Hwy. 401 in Toronto.Randall Moore
Dean Del Mastro has allies in the Teamsters Canada in his push to get double tractor-trailers off Ontario's highways. The Teamsters believe the huge, long trucks can be dangerous and even contribute to road rage.
The Conservative MP for Peterborough, meanwhile, has been planning a public awareness campaign called Trains Belong on Tracks to combat the use of these long combination vehicles, or LCVs, on Ontario highways.
The MP says he hasn't met a constituent yet who wants to share the 401 or other highways with these vehicles. He is chairman of the all-party railway caucus on Parliament Hill and argues that moving freight by train is more sensible because it's safer and friendlier to the environment.
His opposition drew the ire of David Bradley, the head of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. He accused Mr. Del Mastro of not having the facts, arguing these LCVs are safe and environmentally friendly.
Enter the Teamsters, who represent more than 10,000 workers in the trucking industry.
The union is opposed to the use of LCVs on Ontario highways, given the high density of traffic and the number of on and off ramps, writes Robert McAulay, the national director of Teamsters Canada's freight and tank haul division, in an open letter to the membership on their website. The letter was released Monday. In other jurisdictions, including Quebec and the Prairies, the Teamsters have no concern, as the traffic is lighter.
In addition to the traffic in Ontario, there are also concerns with the changing speed limit on the highways.
"While cars are travelling at 120 km/h, LCVs are not allowed to exceed 90 km/h and other trucks are limited to 105 km/h.," Mr. McAulay writes. He was a trucker for 30 years.
"Three different speed limits create unsafe lane changes, has the potential to cause obstructed view of road signs and could trigger 'road rage' not to mention keeping inside the 'shift lanes' during highway construction."
Mr. McAulay notes that reducing greenhouse-gas emissions is "commendable" but safety should come first. And the Teamsters cite a study by the U.S. Department of Transportation that shows more fatalities involving LCVs.
The union is arguing for a comprehensive risk assessment.
The Ontario government has been conducting a pilot project on the use of these long, double trucks, which are in use in other provinces and in the U.S.
Mr. Del Mastro is hopeful that the attention that is now being paid to the issue could result in a much broader debate.
"Perhaps the best outcome on LCVs would be open, public consultations in the province ahead of the final decision," he says.