Trucking industry wants rules eased on temporary workers

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This article was published 22/04/2020 (2137 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s trucking industry is calling on the provincial government to ease administrative restrictions and support temporary foreign workers who’ve been hauling goods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While other provinces, including Ontario and B.C., have extended the validity of, and deferred payments on, drivers licences and vehicle registrations, the same hasn’t happened in Manitoba.

Manitoba Public Insurance and the department of infrastructure have said they’re working on some relief for the trucking industry as companies push for more support to keep fleets on the road in the face of decreasing cashflow — despite higher demand for food and essential products.

“As much as folks may have an impression that trucking is kind of COVID-immune, there are certain segments of our industry that are still moving, but there are certain segments of our industry that are absolutely shut down,” said Terry Shaw, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association.

Roughly 63 per cent of members across Canada reported clients not paying or asking to defer payment since the onset of the pandemic, according to preliminary survey results released Wednesday by the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

About 25 trucking companies from Manitoba participated in the online survey, which also noted an average 27 per cent drop in revenue and triple the number of trips that don’t make any money (for example: after a truck has dropped off its cargo and is driving to the next pickup point).

There’s increasing pressure to recruit drivers, but Manitoba companies that have relied on temporary foreign workers are facing even more uncertainty.

At Gladstone Transfer, a rural trucking company hauling dry bulk goods, about 78 per cent of the workforce arrived via the provincial nominee program.

Twenty-six of its 33 truck drivers are or were temporary foreign workers; some are now permanent residents, but two recent arrivals were left in danger of losing driver’s licences and ability to stay in Canada because of the COVID-19 response, said Ken Crawford, senior manager of operations.

The Gladstone-based company lost one driver, who went back to the U.K. last week because he was facing expiry of his licence, with no clear way to renew it, Crawford said. Another is on the verge of his licence expiring May 7.

Drivers are allowed to use international driver’s licences for a maximum of 90 days before they must complete additional training and a road test for a Manitoba licence. With all road tests cancelled in Manitoba until further notice, those truckers can’t drive without a licence and they can’t remain in Canada without work.

“It’s a scary thought, and I feel really bad for the temporary foreign workers that have come over here in good faith to support the demand, the need for truck drivers. And now I’m going back to those drivers and saying to them, ‘I’m sorry, we can’t pay you because you can’t drive anymore,’” Crawford said.

He called on the province to implement a 90-day licence extension for temporary foreign workers who need Manitoba licences.

The Manitoba Trucking Association is asking the province to help keep truckers behind the wheel and lift the “administrative burden” associated with renewing registrations for a whole fleet, Shaw said.

In a brief statement, a spokeswoman for Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler said: “This is a process the province is currently working through and appreciates the patience of our industry stakeholders at this time.”

MPI didn’t grant an interview request. However, a spokesman said in an email extending licences or registration periods requires legislative changes via an order from cabinet, or an order under Manitoba’s emergency measures laws.

katie.may@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @thatkatiemay