CTA meets with public safety minister

Toronto: The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) hosted a discussion with Canada’s public safety minister, Vic Toews, carriers and drivers at its Toronto office. On the agenda were Canada-US border and trade issues as well as cargo crime. About a dozen carriers and drivers attended, while another 25 participated through web conference.

The CTA said the meeting provided the minister with a first-hand account of the current border situation cargo crime.The minister was also able to discuss action the government has been taking on the issues.

“We’re delighted the minister took the time to come and visit with the industry directly,” said CTA president and CEO, David Bradley. “There’s nothing like hearing for himself about the issues the people that live and breathe the border daily are encountering.”

Among issues raised during the discussion were:

• in-transit movements; re-positioning of foreign empty trailers;
• recognition of the trusted trader programs PIP and C-TPAT;
• due process and appeals for trusted traders;
• flexibility in the application of FAST lane policies;
• integration between CBSA and other departments; and
• infrastructure investments and the utilization of existing technologies to expedite legitimate traffic flows.

On cargo crime, the CTA said it’s calling for increased enforcement resources and for stiffer penalties.