Letter to the editor

A7

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Speak Up

Each year we at the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association take a week to recognize everyone who makes our industry roll. We would like to ask the public to participate with us this year. When you meet that truck driver coming in the opposite direction, give him or her a wave. That truck might be carrying food, clothing, home heating fuel, gravel or forest products, all things that keep our economy moving forward.

We are unique in Atlantic Canada because 100 per cent of all consumer goods and foodstuffs that move internally in our four provinces move by truck. The past year has seen the trucking industry face many challenges with the doubling of diesel prices leading to increased costs for those operating trucks and for consumers by way of price increases at the checkout. The coming year will continue to see us face the threat of carbon taxes which will continue to drive up operating costs and in turn dramatically increase the costs of food, clothing and home heating fuel. But there are good news stories here for the public and for the trucking industry.

The road transport industry and heavy truck and engine manufacturers in the past two years have reduced emissions by close to 90 per cent with the introduction of low sulphur fuels and low emission engines. In 2010 and 2012 we will be introducing new technologies which will see the introduction of zero emission engines and hybrid trucks for local delivery. The trucking industry has moved further and faster than any other transportation sector to reduce emissions. We are not just meeting targets for GHG reductions being set by Provincial and Federal governments, we are exceeding them and leading the way to a greener future for transportation in Atlantic Canada.

The trucking industry continues to meet and improve on safety records throughout the region. The road transport industry works with the four Atlantic region provincial governments to consistently improve upon transportation and motoring safety on the roads and highways of Atlantic Canada.

Industries that depend upon quality road transport continue to work together with the members of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association on issues that are key to economic survival and progress throughout the Atlantic region.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association we salute the men and women who drive, dispatch, sell, service, administer and own the trucks and trucking companies that work around the clock 365 days a year. These women and men make it possible for you to have fresh produce year round, your choice of fashion and move Atlantic Canadian products to markets beyond our loading docks and bring the world back to Atlantic Canada.

Remember this — if you bought it, a truck brought it.

Peter A. Nelson

Executive Director

Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association