Government of Canada amends regulations concerning container trucking at Port Metro Vancouver

VANCOUVER, Dec. 22, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, announced today that the Government of Canada has amended regulations to help the Province of British Columbia and Port Metro Vancouver bring further efficiency and stability to container trucking at Canada's busiest port.

Amendments to the Port Authorities Operations Regulations support new provincial legislation by requiring container trucking companies to have provincial licences to access Port Metro Vancouver.

A new model for the container trucking industry was jointly announced by the Government of Canada and British Columbia in October. Following a series of consultations, Port Metro Vancouver is proceeding with its reform of the Truck Licensing System, while a new provincial Office of the Commissioner of Container Trucking will be responsible for licensing container trucking companies that do business at Port Metro Vancouver.

The Government of Canada is committed to moving forward to implement a more efficient truck licensing system at the port, and ensuring its long-term sustainability. The new regulations are now in effect.

Quick Facts

• Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest port and the fourth largest tonnage port in North America.
• The port trades $184 billion in goods annually (based on 2013 cargo volumes) with more than 160 trading economies.
• The local trucking industry moves approximately 1.3 million TEUs* per year through Port Metro Vancouver.

Quote

"Our government is pleased to continue to work with the Province of BC, Port Metro Vancouver and the trucking industry to move forward with the port's vision of being a world leader in supply chain competitiveness and sustainability. These measures will harmonize our governments' legislation and allow the province to implement a new, more effective system to ensure goods move efficiently through the port to their market destinations. This is key to the long-term viability of Canada's Asia-Pacific Gateway."

The Honourable Lisa Raitt,
Minister of Transport

*The twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) is a standard unit for describing a ship's cargo carrying capacity, or a shipping terminal's cargo handling capacity.

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SOURCE: Transport Canada

Ashley Kelahear, Director of Communications, Office of the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport, 613-991-0700; Media Relations, Transport Canada, Ottawa, 613-993-0055