Trucking Gives Back to Healthcare Workers
After seeing overwhelming support for the trucking industry during the COVID-19 crisis, Windsor area transportation companies want to give back to the healthcare workers saving lives.
The Windsor Transportation Club – with support from Onfreight Logistics and the Ontario Trucking Association – proudly announced a new initiative to feed Windsor-Essex’s hardworking healthcare workers.
The Club and its supporters have developed a GoFund Me page to raise money to purchase food from local participating restaurants to feed the community’s healthcare workers putting their lives on the line to treat COVID-19.
One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the cause.
“This builds on the successful campaign to #ThankaTrucker and demonstrates how we all need to work together in times of crisis,” says Jason Primeau, President of the Windsor Transportation Club.
“The transportation industry is facing extreme challenges. Supply chain disruptions and nationwide emergency delivery needs are causing fleet managers, dispatchers, warehouse workers and drivers to work longer hours and all are struggling to protect their health while being deemed essential. It takes a Hero to recognize a Hero. The mission of this initiative is to highlight how frontline workers are helping other front line workers by supporting healthcare workers who are at the frontline battling the effects of COVID-19. This initiative also supports local restaurants that have suffered greatly from the emergency announcements banning dine-in options,” the page states.
“Truck drivers know as well as anyone what’s like to be an essential worker that Canadians are desperately depending on,” says Steve Ondejko, president of Onfreight. “So, I would ask that the trucking industry in turn help those who are battling the enemy on the front lines by supplying them with food from our local restaurants as they work to give them the strength and energy to carry on. Knowing you care and support this initiative will also give them strength.”
Click here to support.
Also Check out #thankatrucker on social media for some heartwarming stories of encouragement for those on the frontlines delivering our goods!
Meals for Truckers in BC
Munden Ventures in BC launched a Facebook page helping local food providers connect with truckers needing to be fed!
Swiss Chalet Latest to Steps Up for the Trucking Industry
The team at Swiss Chalet has reached out the Atlantic Provinces Association and the Canadian Trucking Alliance to spread the word that they are offering a Truck Driver Meal Deal. All Swiss Chalet locations across Canada are open for truck drivers for walk-in-take-out and order ahead pick-up, with access to restrooms.
Swiss Chalet also sent this message to Canadian truck drivers: “Thank you for all you are doing top help keep our country going.”
The Canadian Trucking Alliance thanks Swiss Chalet and all restaurants that are stepping up to serve the hard-working men and women in the trucking industry as they move our economy during the COVID-19 crisis.
Canadian Truck Driver Appreciation Offer
Wheat Growers Support Our Truckers
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers issued the following statement:
“We would like to acknowledge and thank our long and short-haul truckers for the vitally important work that they are doing under the current difficult circumstances. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 regulations in place, many facilities are denying drivers access to bathroom facilities.
“All Canadians are relying on these modern-day heroes to move the food and products that we need in our hospitals, grocery stores and fuel stations,” said Stephen Vandervalk, AB Director.
During these challenging times, it is imperative that these men and women get all the credit and support that they deserve. They are hauling the seed, fertilizer, machine parts for grain farmers and a multitude of other products that Canadian consumers rely on for daily life.
“My hat’s off to the long hours that these drivers put in every day and ask that the loading facilities support them accordingly,” closed Daryl Fransoo, SK Director.
Irving Oil Offers Free Breakfast to Truckers
Irving Oil has developed a driver promotion as our way of thanking the Professional Drivers during the Covid19 crisis. Please find linked below FREE Grab N Go breakfast which starts today at our locations offering food. Irving 24 customers will also receive the email through their account managers.
IOL_COVID 19 – APTA memo – April_public
City of Laredo Now Requiring Face Masks for Truckers
As of April 2, 2020, the City of Laredo will be requiring all people to wear face coverings in public – or risk a misdemeanour charge or fine of up to $1,000. In an ordinance issued by city officials, all persons over the age of 5 inside the city must wear some form of covering over their nose and mouth, such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief when performing many activities.
For truck drivers passing through Laredo, this would mean face coverings would be required when fueling at a truck stop, entering a shipper or receiver, or entering a grocery store.
The face mask requirement will be in place until April 30, 2020.
You can click here to view the emergency guidelines.
Federal Forum Recognizes Work CTA/Government are Doing to Ease Regulations
The National Cross Sector Forum (NCSF) for Critical Infrastructure (CI) organized by Public Safety Canada, has recognized the work CTA has done in partnership with government officials to communicate issues to supply chain and ease certain regulations, during their weekly meetings with stakeholders about COVID-19.
During these calls, the NCSF discusses key Government of Canada updates and recurring supply chain themes which are occurring across a number of different sectors. Under supply chain issues, the NCSF stated that the transportation of goods, essential supplies and equipment across the border by truck is operating smoothly. They also indicated that government continues to work with industry to ease certain regulations to facilitate cross-border transportation, citing CTA’s recent article on supply chain flexibility, and the work being done with industry to implement practical solutions.
CTA looks forward to continuing to work with the Government of Canada to address issues in the supply chain and critical infrastructure as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
MEDIA
Challenger’s Dan Einwechter, like many others in the industry, has been doing plenty of media over the last two weeks. Here’s audio of him on CBC and CFRB in Toronto:
Manitoba Trucking Association Updates:
- Motor Carrier Division would like to remind members that, even in the uncertain climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, LCV permit holders must perform due diligence when there is a weather event such as is currently taking place in Manitoba.
- The Province Manitoba announced today that it was instructing Manitoba Public Insurance “to relax ordinary practices on policy renewals and collections.” MTA has been advocating for specific changes to MPI policies for the past several weeks in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, to provide relief for MTA members and the need to maintain supply chains. We will continue to advocate for changes and advise members as more information becomes available.
- On April 2nd, the Province of Manitoba also announced that beginning on Tuesday, April 14, all parents who work in critical services, as defined by the chief provincial public health officer, will be able to access child-care spaces available in licensed facilities. Parents working in these sectors who have been unable to make other child-care arrangements will be able to check which facilities have available spaces at www.manitoba.ca/covid19 and work directly with them to receive a spot.The Province also noted that critical services includes all businesses listed under the Public Health Act emergency order, which includes:
- A business that provides transportation services necessary for the activities of daily living.
- A business that provides transportation services to other businesses or individuals by road, rail, air or water, including a business that provides logistical support, distribution services or warehousing and storage, or truck stops.
- A business that services or repairs vehicles, aircraft, watercraft, bicycles and includes car, truck and farm equipment dealerships and related facilities and auto supply stores and other similar retail businesses.
- A business that provides towing services or roadside repair assistance.
- A business that provides goods and services for the operation, maintenance and safety of the road, rail, air and water transportation systems.
- A business that provides maintenance services such as clearing snow and completing necessary repairs to the transportation system.
Quebec Thaw Updates
Quebec has updated the 2020 dates of when spring thaw weight restrictions apply. They are as follows:
– Zone 1 – March 9 to May 8 (inclusive)
– Zone 2 – April 6 to June 5 (inclusive)
– Zone 3 – April 6 to June 5 (inclusive)
These dates may be subject to change so carriers are encouraged to review the Tranports Quebec website (below) on a regular basis for any further updates.
As earlier posted, certain products have been exempted from these weight restrictions as follows:
Spring thaw load restrictions continue to apply in Quebec, although certain products are now temporarily exempted. The dates of the restrictions in each of the three zones can be found at: https://www.transports.gouv.qc.ca/en/camionnage/degel-periode-restrictions-charges/Pages/periode-degel.aspx
The applicable spring thaw weight limits are found in Section 14 of Quebec’s “Vehicle Load and Size Limits Regulation” of the Highway Safety Code: http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/ShowDoc/cr/C-24.2,%20r.%2031
Effective March 25, 2020 and through to June 20, 2020, the following commodity exemptions apply:
Vehicles are exempt from spring thaw reductions when carrying only the following commodities:
– Foodstuffs
– Sanitary and medical equipment
– Pharmaceutical products
– Products necessary for the production of foodstuffs
While vehicles or combinations carrying these commodities are exempted from the thaw reductions – weights remain limited to the maximums set out during non-thaw (normal) periods.
Following is link to the Gazette officielle du Québec (published in French) supporting this change: http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=1&file=72169.pdf
Carriers are encouraged to review the official Transports Quebec website on a regular basis to review applicable dates.