to pay IRP registration renewal charges are also extended. The order also extends the period between required inspections on vehicles such as buses and commercial carriers, extends annual overweight or over-dimensional vehicle permits, and extends safety fitness certificates for commercial carriers. The order will also provide a temporary exemption from the need for single-trip permits for increased vehicle weights and for commercial vehicles from other jurisdictions.
Members with questions are encouraged to call the MTA before renewing or paying. If members are told they aren’t eligible or their requests don’t qualify, please contact the MTA.
The regular three-month deadline for new residents and non-residents to replace their out-of-province driving permits with a Manitoba driver’s licence, vehicle registration or insurance is also extended to July 31 (or three months after they enter the province, whichever time period is longer).
2 – The Government of Manitoba also announced the International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) Credential Provisions Order, which suspends the requirement that a carrier licensed under the agreement must have and display credentials. As well, the province will not fine licensed carriers if their licensing authority was unable to distribute their credentials.
The province previously provided relief to carriers who do not have an IFTA licence in The Fuel Tax Amendment and Retail Sales Tax Amendment Act. The requirement to obtain a single-trip permit for each truck entering Manitoba was suspended for the duration of the state of emergency.
3 – MTA members are advised to contact their insurance brokers to determine if they are eligible for cost relief on their MPI Special Risk Extension insurance policies. This option is not a one-size-fits-all rebate program or deferral; it is based on request and need of each carrier. More on this item can be found on the first page of theMTA April newsletter.
4 – The Government of Manitoba released today Restoring Safe Services: Manitoba’s pandemic and economic roadmap for recovery. Of note, we encourage members to review page 11, Keeping Employees Safe, and (starting on) page 21, Restoring Services (Phase One), which go into effect on May 4.
