Canadian Legislative Issues

Federal Minister of State (Transport), the Honorable Steven Fletcher, addressed trucking industry partners to highlight the important role they play in Canada’s transportation system. Speaking to the group in Winnipeg on March 12 during the Annual Meeting of the Manitoba Trucking Association, the Minister touched on trucking industry concerns, including safety and environmental regulations, as well as road and border infrastructure.

Minister Fletcher reiterated that government’s commitment to working collaboratively to ensure that Canada’s transportation system is effective and efficient. Additionally, the government is committed to ensuring that Canada remains competitive through long-term policies, including the Gateway and Trade Corridor initiatives, the development of a new long-term infrastructure plan and the Canada-U.S. Beyond the Border Action Plan.

The Minister concluded by reminding the group that the government is focused on four core priorities that Canadians care most about: their families, the safety of Canadian streets and communities, their pride in being a Canadian citizen, and their personal financial security.


On behalf of the Government of Canada, the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) has announced it is working to address a gap in electric vehicle safety training for Canadian first responders. The need to successfully train Canadian first responders to safely handle emergency situations has grown immensely, with the recent surge in electric vehicles on North American roads.

The Honorable Joe Oliver, Minister of Natural Resources highlighted that the government is committed to ensuring that first responders are prepared for the growing use of electric vehicles in Canada, and to ongoing collaboration with key stakeholders and governments to bring electric vehicles to consumers faster and to provide jobs and economic development for Canadians.

Training module packages will be available to Canadian provinces by mid-2013, and will include Train-the-Trainer sessions, as well as online training and resources for Fire, Police, Emergency Medical Services, tow truck operators, and other first responders.