Governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan work together to cut red tape for commercial trucking industry

The Governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Regina to help truckers and shippers move goods more efficiently and safely in western Canada.

The memorandum will help harmonize policies and regulations for commercial vehicle operations, reduce barriers between the two provinces, and address safety regulations. This includes specific items such as special permits, vehicle weights and dimensions, cooperative enforcement activities, national safety code issues and research.

“Transportation is fundamental to supporting Alberta’s economy and we are committed to seeing that regulations don’t impede the economic competitiveness of either province,” said Luke Ouellette, Alberta Minister of Transportation. “This memorandum of understanding supports highway safety and the reduction of barriers to interprovincial transportation.”

“For Saskatchewan’s export-based economy, this means businesses will be more competitive in reaching inter-provincial, national and worldwide markets,” Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure Minister Jim Reiter said. “Our two governments are acting to reduce red tape and enhance our business climate to continue to grow our provincial economies.”

“The trucking industry is pleased to see this spirit of co-operation to allow us to move more seamlessly between the two provinces and to literally help us keep the economy moving,” Saskatchewan Trucking Association President Glen Ertell said.

“From a trucking industry perspective this is good news because it highlights all the work that has been done on transportation between Alberta and Saskatchewan over the years to benefit the economy,” said Richard Warnock, President of the Alberta Motor Transport Association.

Key issues in the MOU include:

• the harmonization of special permit conditions for turnpike doubles (a semi with two long trailers);
• the harmonization of special permit conditions for oversize and overweight indivisible loads;
• the harmonization of the maximum gross vehicle weight for B-trains (a semi with two trailers);
• the establishment of an inter-provincial heavy haul/high clearance corridor;
• the harmonization of special permit conditions for the movement of manufactured homes;
• the harmonization of regulation and permit conditions based on the National Safety Code;
• co-operative commercial vehicle enforcement activities and facilities; and
• a joint research and pilot project to address common concerns with wide-based super single tires.