No. H 121/07
For release June 21, 2007
OTTAWA - Canada's New Government is proposing regulations as a further step
in preserving the long-term stability of operations at the ports of
Vancouver and Fraser River.
"The Government of Canada continues to demonstrate a commitment to ensure
continued access to our vital port infrastructure on the West Coast," said
the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities. "As we have seen in the past, container trucking disruptions
can have severe implications for Canadian trade. Clearly it is important
that we move to ensure long-term stability for trucking operations at Lower
Mainland ports."
The proposed regulations modify existing regulations that make it a
requirement to be granted a licence to access the ports of Vancouver and
Fraser River. Specifically, the proposed regulations require non-unionized
owner-operator truckers, who are currently subject to the rates of
remuneration set out in the Memorandum of Agreement (July 2005), to be
compensated at the equivalent of any rate that has been established in a
collective agreement that applies to unionized owner-operators. These
measures are necessary to preserve the stability of container trucking
operations at the ports upon expiry of the Memorandum of Agreement in early
August 2007.
"Our government has worked closely with stakeholders, including the
Province of B.C. and the port authorities, to provide stability and
predictability for the trucking industry," said the Honourable David
Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific
Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. "I believe these proposed
regulations will go a long way in setting up a stable system for the
industry. This move is critical in helping to maintain efficiency at these
ports and to build Canada's reputation as a gateway for trade."
"British Columbia is Canada's Pacific Gateway, and it's vital that our
ports remain open and reliable to growing Asia-Pacific trade," said British
Columbia Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. "The Province welcomes this
change that will provide greater reliability to shippers moving goods
through the Pacific Gateway."
The proposed regulations do not interfere with the rates that have been
established by the trucking industry under collective bargaining. Therefore,
the rates that have been negotiated within the marketplace will continue to
be in effect.
The proposed regulations were published on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 in the
Canada Gazette, Part I, and are subject to a 30-day consultation
period.
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Contacts:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Anne-Marie Bouchard
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International
Trade and Minister for the Pacific
Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler
Olympics, Ottawa
613-992-7332
Ann McMullin
Amalgamation Communication Team,
Vancouver
604-665-9069
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca.
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