The BCTA Board of Directors adopts policy positions to:
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indicate support for or opposition to a government policy or action;
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guide the association in pursuing a policy objective; and
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advocate industry standards or behaviours.
Below are some of BCTA's current policy priorities.
We regularly update our members about progress on these and other positions via our Bulletin newsletter and in our Annual Status Report.
Electronic Logging Devices: One of BCTA’s main safety positions, the ELD mandate is in progress as Transport Canada has introduced the new requirements for federally-regulated carriers to use third-party certified ELDs by June 2021. The key points of BCTA’s position on ELDs are as follows:
- All heavy trucks operating within Canada, or into and out of Canada, should be equipped with ELDs to improve compliance and level the playing field with respect to hours-of-service regulations;
- All efforts should be made to create a national ELD standard as consistent as possible with the US ELD rule; and
- Enforcement authorities should work with industry to establish consistent enforcement protocols and to accept electronically produced driver trip inspection.
Speed Limiters: Another of BCTA’s safety positions that we are actively pursuing is for the government to mandate the use of speed limiters on all heavy trucks, with the maximum speed set to 105 kph. Not only does this improve highway safety for all drivers, it is better for the environment because it improves fuel efficiency and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. To further assist the trucking industry in reducing its GHG emissions, BCTA has also requested financial incentives from the government to promote the turnover of heavy commercial vehicles to newer model years.
Mandatory Entry-level Training: Addressing labour shortages is a key priority for BCTA members, and our position on MELT for commercial vehicle drivers is part of a broader approach to deal with other related human resources issues. Our position is that the provincial government should mandate a minimum occupational training standard for professional truck drivers (we are, in fact, now involved in the development process with provincial ministries and other stakeholders). As well, the provincial government, in consultation with industry, should develop mechanisms for financing truck driver training. Finally, in recognition of the actual skills, knowledge and experience needed to be a professional truck driver, the National Occupational Standard classification code for truck drivers should be raised from “semi-skilled” to “skilled.”
Rest Areas - The province’s roads and highways are essentially part of the workplace for the road transportation industry. As a result, BCTA regularly surveys our members for their infrastructure improvement priorities and submits them to the government. Right now, improving and adding rest areas throughout the province is a high priority for members. BCTA’s position is that access to rest areas is essential to the health and safety of driver and states that rest areas should:
- be provided within 50 km from urban centres and at a maximum of 150 km intervals thereafter;
- be clearly marked with signage that indicates distance and directions to the rest area;
- have sufficient parking to accommodate commercial vehicles for short rest stops and longer overnight stops;
- have truck parking bays that are well separated, clearly marked, and arranged to ease access and maximize the number of spaces; and
- include basic amenities such as washrooms, food service, tables, internet access, and facilities that provide protection from the elements (shade, rain cover, etc.).
Congestion & Mobility Pricing - BCTA has also developed a position on mobility pricing and transportation planning specific to Metro Vancouver as the region how to deal with congestion and fund transportation infrastructure. We recognize the importance of efficient movement of goods and people to the economy and Metro Vancouver’s value as a gateway. As such, our position states the regional transportation system must be planned, managed, and funded in a manner that is cost effective, financially sustainable, and fair to system users and taxpayers.