No. GC004/06
For release April 20, 2006
REGULATIONS TO STABILIZE
CONTAINER TRUCKING INDUSTRY
IN BRITISH COLUMBIA
LOWER MAINLAND
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is proposing regulations to facilitate
industry relations, help ensure the efficient movement of containers, and
promote the long-term stability of operations in the ports of Vancouver and
Fraser River, in British Columbia's Lower Mainland.
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Lawrence Cannon today
announced this initiative, which will help stabilize the container trucking
industry in British Columbia's Lower Mainland.
"Shippers and clients around the world need to know that the lower mainland
ports are reliable," said Minister Cannon. "Today's proposed regulations will
improve the efficiency of these ports and maintain their excellent reputation
worldwide."
Under the proposed
Regulations Amending the Port Authorities Operations
Regulations, port authorities will have the legal obligation to establish a
licensing system, set minimum conditions on licences, and ensure these
conditions are respected.
The minimum conditions would be related to:
- the reservation system established or adopted by the port authority;
- the port authority's requirements for the identification of trucks and
other road transportation equipment, and the tracking and monitoring of these
trucks and equipment as they move into, within, and out of the port; and
- any applicable law that governs rates of remuneration received by the
owner-operator of a tractor covered by an authorization for the delivery,
pick-up or movement of containers into or out of the port.
The proposed regulations would also reinforce the measures being established
by the Vancouver Port Authority and Fraser River Port Authority to implement
licensing regimes setting out conditions of entry that will improve efficiency
at the ports, reduce wait times and increase the number of daily trips made by
owner-operators.
"The ports in Vancouver are vital to local and national economies and should run
as seamlessly as possible in order to accommodate trade," said David Emerson,
Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the
Vancouver-Whistler Olympics. "These ports have a critical role to play in
realizing the opportunities associated with emerging Asia Pacific trade and the
Pacific Gateway Initiative. The Government of Canada looks forward to working
with the Province of British Columbia and industry to ensure that this long-term
solution is successful."
The proposed regulations were published in the
Canada Gazette Part I on April
20, 2006. A 30-day response period will follow, during which interested parties
are invited to comment on the proposed regulations.
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Contacts: |
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Huguette Guilhaumon
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Transport,
Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
(613) 991-0700
|
Cathy Cossaboom
Communications
Transport Canada, Ottawa
(613) 993-0055
|
Jennifer Chiu
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Trade
and Minister for the Pacific Gateway
and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, Ottawa
(613) 992-7332 |
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