Evidence of meeting #113 for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was drivers.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Ron Liepert Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
Thank you.
I've been given a chance to ask one question and I'll try and sneak in two. They should both require fairly short answers.
Earlier you were talking about technology that existed, and it was in response to my colleague's question, and it's related to the Humboldt crash.
Is there technology out there today with GPS that a driver could actually program into the truck that would look at the route and indicate where there are stop signs or the GPS would actually stop the truck?
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Ron Liepert Conservative Calgary Signal Hill, AB
Okay. Thank you.
Tomorrow is the official legal pot day.
10:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
It's a big concern for us.
10:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
Enforcement is a concern. There are 200,000 truck drivers in our country and maybe 50,000 mechanics who work on the trucks.
Most of our companies have drug and alcohol policies, because they've been doing it forever if they're crossing the border. But it doesn't really take into consideration marijuana. How are we going to test for it, and when are they impaired?
We've been talking about this in our meetings for the last two years now. It's a huge grey area. We brought in specialists, experts on the topic.
Some companies are taking a stand and saying, “We're going to test everybody. Whether it's the cleaning lady or the driver, if we find some in your system, you're not going to work here.”
When you're looking at our crisis in labour, it makes it even more tough to manage.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
10:40 a.m.
Dufferin—Caledon, CPC
Just on that, I think it's the Toronto Police Service that announced that police officers can't use cannabis at all for 28 days. That's a month.
10:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
It stays in your system for a month, apparently. That's why.
10:40 a.m.
Dufferin—Caledon, CPC
Yes, and obviously, that's good, particularly in the trucking business. Are you making any recommendations to companies, or are you going to make companies have similar requirements?
10:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
We are. We are telling them to get some advice, whether it's from a lawyer or experts, on what sorts of policies they should have in place. We're really telling them to be extremely strict and extremely diligent in what they're going to impose as a policy.
Many have those policies in place today, but again, the other concern for us is enforcement and how that is going to unfold.
10:40 a.m.
Dufferin—Caledon, CPC
Have you philosophized on that? We were just talking about the terrible Humboldt collision, not that it was necessarily cannabis. I don't know anything about that. You can see potential problems down the line with the trucking business, just the public relations of it.
10:40 a.m.
Executive Director, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association
Absolutely. We share our office with thousands of pedestrians and cars every day, so yes, we need to be very cognizant of that and make sure we have strict policies in place. Right now, we have to rely on the owners of these companies to put these policies in place.
10:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Thank you very much.
Thank you to our witnesses. Your information was very valuable today, and has certainly spurred a lot of interest from members for some additional questions.
Thank you to our students. I hope you enjoyed the two hours you were with us this morning.
The meeting is adjourned.