October 2008 Volume 19, Issue 10 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com
Election time Fuel taxes emerge as key election issue
exactly jumping for joy about the state of the Saskatchewan economy. He indicates that the boom has not been a boon for this transport company, a 400-truck dry van fleet based in Saskatoon that services all of North America. He says Yanke has
By James Menzies OTTAWA, Ont. – Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced that if re-elected, he will cut the four cent per litre federal excise tax on diesel in half. His Liberal counterpart Stephane Dion, meanwhile, has altered his party’s controversial carbon tax scheme to make it more trucker-friendly. Both announcements came as the federal parties launched their campaigns for the Oct. 14 federal election. Harper’s tax cut would be phased in over four years, the PM announced during a campaign stop in Winnipeg Sept. 9. The tax cut contrasts the federal Liberals’ Green Shift plan, which would increase the federal diesel tax by seven cents per litre over four years. Harper said the Conservative plan would keep the prices of consumer goods in check, while helping the transportation and manufacturing industries. “At a time when Canadians are concerned about affordability, and energy prices are rising, we should be doing what we can to lower prices,” Harper said. “This tax reduction will benefit con-
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THE NEW ALBERTA?: Saskatchewan is thriving, but is the province’s trucking industry reaping the rewards? It all depends – Photo by James Menzies on what sector you’re involved in.
Boom or bust? Saskatchewan’s thriving. Is its trucking industry thriving as well? By Jan Westell – Sask. SASKATOON, thanks Saskatchewan is booming, not only to record high prices for grain, but also with a strong resource sector. Oil and natural gas development and mining for uranium, diamonds and potash, have be-
come an important part of the provincial economy. It’s an economically buoyant place to live and work, but not necessarily for the trucking industry. Bryan Richards, vice-president of business development for the Yanke Group of Companies, is not
Progress report A look at where each heavy-duty engine manufacturer stands in the pursuit of 2010 emissions regulations.
Mark Dalton O/O
Inside This Issue... • Hog wild: An in-depth, five-year study is examining how hogs can be transported humanely and with minimal stress. We Page 10 report on the early findings.
• Dropping the dime: On-road editor Harry Rudolfs struggles with the ethics of reporting a bad driver.
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• Do it for profit:
Times are tough. But Kriska leader Mark Seymour has some advice on how to survive – and maybe Page 34 even thrive – in recessionary times.
• Now what?:
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Owner/operators struggle to find life oustide Page 36 trucking, when they’re forced to call it quits.
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Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau Call Jan Westell at 604-943-1170 or e-mail jan@transportationmedia.ca PM40069240