In an August 13, 2021, submission to BC’s Select Standing Committee on Finance, BCTA recommended investment in these priorities for Budget 2022-2023: measures to assist small businesses and tourism-related businesses, infrastructure improvement projects, the CleanBC Heavy-duty Vehicle Efficiency (HDVE) Program, and a PST exemption for 2017 and newer heavy truck and motor coach models.

In our submission, BCTA noted that these requests align with the government’s main priorities of supporting small businesses impacted by COVID-19, making life more affordable for British Columbians, and protecting the environment.

Supporting Small Businesses

The impact of COVID-19 on the commercial road transportation industry has been significant. BC’s motor coach businesses have been particularly devastated by the restrictions on non-essential travel and the shutdown of tourism, the cruise ship industry, and events. Many their commercial vehicles are parked, and these businesses, many of which are small businesses, are severely strained.

BCTA acknowledged measures the provincial government has taken so far to support BC businesses through the COVID-19 crisis. We urged the government to continue financial supports to help motor coach companies restart normal operations once all COVID-19-related measures are lifted.

Protecting the Environment

Protecting the environment is a key priority of BCTA and our members. We pointed to the success of the first- and second-year of the CleanBC HDVE Program, a partnership between BCTA and the Province of BC. Across the two years, we have trained 259 participants across 219 companies. Combined these companies represent 27,751 heavy duty commercial vehicles – roughly equivalent to the total BCTA member fleet size. Initial greenhouse gas (GHG) data modelling shows the cumulative effect of the program has accelerated to an annual reduction of 18.7 million kilograms of CO2, which is equivalent to removing nearly 4,000 passenger vehicles from our roads.

In light of the overwhelming interest and success, BCTA urged the provincial government to extend the Program for at least an additional three years (years 4, 5, and 6) until alternative heavy-duty commercial power train options (i.e., hydrogen, electric, hybrids) are market ready and affordable. We also requested an increase in funding, for a total of $3.5 million annually.

We also highlighted the potential for infrastructure investments to reduce congestion and associated GHG emissions, while at the same time making roads safer for all users. Our infrastructure improvement priorities are:

• Six-laning Highway 1 from 264 Street in Langley to Hope, to accommodate current and future road demands in a manner that promotes road safety and efficient movement of people and goods;
• An additional berth at the BC Ferries Duke Point Terminal to provide increased commercial capacity on sailings between Nanaimo and Tsawwassen;
• Improve and add rest areas that accommodate commercial vehicles throughout BC, which are crucial to the health and safety of all drivers;
• Replace the George Massey Tunnel with a structure that has capacity to safely meet future demand and accommodate goods movement, including dangerous goods; and
• Upgrade the Brunette Interchange by separating the main crossing of Highway 1 into two corridors for local vs. regional/provincial traffic and increasing all height clearances to at least 6 metres.

In support of the movement of oversized loads and opening up western Canada’s trade competitiveness, ensure that all provincial infrastructure projects be built to the following standards:

• All overpasses be upgraded to a minimum height clearance of at least 6 metres, and bypasses be installed to allow oversized vehicles to remain on the provincial road network; and
• All by-passes and roundabouts be built to accommodate oversized vehicles, including but not limited to turnpike double long combination vehicles which have the potential to reduce GHG emissions by up to 41%.

Lastly, BCTA also requested government support in providing a PST credit/exemption, like the one provided for Production Machinery and Equipment, for MY 2017 and newer heavy-duty trucks and motor coaches. Trucking is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, and incentives from PST exemptions would be crucial to assisting the BC Government to meet its climate objectives. This recognizes that the next generation of these vehicles is not only smog free but more fuel efficient, with substantially lower GHG emission intensity than its predecessors.

Click here for a copy of BCTA’s Submission.