There has never been a better time than now to join the ranks of some of Canada’s leading Private Fleets and Industry suppliers, and there is no better way to network and learn from these industry veterans than to join the membership of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada. The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada has been Canada’s only national Association representing the views and Interests of Private Carriers since 1977, so after 38 years, you may ask, why is now the time I should join?? In the next few paragraphs I will endeavour to explain the exciting initiatives the PMTC office, its directors and members have been working on to increase the value, education and networking opportunities available to our members, both current, and future ones.
Educational Seminars
Our Annual Conference in June has long been regarded as one of the best educational and networking values in the industry, and this past years record attendance would indicate the word is spreading even further. With this in mind, and indications being that education and networking are at the top of the values members hope to gain from our association, we have been working on plans to have more educational seminars throughout the year.
Our first of these seminars will take place in Truro, Nova Scotia on September 16th. This is a joint seminar being held with Trucking Human Resources Sector Council Atlantic. This 4.5 hour seminar will include insight from Labour Lawyer Kimberley D. Pochini, – Understanding our Responsibilities as Leaders. Kimberley will present on the complexities of dealing with mental illness in the workplace, including the applicable legislation, the duty to accommodate, an employer’s right to medical information, recent legal cases, as well as available resources for employers. This is a challenging area for employers in all sectors, particularly those where there are workplace safety considerations.
Following this educational value, will be the topic of Medical Marijuana and the Workplace, presented by Dr. Barry Kurtzer, a physician with more than 30 years of experience providing occupational health programs to employers. This session will cover the following:
– How Canada’s federal medical marijuana regulatory changes could impact the transportation industry.
– Medical Qualification to drive issues as per the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) and the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).
– The health benefits and risks of using medical marijuana, including impact of medical marijuana on driving and workplace safety.
– Unique considerations (including case examples) of workers in safety-sensitive jobs who use medical marijuana.
– The Game Plan for Employers, including considerations around policy, supervisor training, and job physical demands analysis/safety impact evaluations.
Attendance for this seminar is free for Private Fleets, however you must register to attend as space is limited.
Our 2nd in our seminar series will take place on October 22nd in Mississauga, On, and will include the Medical Marijuana seminar as described above, again presented by Driver Check and Dr. Barry Kurtzer, as well as a Private Fleet Issues roundtable featuring 3 prominent Private Fleet Managers. This session will be monitored by John G Smith. The cost to attend is only $25 for a PMTC Member, and $100 for a non-member.
Our 3rd seminar series will take place on January 13th in Mississauga, from 9 to 11am. At this seminar the MTO will do an in depth presentation and overview on Ontario’s CVOR Program. This seminar will help companies better understand the inner workings of the program, and will help fleets better utilize the CVOR program to manage the safety and compliance of their fleet. Senior MTO officials will also answer questions in an open forum at the conclusion, and address other topical information at the time of the seminar. The cost to attend this seminar will also be $25 for a PMTC member, and $100.00 for a non-member.
Education Funding
The PMTC has recently announced two educational scholarship programs for PMTC members. The Young leaders Education Bursary will provide over $1300.00 in funding for 2 eligible PMTC members, starting with our 2016 conference. The money will fund 2 of the 4 courses needed for students to complete “The PMTC Logistics Management Graduate Program”, which utilizes 4 selected courses from the CITT program of study.
Our 2nd recent funding announcement is called the “PMTC Professional Commercial Motor Vehicle Driver Training Scholarship” Through a partnership with KRTS we will be able to offer, for one qualified PMTC member per year, a fully PTDI and TTSAO certified training curriculum, which will help the student emerge with the skills and confidence necessary to enter the Professional driving field, with a mandatory entry level of training. The cost off the entire training program, will be funded by the PMTC, KRTS and its partners.
Value added member benefits
Over the last few months, the PMTC has added many value added products and services as well, at member only discounted rates, to supplement some of the value added services that were already in place, some examples are TTSAO providing NRCAN Smart driver fuel efficient training to PMTC members MEE (Making Eligibility Easier) making its online driver profile and eligibility program service to PMTC members at preferred rates. OHS insider newsletter provided to PMTC members at significantly reduced rates
PMTC online driver’s academy, powered by Carrier’s edge and KRTS. PMTC member pricing for industry leading online transportation specific training courses.
Reduced pricing for drug and alcohol testing and programs provided by driver check. Soon to be announced PMTC Nationwide driver’s license verification checks, powered by Ver x direct, at special PMTC member prices.
These are just a few of the examples of the benefits being added every day for existing PMTC members. Your association is working hard to ensure we provide value for our member’s every day, and will continue to do so into the future! For more information on the Council, our initiatives, services, or to register for any of our upcoming seminars, please visit www.pmtc.ca, or email Vanessa Cox at info@pmt.ca, or call 905-827-0587.
About the Author
“Mike has 25 years’ of wide ranging experience in the trucking industry, performing such duties as a livestock and grain hauler for 3
years, followed by 5 years of long haul across North America hauling refrigerated and general freight. Mike was also a full time certified driver trainer for 2 years, and then transitioned into Safety and Compliance for 2 years, and then spent over 12 years as a Fleet manager for a Private Fleet. Mike is now the President of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, Canada’s only National Association that represents the views and interest of today’s Private Fleets.” Mike can be reached at trucks@pmtc.ca