In response to the news story, “11 charged in Ontario and Quebec driver training schemes,” published by trucknews.com, the Truck Training Schools Association of Ontario (TTSAO) says that driver training schemes are happening in every province and territory.

Kim Richardson, President of the TTSAO and Co-Chairman of the National Commerical Truck Training Committee, says that this is a major problem that needs to be addressed in Canada’s trucking industry.

“In Ontario (alone), there are over 200 campuses registered with the province, offering commercial truck driver training, and there is very little oversight, enforcement and regulation,” says Richardson. “The Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) and Private Career Colleges (PCC) do not have the bandwidth to properly monitor the schools in our industry. There has to be a better solution and we, the largest association in the country, are actively working to be part of the solution.”

The recent formation of the National Commerical Truck Training Committee, with Richardson positioned as Co- Chair, brings representation on behalf of every province and territory. In tandem, the TTSAO and its members continue to work with all areas of government and industry to address the problem.

Richardson explains that one of the Committee’s objectives is to form a national association of truck driver training schools that will be promoting higher standards, better oversight, and a harmonized compliance structure for all training schools across Canada.

“Although this Committee is in the infancy stages, the group is gathering support from the insurance industry, for hire, truckload and private fleets. The TTSAO and its Board of Directors and members are all 100% behind this group,” says Richardson.