Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As we've all heard, trucking is the wheels of our nation that keep us moving.
I come from the riding of Cambridge. We have very many reputable carriers as well as many concerns that I'd like to address today.
My questions are going to be for Melanie Vanstone. Thank you for coming here today.
We're hearing about inexperienced drivers, who are often new to Canada. They're being sent on long-haul interprovincial routes in winter driving conditions without adequate training or the equipment required to operate safely, such as tire chains, winter tires and emergency gear. Many lack the practical knowledge to handle snow, ice and extreme cold, and are unfamiliar with how to use winter equipment effectively.
These concerns point to gaps in training standards and oversight, particularly in fast-tracked licensing programs. What risk does this pose to public safety and to experienced carriers sharing the road? Do you support an extra-provincial framework for commercial driver training, particularly to address fast-tracked licensing programs in unregulated training centres linked to the Driver Inc. model?