Trucking News

(OTTAWA: Jan. 20, 2006) - The Quebec Court of Appeal has granted standing to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) to intervene in support of a New Brunswick carrier who has been charged with violating Quebec's Code de securite routiere over the placement of lights on the rear of a trailer. According to the Alliance, the case raises fundamental questions regarding federal versus provincial jurisdiction in motor carrier transport.

The case revolves around a ticket issued in Quebec to Midland Transport for violating the section of the Code which deals with the placement of rear marker lights on the back of a trailer. Midland fought the ticket in provincial court and lost, but argued successfully before the Quebec superior court that as a carrier within federal jurisdiction, it should only be required to conform to technical standards for lighting adopted by the federal government. Quebec is now challenging the superior court decision before the Court of Appeal, the highest court in the province.

"From CTA's point of view, this case raises important constitutional issues which could have enormous consequences for the trucking industry" noted CTA Chief Executive Officer David Bradley. "The appeal court must decide on the constitutional applicability of the relevant section of the provincial Code de securite routiere on a carrier within federal jurisdiction. It is one thing for provinces to set varying operating requirements for carriers to comply with - but we have always understood that a vehicle manufactured to federal specifications should be free to travel anywhere the country. We are worried that this fundamental principle is at stake."

CTA is being represented in this matter by well-known transportation lawyer David Blair from the Quebec City office of Heenan Blaikie Aubut. It is expected that the Court of Appeal will hear the case in the fall of 2006, following the submission of written briefs from the parties.
CDL Practice Test

(Grain Valley, MO)-The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association Foundation has named Tom Weakley as Director of Operations.

The OOIDA Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to research issues that affect truckers such as economic conditions, health/safety issues and truck equipment.

Weakley joined OOIDA in 2002 and became Project Manager for the Foundation in 2003.

For several years before joining the OOIDA Foundation, Weakley worked as a hazardous materials hauler and trained others in the transportation and handling of hazardous materials. He also worked as a terminal manager for Safety-Kleen in Fort Smith, AR, and Kansas City, MO.

He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from William Jewell College in Liberty, MO, and a master's in education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Weakley says the research that is conducted by the Foundation is unique to the industry as it is the first organization to conduct research from a professional trucker's perspective.

Weakley is currently conducting research on timely industry issues such as hours of service, electronic on-board recorders and cost of operations surveys.

Materials produced through the Foundation are made available to schools offering driver training programs, commercial driver training institutions as well as OOIDA members.

Founded in 1973, OOIDA is comprised of more than 133,000 owner-operators, professional drivers and small business truckers from all 50 states and Canada.

With its national headquarters located just east of Kansas City in Grain Valley, MO, OOIDA represents the interests of the nation's trucking professionals in the legislative and regulatory processes at both federal and state levels.

CDL Practice Test