Transport Minister Omar Alghabra issued a public statement today, which once again commits the Government of Canada to the third-party certified electronic logging device (ELD) mandate, coming into force June 2021. The statement reinforced support for industry and government working together to develop a successful and progressive enforcement strategy.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance lauded Minister Alghabra for his leadership on this critical highway safety issue.
Early in 2021, (CTA) submitted a strategy to the Council of Ministers Responsible for Transportation and Highway Safety on the development of a 12-month, phased-in enforcement strategy of third-party certified electronic logging devices (ELDs) starting in June 2021.
The CTA strategy recommends that meaningful and gradual enforcement of the ELD regulation take shape over the 12-month period, starting in June 2021 and ending with the full enforcement of the law by June 2022. CTA’s enforcement strategy deals separately and fairly with federally regulated carriers operating ELDs and those still using paper logbooks.
“The CTA enforcement strategy provides the people of Canada with the safety benefits they have come to expect and deserve from this regulation, which will allow the full benefits of ELDs to come to fruition within in 12 months,” said CTA Chair Jean Claude Fortin. “The strategy reflects the realities of transitioning to third-party certified ELDs and ensures a smooth 12-month transition from paper logbooks to electronic devices for ELD vendors, carriers and drivers.”
CTA has also received written confirmation this week from the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators that a committee has been formed to develop the progressive enforcement strategy and that industry will be invited to the table.
CTA thanks Minister Alghabra, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Transport and all officials for their leadership in making this important regulation come into effect and for involving industry in the development of the progressive enforcement plan.
“CTA is committed to working with the provinces, territories and federal government in a comprehensive and fair manner that sees the mandate receive progressive and full enforcement within a 12-month period. The introduction of phased-in enforcement strategies is not unusual to our sector; however, CTA sees no valid reason to extend an ELD phased-in enforcement approach beyond a 12-month period,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “Government and industry must commit to this progressive, 12-month process for the advancement of highway safety and to reinforce our commitment to safety we made collectively following the Humboldt tragedy.”