The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) has put together a security action plan that will help address concerns raised by the incoming US administration around border security.
President-elect Trump has warned Canada and Mexico he would be prepared to impose export traffics on both countries if border security concerns aren’t addressed.
Premier Doug Ford is sounding the alarm that a potential 25-per cent tariff would be devastating to workers and jobs in both Canada and the U.S. The Premier has stated that Ontarians need a Team Canada approach and response – and we need it now.
OTA has come to the table with an action plan which would alleviate some concerns.
“All sectors are going to have to contribute to this security policy effort to protect our access to the United States market,” said OTA Chair Mark Bylsma. “The trucking industry moves Ontario’s trade to the US and we need to work with Premier Ford to make the necessary changes that sends a proactive message to our American partners that we take border security seriously.”
OTA’s plan includes:
- Ensuring truck inspection stations at key locations operate 24/7, with police support and expand mobile patrols on key routes to the border to deter and intercept illegal activities and non-compliance;
- Increasing the presence of other government agencies such as the Ministry of Labour, Immigration & Skills Development, and other relevant provincial and federal agencies at TIS locations to ensure all laws and obligations applicable to trucking operations can be effectively enforced;
- Expand capabilities to allow inspections of trucking operation offices to ensure everyone is following the rules, in the same fashion that all establishments that sell or produce food in the province are inspected on a regular basis;
- Joint blitzes by labour officials and police on immigration consultants and temporary work agencies that are facilitating immigration and labour abuses in the cross-border trucking sector;
- All trucking companies utilizing the provincial immigration nominee program must go through inspections/audits immediately to ensure they are complying and that their workforce is not being mistreated;
- A Known Employer Program must be introduced for those trucking operations that want to participate in the provincial immigration Nominee Program and companies must be screened beforehand;
- Those who are repeat gross violators of WSIB obligations over the past five years should receive another review by WSIB to determine if they have reformed and are continuing to meet their compliance obligations;
- Any areas of significant labour non-compliance (driver misclassification) should result in a review of the carrier’s CVOR status; and, if necessary, a cancellation of their operating privileges.
Ontario-United States trade is valued at more than $450 billion annually. If Ontario were a country, the province would be the United States’ third-largest trading partner – the trucking industry moves 70% of that trade, by value.
“We are committed to working with the province to implement the items we have flagged to secure our supply chains and ensure we have a sustainable plan that ensures ongoing, compliant cross border operations,” said Geoff Wood, OTA Sr. VP, Policy.