No. H173/05
For release August 8, 2005

THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA
ESTABLISHES TASK FORCE TO REVIEW ISSUES
IN THE BRITISH COLUMBIA TRUCKING DISPUTE

OTTAWA — Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre today announced the creation of a task force to review transportation and other structural and representational issues underlying the recent trucking dispute at the Port of Vancouver and other ports in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

The three-member task force, established in collaboration with the Federal Ministers of Labour and Housing and Industry and the Province of British Columbia, will recommend a long-term strategy to facilitate industry relations, ensure the efficient movement of containers and help improve the effectiveness and reliability of the regional and national transportation network. Mr. Vince Ready, who facilitated the resolution of the dispute, will serve as special advisor to the task force.

"This task force was established to examine the functions, structure and relationships amongst various parties associated with the movement of containers into and out of ports in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia," said Mr. Lapierre. "I would like to thank the members of the task force for agreeing to take on their new duties and I look forward to receiving their report."

"Keeping people working is vital to the Canadian economy. We must work together to resolve disputes that affect people’s jobs," said Labour and Housing Minister Joe Fontana. "By finding solutions now, we will be able to help prevent major disruptions at these ports in the future."

"The Port of Vancouver is of vital interest to the local and national economies," said Industry Minister David L. Emerson. "While the Government of Canada has acted diligently to help resolve this issue in the short-term, today’s announcement is a further step in facilitating the necessary actions to bring about a lasting resolution."

"Moving goods safely and efficiently through our ports benefits all sectors of our economy," said British Columbia Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon. "I look forward to recommendations the task force can make that may positively impact the movement of containers in and out of our Lower Mainland ports."

"Ports play a vital role in British Columbia's booming economy and there needs to be a long term strategy to ensure they operate efficiently," said British Columbia Labour and Citizens’ Services Minister Mike de Jong. "I'm encouraged the task force will be examining both industrial relations and operational issues. Along with my colleague the Minister of Transportation, I look forward to its recommendations."

Task force members include:
Ken Dobell holds a bachelor of applied science degree and a master of science degree. He recently served as Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary of British Columbia and is currently a Special Advisor in the Premier’s Office. He worked for the City of Vancouver as City Manager and then as CEO of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority.

Randy Morriss holds a bachelor of arts degree and a master of arts degree. Most recently, he was the Director General of Port Programs at Transport Canada. He has also served as Director of Ferry Policy and Programs and Director of Program Review in the department. Mr. Morriss is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Eric Harris, Q.C., holds a bachelor of law degree and is a member of the Bar of the Province of British Columbia. He is a founding partner of Harris & Company and became a Queen’s counsel in 1997. Mr. Harris also served on the Committee of Special Advisors to review issues surrounding the British Columbia Labour Code.

The task force will submit its recommendations and a final report to the Minister of Transport within the next three months. An interim report is expected within 45 days.

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BACKGROUNDER

PORT OF VANCOUVER TRUCKERS DISPUTE

On June 27, 2005, owner-operator truckers withheld services in the movement of containers at ports in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia due to a dispute with truck companies and brokers over rates and other conditions. The dispute had a significant impact on the port and had begun to affect the efficiency of the national transportation system. Therefore, the Government of Canada decided to take action designed to help resolve this dispute and to protect the public interest.

On June 30, 2005, the Federal Minister of Labour and Housing Joe Fontana and the British Columbia Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services Mike de Jong jointly appointed Mr. Vince Ready as facilitator to assist the parties in reaching an agreement. Both sides welcomed this appointment and worked with Mr. Ready. Despite the efforts of the facilitator, there were a number of issues the parties were unable to resolve.

By its fourth week, the dispute was having a significant impact on the Port of Vancouver and repercussions had begun to be felt within the national transportation system. As such, on July 29, 2005, Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre, together with Industry Minister David L. Emerson, announced federal action to help reach a negotiated settlement of the trucking dispute at the Port of Vancouver and other ports in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

The Government of Canada approved action under Section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act, which established a special, time-limited opportunity of 90 days for the parties and other interested groups to discuss and develop an agreement without risking violation of the Competition Act.

On August 5, 2005, Transport Minister Jean-C. Lapierre and Industry Minister David L. Emerson, announced that federal Cabinet approved further action under Section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act, requiring the Vancouver Port Authority and the Fraser River Port Authority to follow through with a system of licensing for the delivery, pick-up or movement of containers at the port.

This action also required that the applicants for licences be signatories to the Memorandum of Agreement between the Container Trucking Companies and the Vancouver Container Truckers’ Association dated July 29, 2005. It also required that they accept the dispute resolution process outlined in the memorandum of agreement and that the Vancouver Port Authority and the Fraser River Port Authority prohibit access to the ports if the above requirements are not met.

On August 8, 2005, Ministers Lapierre, Emerson and Fontana, along with the Province of British Columbia, announced the creation of a three-member task force to review and report on underlying transportation and other structural and representational issues associated with the trucking dispute at ports in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia.

The task force is comprised of three members and was established in collaboration with the Federal Ministers of Transport, Labour and Housing and Industry and the Province of British Columbia. It will recommend a long-term strategy to facilitate industry relations, ensure the efficient movement of containers and maintain the effectiveness of the national transportation system.

The task force will be mandated to examine transportation and industrial relations issues affecting owner-operator truckers and trucking operators. In particular the task force will undertake, amongst others, the following assignments:

• examine and make recommendations on the roles of affected port authorities, brokers, freight-forwarders, shippers, trucking firms, truck owner-operators, as well as the provincial and federal governments with regard to optimizing efficiency in the movement of containers in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, including movements into and out of the Ports of Vancouver, Fraser River and North Fraser;
• examine and report on possible synergies and optimization in the operations of the various port authorities, as well as the application of licensing systems at the ports;
• examine and provide options and recommendations regarding legislative and/or regulatory frameworks available to the federal and provincial governments and how these may be applicable; and
• examine the industrial relations between the trucking companies and container truck drivers serving the Ports of Vancouver, Fraser River and North Fraser, including the process for determining rates and other contract terms and conditions and the process for resolving disputes.

The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia remain committed to taking action, as necessary, to support short- and long-term solutions to issues raised during this dispute. In addition to presenting an interim report on key questions within 45 days, the task force will be asked to present final recommendations within the next three months.

August 2005