Time for national trucking regulation

The case of Conquer Transport Inc. highlights the dangerous loopholes in provincial trucking safety regulations. Manitoba revoked the company's safety certificate in late 2021 for non-compliance with highway safety laws and trucking regulations. Despite this, the company continued operations by obtaining an Alberta safety certificate and vehicle registrations, even changing its name to Conquer Transportation Inc.

Tragically, a truck registered to the company ran a stop sign near Brandon on May 27, striking an SUV and killing 49-year-old Xiaoyun Zhang, who had the right of way. Nearly five years later, the Alberta government shut down the company after discovering numerous safety violations, including issues with driver hours, vehicle maintenance, inspections, and the company's safety program.

Manitoba's Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor has been advocating for a public registry that would allow governments and the public to view trucking companies' safety records, including violations and changes to their safety fitness ratings. However, she acknowledges that a database alone is not sufficient. Canada needs a national system with common safety standards for interprovincial carriers, as a trucking company deemed too dangerous in one province should not be able to simply change its name and obtain new credentials in another.

Alberta's Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen aptly described the current system as a "whack-a-mole game," where bad operators can pop up elsewhere under different names and structures. This not only puts motorists at risk but also undermines legitimate companies that invest in safe practices. Bad operators exploit regulatory grey areas to operate illegally, driving down rates and putting responsible companies at a competitive disadvantage.

The trucking industry requires consistent rules due to the fact that trucks don't stop at provincial borders. Therefore, a national safety system is necessary, both constitutionally and practically. Section 92(10)(a) of the Constitution Act, 1867, gives Parliament jurisdiction over interprovincial transportation, including trucks crossing provincial boundaries. A national safety system would make sense both constitutionally and practically.

The Alberta government's decision to shut down Conquer Transportation is a strong response to the weaknesses in Canada's patchwork trucking safety system. However, this action should not be necessary when a fatal crash exposes these flaws. The public should have easy access to information on a trucking company's safety history to determine if it has been previously shut down or sanctioned for serious violations.