By Paul R. Landry, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association BC residents enjoy a quality of life that is among the highest in the world. An integral part of our lifestyle is the immediate access we have to commodities that satisfy both our needs and wants. And the ready access to those goods is the result of a vibrant trucking industry. Every Canadian depends on trucking, but it’s an essential service that few people think about. If you need convincing about the importance of trucking, just reach out and touch something in your immediate surroundings. Chances are, it, or parts of it, at some point in that item’s manufacture, traveled by truck. This month Canada’s trucking industry rolls out National Trucking Week (September 9 – 15) a period of time set aside annually to raise awareness of the vital role trucking plays in our lives. The old adage, “if you got it, a truck brought it” is truer today than ever and today the industry is delivering goods in a way that’s greener than ever too. Trucking is the lifeblood of the modern BC economy. The trucking industry helps to make BC a powerhouse player in today’s economy. No other mode of transport provides the flexible, timely and efficient service that Canadian businesses need to get their products to market on-time and at a competitive price. About 60,000 men and women make their living in BC’s trucking industry. Each day, tens of thousands of truck trips take place on the province’s roads (612,000 a week nationally). Trucking is also a major contributor to the federal and provincial coffers. A standard five-axle tractor-trailer operated by a single driver contributes over $45,000 a year in a variety of taxes. When you consider the distribution chain for the massive amounts of consumer products and foodstuffs transported throughout BC, trucks haul a whopping 70% making trucking an essential part of the province’s economy. What may surprise many people is to learn that today’s trucks are clean, green environmental machines. That’s because the 2007 model year truck engine gives the trucking industry entry into the era of the smogfree truck thanks to some of the most advanced technology that is on the market. Standard on all new transport truck engines is a sophisticated filter that traps harmful particulate matter, known to be harmful to human health. This, coupled with the ultra low sulphur diesel that now fuels all trucks – means that the 2007 year truck is 95% cleaner than those manufactured as recently as 2000. But the news about trucking’s environmental performance keeps getting better. By the end of this decade, trucks will be even cleaner as newer model year truck engines continue to utilize even more advanced emissions slashing technology. By 2010, smog emissions will be near zero – a total of 98% reduction since 1988. Trucking is also a major job creator in BC. The provincial trucking industry is going to need almost 5,000 new drivers a year well into the future. That’s because trucking is still one of the few industries where a good career awaits people with a wide variety of education, skills and aspirations. The industry offers good wages and opportunities for people both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. And there is a job opportunity for almost everyone, regardless of education or gender. Trucking is also a growth industry. That’s because B.C.’s reliance on trucking will continue to increase. For-hire truck traffic is expected to increase by an average annual growth rate of 3% between now and 2010. That is significantly more than any other mode. During National Trucking Week join us in saluting this vital industry and the men and women who keep Canada – and BC -- on the move. By Paul R. Landry, president and CEO, BC Trucking Association BC residents enjoy a quality of life that is among the highest in the world. An integral part of our lifestyle is the immediate access we have to commodities that satisfy both our needs and wants. And the ready access to those goods is the result of a vibrant trucking industry. Every Canadian depends on trucking, but it’s an essential service that few people think about. If you need convincing about the importance of trucking, just reach out and touch something in your immediate surroundings. Chances are, it, or parts of it, at some point in that item’s manufacture, traveled by truck. This month Canada’s trucking industry rolls out National Trucking Week (September 9 – 15) a period of time set aside annually to raise awareness of the vital role trucking plays in our lives. The old adage, “if you got it, a truck brought it” is truer today than ever and today the industry is delivering goods in a way that’s greener than ever too. Trucking is the lifeblood of the modern BC economy. The trucking industry helps to make BC a powerhouse player in today’s economy. No other mode of transport provides the flexible, timely and efficient service that Canadian businesses need to get their products to market on-time and at a competitive price. About 60,000 men and women make their living in BC’s trucking industry. Each day, tens of thousands of truck trips take place on the province’s roads (612,000 a week nationally). Trucking is also a major contributor to the federal and provincial coffers. A standard five-axle tractor-trailer operated by a single driver contributes over $45,000 a year in a variety of taxes. When you consider the distribution chain for the massive amounts of consumer products and foodstuffs transported throughout BC, trucks haul a whopping 70% making trucking an essential part of the province’s economy. What may surprise many people is to learn that today’s trucks are clean, green environmental machines. That’s because the 2007 model year truck engine gives the trucking industry entry into the era of the smogfree truck thanks to some of the most advanced technology that is on the market. Standard on all new transport truck engines is a sophisticated filter that traps harmful particulate matter, known to be harmful to human health. This, coupled with the ultra low sulphur diesel that now fuels all trucks – means that the 2007 year truck is 95% cleaner than those manufactured as recently as 2000. But the news about trucking’s environmental performance keeps getting better. By the end of this decade, trucks will be even cleaner as newer model year truck engines continue to utilize even more advanced emissions slashing technology. By 2010, smog emissions will be near zero – a total of 98% reduction since 1988. Trucking is also a major job creator in BC. The provincial trucking industry is going to need almost 5,000 new drivers a year well into the future. That’s because trucking is still one of the few industries where a good career awaits people with a wide variety of education, skills and aspirations. The industry offers good wages and opportunities for people both behind the wheel and behind the scenes. And there is a job opportunity for almost everyone, regardless of education or gender. Trucking is also a growth industry. That’s because B.C.’s reliance on trucking will continue to increase. For-hire truck traffic is expected to increase by an average annual growth rate of 3% between now and 2010. That is significantly more than any other mode. During National Trucking Week join us in saluting this vital industry and the men and women who keep Canada – and BC -- on the move.
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