About the OTA

1898 – Robert Simpson Co. rolls out the first electric powered truck on Ontario’s roads.

1926 – The Automotive Transportation Association, the predecessor of OTA, is formed. It represented less than 200 commercial vehicles.

1927 – Leonard S. Meiler is the first holder of an Ontario commercial driver’s licence. ATA celebrates first major policy, victory, defeating railway-led proposal to limit trucks’ operating range.

1936 – Association launches first safe driving campaign.

1943 – J.O. “Mr. Trucking” Goodman named GM. He grew association to 2,000 members when he left it as OTA in 1978.

1950 – Industry momentum builds and trucks fill the void during major rail strike.

1962 – Trans-Canada Hwy officially opens, giving truckers single coast-to-coast route.

1974 – Ontario truckers win the right to haul 7 days a week.

1977 – Association plays key role in developing Ontario;s Class A commercial licence standards.

1982 – With OTA input, a North American common inspection standard is introduced.

1987 – Barriers crumble: Two years after national de-regulation, Ontario follows suit.

1989 – NAFTA: North America is open for business.

1993 – After intense lobbying, Ontario moves up to 53-ft trailers.

1995 – Inaugural OTA Road Knights team is chosen.

1996 – Trucking safety comes under the microscope. OTA helps develop new brake safety standards.

1999 – National Trucking Week is born.

2000 – OTA creates Truck World.

2001 – In the wake of 9-11, OTA grapples with first wave of new border crossing rules.

2007 – New hours-of-services rules introduced in Canada and U.S.

2008 – Ont and PQ first jurisdictions in North America to mandate speed limiters on trucks.

2010 – New engine emission rules eliminate particulates and NOx.

2011 – Ontario program expands to allow LCVs on road.

2014 – Thanks to OTA efforts, Ontario agrees to begin work on Mandatory Entry Level Training.