{"id":2979,"date":"2020-09-03T14:10:01","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T14:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cantruck.ca\/meal-allowance-change-government-of-canada-invests-and-supports-canadas-commercial-truck-drivers\/"},"modified":"2025-01-10T16:45:02","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T16:45:02","slug":"meal-allowance-change-government-of-canada-invests-and-supports-canadas-commercial-truck-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cantruck.ca\/fr\/meal-allowance-change-government-of-canada-invests-and-supports-canadas-commercial-truck-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Meal Allowance Change: Government of Canada Invests and Supports Canada\u2019s Commercial Truck Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Canadian Trucking Alliance is applauding Transportation Minister Marc Garneau\u2019s announcement today that the Government of Canada will be providing needed relief by increasing the federal meal allowance for commercial truck drivers\u00a0<\/span>grappling with soaring food costs<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has changed the day-to-day lives of truck drivers while choking off many affordable and healthy meal options available to them on the road,\u201d said CTA President Stephen Laskowski. \u201cToday\u2019s announcement by Minister Garneau to increase the meal allowance rate for truck drivers is yet another example of how Ottawa is showing incredible support for the trucking industry and its workforce throughout the COVID crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

The\u00a0simplified method (flat rate) for\u00a0meal allowance will now\u00a0increase from $17 to $23 per meal. The new policy\u00a0is\u00a0effective\u00a0immediately and retroactive to January 1, 2020. To learn more about this policy change click here<\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n

Prior to COVID-19, truck drivers had many more options to rest and eat, including cost-efficient, full-menu or buffet-style establishments where they could pick and choose a variety meal options based on price, value and dietary needs. The constrained supply of restaurants has left drivers with less healthy and more expensive options, which have only escalated in price since the outbreak of COVID-19 \u2013 especially in the more remote areas many truckers find themselves while on the road.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe meal allowance policy change will assist our essential workers who continue to move our nation\u2019s domestic and two-way trade with the United States. These positive changes to the meal allowance policy is an investment in securing the Canadian supply chain and is a symbol of the value and respect cabinet \u2013 and Minister Garneau, particularly \u2013 has for our nation\u2019s commercial truck drivers,\u201d added Laskowski.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Canadian Trucking Alliance would like to thank and acknowledge the efforts of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Teamsters Canada, Women\u2019s Trucking Federation of Canada\u00a0and Private Motor Truck Council\u00a0of Canada\u00a0and the provincial association members of CTA who have all been involved in educating the Government of Canada for this needed policy change.<\/p>\n

Both Minister Garneau and the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of National Revenue, whose department was responsible for crafting the new policy and approving it, had supportive words for both the industry and the policy:<\/em><\/p>\n