Alberta and Ontario are the first to attempt to crack down on the shoddy entry level training that is being offered across Canada. Other provinces are talking about doing the same. Jim Campbell, Chairman of the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada (PTTAC) says “this is a national problem not a provincial problem. Truck training schools across Canada are popping up in every province and PTTAC is calling on action and looking to help bring solutions to the table. PTTAC was founded on principles to improve road safety through higher standards, better education, and meaningful regulation and enforcement and we support and endorse the first steps of what leaders in provinces are doing by cracking down on the commercial truck training schools business.” The trucking industry and government has turned a blind eye to what has been going on for years and although Mandatory Entry Level Driver Training (MELT) was supposed to improve the quality of training, raise the level of standards for courses and curriculum and many PTTAC members believe there is plenty of evidence and is pretty clear that the plan has not worked, and MELT is melting. We need to take this action across Canada, Enough is Enough. “What we really need nationally is regulation and enforcement. Serious regulation and enforcement. Although PTTAC applauds what some provinces are doing, PTTAC and many other industry stakeholders agree the real problem is lack of enforcement and stiff fines by government to rid the industry of those not following the rules and guidelines they agreed to when approved to offer commercial driver training” added Campbell. PTTAC, which is growing rapidly since launching in 2023, is not only growing with school membership but with carriers and insurance providers are in full enforcement of a serious crackdown. PTTAC has invested heavily over the past year to work with government and industry and the mandate is very clear with specific goals and objectives;
• Professional Commercial Truck Driving being recognized as a skilled trade (Red Seal)
• National approved instructor program(s)
• Access to tuition and funding • Oversight of training facilities
• Harmonized regulation and compliance for all schools in Canada.
PTTAC was at the table in December with other provincial stakeholders in Ontario meeting with the Minister of Transportation in support of increasing regulation and enforcement. PTTAC also met with Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba government and transportation stakeholders having the same discussions. The insurance sector of the trucking industry plays a major role and PTTAC is convening with leading insurance providers. To learn more about PTTAC visit www.pttac.ca and join the movement. For more information contact: Jim Campbell Chairperson jcampbell@pttac.ca 204-391-1200 or Kim Richardson Senior Advisor krichardson@pttac.ca 905-512-0254