AUTO & TRUCKING ATLANTIC SPRING 2025

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PUBLISHER

Robert Alfers rob@autoatlantic.com

EDITOR

Carter Hammett carter@autoatlantic.com

IT MANAGER

Tyler Graves tyler@autoatlantic.com

ADVERTISING & DESIGN

Jay Bhagat jay@autoatlantic.com

CONTRIBUTORS

Carter Hammett

Sebastien Dorelas

Tim Terry

Zachary Perlmutter

Jeremy Woolward

Kristen Lipscombe

Brian Everett

IMAGES VIA Frankie Crowell, & WingNut Productions Freepik, Pixelbay, iStock

Auto & Trucking Atlantic is published digitally by Robert Alfers. For advertising rates or information regarding Auto & Trucking Atlantic, please call or Email us at: rob@autoatlantic. com. Tel: 902.452.0345

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DEPARTMENTS

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EDITOR’S LETTER - Introducing a rather eclectic issue

THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT - N.F. releases road user’s guide in French. More!

NEWS OF THE WEIRD - Wouldja believe the world’s longest car has 26 wheels and can fit 75 passengers? Neither can we!

WOMEN AND WHEELS - Black women in trucking make a difference everyday. By Brian Everett

ELECTRIC AVENUE - Does Canada have what it takes to be an economic superpower? Maybe our hydrogen knows for sure. Jeremey Woolward inquires.

FEATURES

14 Page 18 Page 20 Page 27 Page 30 Page 12 Page 41 Page 38

PUTTING THE TERROR IN TARIFFS - With the unprecedented threat of tariffs looming over all, what will the impact on Atlantic Canada be? By Carter Hammett

TAXED TO DEATH - For years, Canada and the U.S. have enjoyed a mutually-beneficial partnership with a tightly integrated framework that…,works. Sebastien Dorelas takes a helicopter view and speculates if that framework falls apart.

ATLANTIC RACING SCENE REVS UP INTO 2025 - Back after an extended absence, race car guru Tim Terry previews what promises to be a stellar racing season.

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND - Traffic congestion is a global problem in many urban centers. So what are the solutions? Ontario Premier Doug Ford has an idea so preposterous it just might work. By Zachary Perlmutter

ETC.

FIX NETWORK - Fix Canada President Sylvain Seguin bringing together Canadian collision repair leaders to ensure a fair and sustainable future for every business across country, writes Kristen Lipscombe.

EXPLORING THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM - A special report by Arnott Suspension Products

MOTOR MATTERS - Your quarterly round up of automotive and trucking news across the country.

NAPA AUTO PARTS, LOYALTY EARNED - NAPA Auto Parts opens doors in Saint John west thanks to success of east side location, writes Kristen Lipscombe.

START YOUR ENGINES!

By Carter Hammett

WELCOME TO THE SPRING EDITION OF AUTO AND TRUCKING ATLANTIC.

THIS ISSUE MARKS ONE OF OF THE FEW TIMES IN RECENT YEARS WHERE NO DISCERNABLE THEME HAS EMERGED. ORIGINALLY, WE WERE GOING TO GO WITH TRAFFIC CONGESTION, WHICH IS REALLY A GLOBAL PHENOMENON, BUT THEN THE TARIFFS HIT.

Indeed, Sebastien Dorelas does a great job of breaking the origin of the tariffs down into bite-sized pieces, turning a complicated scenario into something accessible.

His piece is offered as a companion piece to an opinion story written by yours truly, where I focus on the impact of the tariffs on Atlantic Canada. It still boggles the mind that a relationship so interdependent can be blown apart so easily. It brings to mind an oft-spoke adage, that it takes a lot longer to build something than it does to destroy it.

Atlantic Canada’s also the location for our centerpiece story this issue, as we welcome the one-and-only Tim Terry back to the fold. After an extended absence our racing writer is back with pedal to the medal, covering all aspects of racing in the Maritime region, as only he can. Tim’s work is highly respected throughout the Atlantic region and he has become known as the voice of Maritime racing. The title is well-deserved and we’re glad to have him back! You’ll be thrilled to review all of the awesome racing events that are planned for this season.

Less thrilling perhaps, but nonetheless viable, is a story by contributor Zachary Perlmutter. Our man in Ontario does a little digging and comes up with a big story about how Ontario Premier Doug Ford, plans to solve traffic havoc in the Greater

Toronto Area (GTA) by digging a tunnel under Canada’s busiest highway the 401. The project is estimated to take anywhere from 10-to-20 years to complete and will cost billions of dollars…but will it provide an answer to Toronto’s traffic woes?

So if there’s any kind of theme to be offered this issue, let’s call it “eclectic.” Consider it a possible reflection of the craziness happening across North America right now and you’ll see our point. What’s made this writer proud is how passionately Canadians have rallied against Trump’s ridiculous imaginary war on its oldest and biggest trading partner. True, we have been lax at the border, and we can certainly do more to bring our military up to speed, but overall Canada is a respected member on the world stage and we are passionate protectors of our sovereignty. And we love our country!

Update: On April 3, shortly before ATA was going live, Trump announced reciprocal global tariffs on trading partners that caused markets to plunge and disbelief that rocked economies around the world . Compared to countries like Australia, Vietnam and Cambodia, Canada and Mexico emerged relatively unscathed, however those countries remain under previous economy-wide tariffs. As of April 3, and this writing, goods compliant under CUSMA will remain tariff-free but non-compliant goods face tariffs of 25 per cent with a 10 per cent reserved for energy and potash. Previous tariffs on steel and aluminum remain in place.

As for the snugly integrated automotive market, confusion remains. A new 25 per cent duty will be applied to automobile imports. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that Canada won’t simply sit idle and will slap its own 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made vehicles. The Canadian tariffs will only be directly related to vehicles that aren’t compliant with CUSMA and on the “non-Canadian content” in vehicles. Basically, the Canadian response mirrors those of the U.S. framework. While Canada was largely spared, levies will still be applied on products that don’t comply with CUSMA and we’re not out of the woods yet. Trump will potentially add additional levies on semiconductors, copper, lumber and pharmaceutical drugs.

And the guy’s only been in office for three months! What fresh hell can possibly be next?

THE ATLANTIC ROAD REPORT

NEWS AND VIEWS COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE ATLANTIC REGION SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO.

NEWFOUNDLAND

Road user’s guide now available in French

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Driver’s Handbook is now available to the public in both English and French.

The Department of Digital Government and Service NL, through its Office of French Services, continues to build capacity across the Provincial Government to deliver services in French, and to contribute to the development and vitality of the province’s Francophone community.

Both versions of the handbook can be found at: https://www. gov.nl.ca/motorregistration/fr/guide-des-usagers-de-la-route/.

NEW BRUNSWICK

Spring weight restrictions for roads

Spring weight restrictions for truck traffic will take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 10, in southern New Brunswick, and at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, March 17, in northern New Brunswick. Restrictions will continue until Sunday, May 11, in southern New Brunswick and Sunday, May 18, in northern New Brunswick.

“Weight limits are implemented every spring in order to protect our road infrastructure from damage during the annual frost-and-thaw cycle,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson. “This is an annual notice to the trucking community so they may prepare to reduce their loads or plan for alternate routes during this period.”

The duration of the restriction period is determined by monitoring weather conditions and tracking the progress of the thaw, using sensors located around the province. The dates are dependent upon weather conditions and are subject to change.

“I thank all members of the industry for their co-operation and patience while these restrictions are in place each year,” said Chiasson.

For the purpose of these restrictions, northern New Brunswick includes:

• all areas within the counties of Northumberland, Gloucester, Restigouche, Madawaska and Victoria

• the portion of Route 108 within York County

• the portion of Gordon Vale Road and Holtville Road within York County

• the portion of Route 123 within Sunbury County and Queens County

• the portion of Bloomfield Ridge Road between Holtville Road and Route 625

• the portion of Route 625 between Gordon Vale Road and Route 8

NOVA SCOTIA

Province removing ruts on Highway 125 in Cape Breton

The long-standing issue of rutting on a section of Highway 125 will soon be a thing of the past for motorists who travel the busy twinned corridor between Sydney and North Sydney.

The eastbound and westbound lanes, as well as on- and offramps, in a 10.2-kilometre stretch will be repaved this construction season.

“I am aware of the growing concerns about that section of highway, and with safety always top of mind we will issue a tender as soon as possible to solve this problem,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley. “This is an important stretch of highway that Cape Bretoners count on, and they deserve to know this road is well maintained.”

Rutting can form for various reasons, including traffic levels, age of the asphalt, conditions in the base of the road or a combination of items.

A tender will be issued in the spring with a project completion date of late fall.

QUICK FACTS:

• the government has committed $161 million for asphalt and resurfacing of highways and roads this year in the five-year highway plan

• the twinning of Highway 125, which stretches more than 28 kilometres, was completed in 2016

• the road-building industry creates more than 6,000 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs each year in Nova Scotia

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Ensuring long-term predictable public transit funding for the Prince Edward Island capital area with over $2.8 million through the Canada Public Transit Fund

By working closely with its partners across Canada, the federal government is ensuring that more Canadians will be able to live near public transit, connecting them to jobs, services, and their communities.

Through the new Canada Public Transit Fund’s Baseline Funding stream, the T3 Transit municipalities of Charlottetown, Stratford and Cornwall, will receive an annual funding allocation of over $2.8 million over 10 years. Funding will upgrade, replace, or modernize the T3 Transit system’s infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.

This investment, beginning in 2026 until 2036, will help increase the housing supply and affordability as part of complete, transit-oriented communities, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

“Half of Charlottetown’s greenhouse gas emissions come from cars, trucks and other vehicles, making transit expansion essential to achieving our capital region’s climate goals. It’s encouraging to see the federal government recognize that investing in local transit fleets isn’t just good for communities – it’s a crucial step toward meeting Canada’s national climate targets, ” said Philip Brown, Mayor of Charlottetown.

Over 500,000 vehicle parts and products in inventory, all ready for delivery: that’s over 500,000 good reasons to make us your number one partner. napacanada.com

NEWS OF THE WEIRD

FOR ANYONE WONDERING WHAT IT’D BE LIKE IF PHOTOSHOP IMAGES CAME TO LIFE, MEET THIS TOYOTA

Custom cars have a cult following all over the globe, but every so often, one comes along that truly defies expectations—and maybe common sense. According to the listing, this is a 1984 Toyota Supra. If that claim made you do a double or even a triple take, trust me, you’re not alone.

Frankly, there’s nothing about this car that screams “Supra,” or even whispers it.The transformation is so extreme that you’d have a hard time believing it started life as anything Toyota ever built, let alone a Supra. So, let’s break down what exactly we’re looking at and what the internet has to say about this wild creation

Available in Lampung Timur, Indonesia, this car features what is described as a “Toyota Supra replica body”, which we assume somehow justifies listing it as a 1984 Toyota Supra. Honestly though, very little of this car resembles any single generation of the Supra. The headlights are probably the closest thing, particularly to the Mk4, and even they aren’t all

that convincing.

Interestingly, the rear of the car features wide angular hips not unlike an R34 Nissan Skyline. In fact, the car also has tail lights that look just like the R34. Of course, the giant Lexus wordmark under the Lexus badge itself flips the entire equation on its ear. In one of the comments on Facebook, someone claimed that it’s actually based on a 1984 Toyota Corona.If that’s true, the work we see here is even more extreme in terms of cosmetic surgery than it seems. The Corona is about as boxy a car as one can imagine. This amalgamation doesn’t appear to share a single panel or piece of glass that matches the Corona. That’s not to say that it isn’t a Corona, just that if it is, boy did the creator do a ton of work. In any case, we really have no idea what the donor car is.

Source:https://www.carscoops.com/2025/02/ we-promise-this-very-odd-car-is-very -realand-you-can-even-buy-it/

THE WORLD’S LONGEST CAR HAS 26 WHEELS AND CAN FIT UP TO 75 PASSENGERS

Built from six 1976 Cadillac El Dorado limousines, The American Dream is over 30 meters long and has enough interior space to fit up to 75 people. It’s not the easiest vehicle to maneuver, though.

Originally built in 1986 by renowned car collector and customizer, Jay Ohrbeg, The American Dream measured “only” 18.28 meters (60 feet) and was powered by a pair of V8 engines, one at the front and another at the rear. Ohrberg later extended his unique vehicle to a whopping 30.5 meters (100 feet) long. Guinness acknowledged The American Dream as the world’s longest car in 1986, and the giant limousine was featured on the cover of several magazines, on television shows and even in movies, but its meteoric rise to fame was followed by an abrupt drop in popularity. It ended up abandoned at the back of a New Jersey warehouse for decades until a pair of automotive enthusiasts bought it and restored it to its former glory.

SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.ODDITYCENTRAL.COM/ CATEGORY/AUTO

IS THIS THE WEIRDEST VEHICLE YOU’VE EVER SEEN?

Every now and then, a car that has a strange appearance will catch our attention, and make us stare.

The Zeal Motor Fat Truck 2.8 C is one of those vehicles and a model of it will be auctioned, Telegrafi reports.

The Fat Truck was created by a small Canadian manufacturer called Zeal Motor and bears a striking resemblance to the Sherpa vehicle from Russia.

This vehicle is described as an amphibious all-terrain vehicle that is equally capable of being used to access remote job sites and is also used by rescue operations or simply as a recreational vehicle.

Like all other Fat Truck models from Zeal, this one is clad in aluminum body panels and its chassis sits on massive tires that not only help it get into muddy and rocky terrain, but also help for the vehicle to move forward when the road is wet.

HTTPS://TELEGRAFI.COM/EN/IS-THIS-THESTRANGEST-VEHICLE-YOU-HAVE-EVER-SEEN/

MOTORIST FINED $110,000 FOR TAILGATING ON MOTORWAY

A Swiss motorist was fined over $100,000 for driving too close to the car in front of him on the motorway. That’s about double the worth of the car he was driving.

Switzerland is notorious for its strict driving laws and staggering fines. The European country is one of the few where fines are calculated according to the taxable income of the offender, to ensure that they are felt by the poor and rich alike. For example, a fixed $300 fine may bother

someone earning minimum wage, but for a millionaire, it’s like a drop in the ocean. In Switzerland, the wealthier you are, the more you pay, even for minor offenses, which leads to unlikely scenarios where people are fined huge sums of money, sometimes more than what their cars are worth. Case in point, a Swiss lawyer who was fined over $110,000 for driving too close to the car in front of him on a motorway.

SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.ODDITYCENTRAL.COM/ CATEGORY/AUTO#GOOGLE_VIGNETTE

EXPLORING THE AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

A TECHNICAL GUIDE TO ITS KEY COMPONENTS

AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEMS HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY BY OFFERING SUPERIOR COMFORT, ENHANCED HANDLING, AND CUSTOMIZABLE ADAPTABILITY. UNLIKE

TRADITIONAL COILSPRING SUSPENSIONS, AIR-SPRING SUSPENSIONS UTILIZE PRESSURIZED AIR CHAMBERS TO PROVIDE A SMOOTHER, MORE TAILORED RIDE. IN THIS GUIDE, WE WILL EXPLORE

THE KEY COMPONENTS OF AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER TO DELIVER A DYNAMIC DRIVING EXPERIENCE.

KEY COMPONENTS OF AN AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM

AIR STRUTS & SPRINGS

At the core of an air suspension system are the air struts and/or air springs, paired with separate shock absorbers. In a full air suspension setup, each corner—both front and rear—is equipped with either an air strut or a combination of an air spring and shock absorber.

Each air spring features a multi-ply, cross-corded rubber design for durability and long-lasting performance. Stainless steel crimping rings ensure an airtight seal between the rubber sleeve and the upper and lower mounting components. While air springs are subject to wear and tear, they are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and resist constant exposure to dirt and road debris. Air springs have an expected lifespan of 6 to 10 years, depending on usage and environmental conditions.

But how does air suspension work in practice? Well, the struts, springs, and shock absorbers in an air suspension system function similarly to those in conventional coil suspension systems, with one key difference, instead of coil springs, pressurized air springs bear the vehicle’s weight. Shock absorbers work alongside the air springs to control damping and smooth out road impacts. Together, they help the vehicle maintain the right ride height, enhance suspension performance, and adjust seamlessly to different loads.

THE COMPRESSOR

The c/ompressor supplies and regulates the air pressure needed to maintain the air springs at the desired level. Many compressors include an integrated dryer that absorbs moisture from the system. This moisture evaporates due to

the heat generated by the compressor and is expelled into the atmosphere each time the pressure-release valve opens to release excess air pressure.

When height sensors detect that the vehicle has deviated from its preset height, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) activates the compressor. The compressed air flows through the valve block and air hoses to the air springs, adjusting the ride height as necessary. In case the system has a pressure reservoir, the pressure normally comes directly from the reservoir, and the compressor is activated to restore the pressure of the reservoir.

THE VALVE BLOCK

The valve block regulates airflow to control the inflation and deflation of the air springs. It ensures that each air spring receives the correct amount of air, based on input from the ECU. When excess pressure needs to be released, air flows back from the air springs to the valve block, where it is either expelled through a pressure-release valve or stored in a pressure reservoir for later use.

THE PRESSURE RESERVOIR

The pressure reservoir, typically positioned towards the rear of the vehicle, acts as a buffer and storage unit for compressed air. Maintaining a reserve of pressurized air allows for rapid height adjustments while reducing the frequency of compressor activation. This minimizes wear and overheating of the compressor, helping extend the system’s lifespan and improving overall efficiency.

THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU)

The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) serves as the brain of the air suspension system. It processes data from height sensors while monitoring engine speed, acceleration, and system pressure to determine whether the air springs need to be inflated or deflated to achieve the predetermined ride height. The ECU accomplishes this by regulating the solenoid valves within the valve block and activating the compressor to supply the necessary air pressure, ensuring that the suspension dynamically adapts to changing driving conditions.

A common misconception is that the air suspension system continuously inflates or deflates the air springs to adjust for every movement, such as during cornering. In reality, advanced suspension systems incorporate electronically controlled shock absorbers that instantly adjust stiffness. These absorbers adapt to driving conditions, stabilizing the vehicle during turns, braking, or acceleration without the need for constant air adjustments. This results in a more responsive and efficient system that maintains a smooth and controlled ride.

RIDE HEIGHT SENSORS

Mounted between the axle and the chassis—typically at each corner of the vehicle—ride height sensors continuously monitor the vehicle’s position and ride height, transmitting this data to the ECU. When a deviation from the preset ride height is detected, the ECU evaluates whether adjustments are needed. If so, it signals the valve block to implement the pre-calculated height adjustments.

PUTTING THE “ TERROR ” IN TARIFFS

LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS INTO HIS SECOND TERM AS U.S. PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN MAKING UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS AGAINST AMERICA’S BIGGEST TRADING PARTNERS AND THREATENING TARIFFS ON ALL PRODUCTS MADE OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES. WHILE ALL OF THAT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO WREAK ECONOMIC HAVOC, THE IMPACT ON CANADA’S AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY WILL BE NOTHING LESS THAN UNPRECEDENTED.

By Carter Hammett

By the time you read this, content will already be dated. That’s because the big orange monster south of Canada’s border changes tactics almost hourly. The behaviour is designed to keep everyone off-balance and that’s just the way Donald Trump likes it. Create chaos and fear with every statement that passes through his cracked lips then stand back and watch the whole thing unfold.

We’re talking tariffs of course, and as of this writing, March 26, the unsurprising news was dumped on us. All cars made outside of the United States will be subject to a 25% tariff. Earlier in March Trump agreed to a temporary reprieve for autos covered under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement after speaking with reps from Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis NV. During those conversations he urged those three automakers

to transfer production to the U.S. to avoid tariffs. In response to the March 26 announcement, Liberal Party leader Mark Carney pledged a $2 billion ‘strategic response fund” to assist Canadian auto manufacturers and help fortify a supply chain that’s solidly integrated within the North American framework, and which has been under constant threat since Trump took office in January.

But to fully understand the magnitude of damage that threatens the automotive industry, it’s necessary to take a few steps back to see what led to this moment.

Impact on Atlantic Canada

In February, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (CCC) identified St. John N.B. as the most “tariff-vulnerable” city in Canada. Using data from Statistics Canada, the CCC created a United

“CREDIT MUST BE GIVEN TO THE LIBERALS FOR STANDING UP TO TRUMP’S BULLYING AND THREATS AND RESPONDING WITH TARIFFS OF OUR OWN. BUT FIGHTING MADNESS WITH MADNESS WILL ONLY GET US SO FAR. ”

But it’s not just New Brunswick that will be hit. The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour has noted that export-heavy sectors including paper products, Christmas trees and tires could be hit hard, resulting in hundreds of workers out of a job.

Pundits weigh in

Steel and aluminum tariffs of course will only cut more deeply into the auto sector that industry’s connected to. Response from pundits has been swift.

It’s sad news for our industry, which appeared to be coming out of a rough period after being gut punched by inflation in recent years. Indeed, the average price of a new car in Canada jumped 43 per cent between 2019 and 2025. Autotrader states the average cost of a new vehicle in Canada is $64,600. The tariff war could add another estimated $6,000 to that price, an increase of just over 9.2 per cent.

The Canadian Automotive Partnership Council met March 21 and outlined concern for an industry that supports over 1 million Canadian and U.S. jobs and which will ultimately come back to hurt consumers. They further noted that the U.S. imported US $53

billion worth of vehicles and parts while U.S. domestic exports tallied US $55 billion in 2024.

In addition, Canada is the largest international market for the U.S. automotive industry with over 40 per cent of sold vehicles in Canada assembled in the States and about half of the value of Canadian-made vehicles coming from U.S. parts.

Meanwhile the Conference Board of Canada weighed in, noting a substantial drop in consumer confidence while also observing that the labour market had slowed down, suggesting a cautious approach to workforce expansion and hiring activity. It further noted that the economic uncertainty around tariffs has threatened business confidence, especially with export-dependent sectors.

Final thoughts

It should be noted that a flurry of creativity usually emerges from the debris of war–think of the Weimar Republic which produced legends like Lotte Lenya and Kurt Weill, famous for the Threepenny Opera and songs like “Mack the Knife” and flourished between the two world wars. Even today classic movies and theatre are still rising from the ashes of both Vietnam and World War 2. And make no mistake, this is very much a war–a weaponless war, but a war nonetheless–and already creativity is presenting itself in the form of solutions to the onslaught of tariffs that are yet to come.

The Port of St. John has positioned itself as an attractive trade route that can ship your product to Europe in no time at all. The

port already ships over 1.2 million tons of potash annually to Brazil, western Africa, south east Asia and other locales. Other solutions are already in the discovery stages as Canada reassesses its relationship with its largest and oldest trading partner, as we look towards Europe, our second-largest trading partner, which is open to discussing opportunities.

Not only that, but politicians and business are in the embryonic stages of a variety of responses, including diversifying their markets, dissolving or lessening restrictions with interpronesses affected by the storm that’s about to hit us–and the rest

of the world–and, not least, embracing possibilities that come with immigration.

All of this falls of course, in the middle of a federal election which is too early to call. Credit must be given to the Liberals for standing up to Trump’s bullying and threats and responding with tariffs of our own. But fighting madness with madness will only get us so far. The next year is ripe with possibilities and the potential for relationships that are both prosperous and a win for all stakeholders.

It’s time we built on that.

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TAXED TO DEATH:

HOW TARIFFS WILL IMPACT THE CANADIAN AUTOMOTIVE

INDUSTRY

IN 2025

FOR YEARS, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES, HAVE ENJOYED A MUTUALLYREWARDING PARTNERSHIP IN THE MANUFACTURING OF AUTOS THAT’S BEEN ENCASED IN A COMPLEX SUPPLY CHAIN WEB. AND THEN ONE DAY THINGS CHANGED….

By Sebastien Dorelas

Compared to 2024, a year that was marked by an increase of 8.2% in automotive sales1, 2025 is off to a rough start for the automotive sector, Canadians, and the economy. There have been significant political shifts in North America in the past year; Prime Minister Trudeau resigned after almost a decade in power, President Donald J. Trump was re-elected for his second nonconsecutive term, all while inflation and tensions across borders continued to rise. One of Trump’s mandates was to reduce inflation and to bring back blue collar jobs to the country. Within this environment, the Canadian dollar fights to remain competitive with the American greenback. The looming spectre of a recession has made investors extremely cautious. Unemployment and inflation trends are precarious, and the situation isn’t much better for the Canadian automotive industry. When Trump entered the oval office, he imposed new tariffs on Canadian imports as a way to stop the decline of the U.S. economy. But what do tariffs mean for the Canadian automotive industry and how will they impact consumers?

What are tariffs?

Tariffs are taxes which governments place on goods imported from other countries. The importer must pay the tariff to the government. Consequently, these taxes are usually passed on to consumers. As a

result, consumers will see a price increase on their favourite products and services. New tariffs on Canadian imports have had devastating impacts on both economies.

How did we get there?

Tariffs between Canada and the United States have existed for hundreds of years. On February 1, 2025, Trump signed an executive order placing a 25 per cent tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. Canada retaliated with similar tariffs affecting American goods. Two days later, President Trump and Prime Minister Trudeau agreed to a 30-day pause on their respective tariffs, before any of these new tariffs would come into effect. This tug of war between both countries had an immediate effect on financial markets and production in several industries. The new tariffs are part of Trump’s America-First economic strategy. The strategy believes that American production and jobs will increase in the US economy through protectionist measures.

All about the agreements

When it comes to vehicles, Canada, the United States and Mexico have a highly integrated economy in the automotive manufacturing sector. This is partially due to the Canada-United States-Mexico (CUSMA) free trade agreement, which was originally negotiated between the three countries as NAFTA, in 1994. The CUSMA is the revision of NAFTA which was finalized in 2020 during Trump’s first term.

Cars are often assembled across the three countries. For example, Detroit, Michigan, would be one of the hardest American cities to be hit by these tariffs as they are a key trade gateway and their automotive productions are closely linked to some plants in Southern Ontario, according to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce2 Given all the historical and economic factors, you can clearly see why many Canadians are vigorously opposed to new tariffs. Here are three ways these new taxes could affect Canadians negatively.

Trend #1 –increased production costs:

Tariffs are unfavourable to our economy. Canadians will directly experience the impacts of these tariffs at the dealership when it comes to the purchase of a new vehicle. As the automotive industry relies on a complex cross-border supply chain to assemble all the vehicles, transferring parts and other materials across the Canada and the U.S. border can significantly increase production costs. Increased production costs for manufacturers could end up making all Canadian-made vehicles less competitive. The automotive industry is a global market and countries such as China, Japan and South Korea are constantly competing with North American car manufacturers to get their share of the pie.

2 https://chamber.ca/news/tariff-fallout-which-u-s-cities-will-takethe-hardest-hit/

Trend #2

– More tariffs, less investments

New tariffs may become a deterrent for foreign investors in the Canadian automotive market and Canadian-made vehicles may lose their competitive edge. Fewer companies would want to invest in Canadian operations as the instability would bring too many risks. Investors need stability to make significant moves such as opening new plants or expanding existing facilities. The last thing our auto industry needs is less investment. Canada saw a significant surge in investment totalling $46.1 billion thanks to government support for electric vehicles in 2024. Additionally, in October 2024, there were 162,000 vehicles sold in the country. This is an increase of almost 9% in comparison to October 2023. It is thus crucial for our automotive industry to remain competitive to attract new foreign partners that would want to contribute in modernizing our facilities.

Trend #3 – Tariffs kill the competition

New tariffs coincide with less competition. As previously mentioned, Canadian drivers will be the ones paying for these new taxes. This will make the industry fragile. We might see a decline in production which consequently leads to fewer models and options available for Canadians. For instance, Canada’s top selling pick-up truck, The Ford F-Series34, would be the only model available in its category or the Toyota RAV4, or the Honda Civic, Canada’s best-selling car in Canada last year, would be the only car available to consumers. Forget any other models or brands. Imagine the only SUV you could purchase would be the Toyota RAV4. Yes, this SUV is amazing in terms of reliability, safety and fuel efficiency but consumers love to have choices. Canadian drivers love to be able to choose between a car, an SUV or a crossover hybrid model. We often hear the saying “different strokes for different folks.” Similarly, there are different models for different Canadian realities. Even more, the idea of the competition allows our industry to remain competitive while leaning into technology to revolutionize the consumer experiences. Thus, the biggest impact would be on the workforce and their family. According to the Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, our automotive industry impacts more than 550,000 direct and indirect jobs from one ocean to another5 Canadians need these jobs to feed their

3 https://www.scotiabank.com/ca/en/personal/advice-plus/features/ posts.understanding-tariffs-and-how-they-can-affect-your-finances.html

4

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families and to maintain our economy. It is so crucial that our government leaders understand how this could affect the lives of millions of people across our country.

Conclusion

Imposing new tariffs on the Canadian automotive industry would have a considerable negative impact. Despite the threats looming over the auto industry, our economy and our country, Canadians have been expressing their solidarity from coast- to- coast with the “Elbows up” campaign. It encourages Canadians to stand up and fight back with a new sense of patriotism. While our neighbouring nations are entering a new era with this latest economical and political clash, history suggests they should instead focus on what unites them. After all, we share the longest border in the world, and we need each other to allow our economy to succeed and prosper.

Sebastien Dorelas is a media specialist with 12+ years in digital content and storytelling. He holds a BA from Concordia and two Humber College certificates.

“...CANADIAN DRIVERS WILL BE THE ONES PAYING FOR THESE NEW TAXES.”

ATLANTIC RACING SCENE REVS UP

INTO 2025

THE CHEQUERED FLAG HASN’T EVEN DROPPED YET, AND ALREADY ANTICIPATION IS IN THE AIR FOR A MARITIME SUMMER TRADITION…. PEOPLE START YOUR ENGINES!

By Tim Terry

As always seems to be the case, a busy winter behind the scenes has led to a highly anticipated 2025 racing season in Atlantic Canada. Racing teams have been in their shops around the region and promoters along with their teams have been working around the clock to have the stage set for their racing stars to have a place to race. The 2024 season gave us several first time winners; champions, new drivers etching their names into history and rookies scratching to try and make a name for themselves amongst the cagey veterans. Needless to say, whether you’re in New Brunswick or Newfoundland, Charlottetown or Tusket, there is a race track within a short drive in Atlantic Canada and the drivers there are ready to entertain and put on a fast- paced, high- octane event. Here’s an overview of where you can go to get your racing fix and what you can expect in 2025!

NOVA SCOTIA

Scotia Speedworld – Enfield, N.S.

The 2025 Schedule: On the surface, most things remain the same at the only weekly operating race track in Atlantic Canada, with some minor changes. The biggest scheduling change comes in the way of the Fort Garry Industries Maritime Pro Stock Tour opening a week later in 2025, taking to the track for their season opener in Halifax on Saturday, May 24th. They return four times in 2025, capped on Saturday, September 20th with the 200-lap season finale where the champion of the Series will be crowned and get the $15,000 cheque. The popular Summer Clash 250 presented by Superior Foundations and Atlantic Tiltload weekend returns August 7-9 and is a weekend you will want to put on your calendar.

The Bay Equipment Rentals Weekly Racing Series returns to Friday nights be-

ginning on May 23rd after their Saturday season opener on May 17th. The Sportsman, Legend, Mini Stock and Bandolero divisions return with the addition of two classes on a two- night schedule. The Pro Stocks will run two 75-lap features on July 4th and August 22nd. Joining the Pro Stocks on July 4th is the Enduro division, an affordable class designed for drivers to get lots of laps and hope to survive to the end of 100-laps. A second Enduro race will run on Friday, September 5th.

Several special events and touring series, including the Fort Garry Industries Pro Stock Tour, Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour, the Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics, Maritime All Stars Series, Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip and the Street Stocks, are also sprinkled throughout the schedule. The World Series of Monster Trucks take to the track on July 25th through the 27th.

PHOTOS VIA FRANKIE CROWELL, & WINGNUT PRODUCTIONS

The season concludes with the Third Annual Halifax 300 on Saturday, September 27th.

2024 Highlights: The Bay Equipment Rentals Weekly Racing Series saw a few first time champions, a returning face that spanked the rising stars and a veteran returning for a second straight time to the top of their class. Shelby Chisholm (Beginners), Bella Pashkoski (Bandoleros) and Ayden Christensen (Legends) took their first championships in class. For Chisholm and Pashkoski, it was their first while Christensen is a former Bandoelro champion. Of note, Christensen finished third in the International points in the SemiPro division for Legend cars, with a majority of his point paying wins coming at Scotia Speedworld.

Ross Moore took the Mini Stock championship for the second straight year in his red No. 84 Cavalier. Russell Smith Sr. originally came out of retirement to race with his son Deven in the Sportsman class, but would wind up racing all season and taking home the division title at his home track.

RIVERSIDE INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY

– James River, N.S.

The high banked oval outside of Antigonish will host several special events once again in 2025. The NASCAR Canada Series will return on June 28th to open 2025 at Riverside International Speedway alongside the Fort Garry Industries Maritime Pro Stock Tour.

The iconic IWK 250 Super Race Weekend runs from July 16th to 19th with the marquee IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis anchoring the weekend on the Saturday. The Maritime All Stars Series and Cross Road Maritime League of Legends Tour will serve as the opening racing rounds on July 18th.

BUD’S SPEEDWAY

– Sydney, N.S.

August 16th will see the final stop of the FGI Pro Stock Tour for the season while also introducing Bandoleros to the high banks for the first time in track history. The season concludes with the Sportsman headlining the card on Saturday, September 6th.

Bud’s Speedway keeps the momentum rolling with a seven- date schedule in 2025 over six weekends. The season opens on Saturday, June 14th, includes two Wednesday night specials including the Mallard Electric Hobby Stock Dash for Cash on Wednesday, August 13th, and concludes with the Fourth Annual Caper Memorial Weekend on Friday, October 17th and Saturday, October 18th.

The Street Stock, Mini Stock, V6 Thunder, Hobby Stock and Bandolero divisions will comprise the roster of house divisions at the Grand Lake Road bullring. The Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics powered by Kimco and the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip will cross the causeway for a Caper Memorial appearance on Saturday, October 18th.

Improvements continue to be made to the facility, which was built by Bud Greer in 1975. A new beer garden and seating area around Turns Three and Four is the main capital project planned for the facility after pit area upgrades were completed in 2024.

2024 Champions: Dyllan Farrell led the way at Bud’s in 2024 by capturing the Klondike Kid Fisheries Street Stock championship as a rookie driver, the first time the feat had been done in 41 years since Farrell’s crew chief Stephen Bennett won the class as a rookie. Kody Quinn captured another Saf-way Auto Parts Mini Stock title, Dave Timmons added another championship to his resume with his first Mallard Electric Hobby Stock crown while Addison Veinotte raced away with the GWL Trucking & Landscaping Bandolero championship. In the most exciting battle for a Bud’s championship in 2024, Dan Webb edged out Austin Petipas on the Caper Memorial weekend for the Bendle’s Home Improvements V6 win.

will honor Bev Roberts. The race also features a 50-lap Four Cylinder race in honor of Freeman D’Entremont, who suddenly passed away in February.

The bi-weekly series presented by Pador Seafoods includes racing in the Sportsman, V8 Stock and Four Cylinder classes. A 100-lap Sportsman special is scheduled for July 27th and the season finale weekend takes place on Saturday, September 20th and Sunday, September 21st with a double header of action.

2024 Champions: Kyle Hines took home his fifth BMC Seafoods Late Model Sportsman championship on the model of consistency and finishing races throughout the 2024 season. “Mr. Saturday Night” was joined by Shaun Burke (Tusket Ford Towing V8 Stock) and Michael Cameron (Bishara’s Garage Four Cylinder) as SWSCA champions in 2024.

VALLEY RACEWAY

– Melvern Square, N.S.

The Annapolis Valley’s only dirt oval track will contest nine point races plus their annual “King of the Dirt” Season Finale in 2025. The season begins on Mother’s Day Weekend on Sunday, May 11th at 1pm and runs every two weeks. The point championship concludes on Labour Day

NEW BRUNSWICK

PETTY INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY

– River Glade, N.B .

There is no shortage of racing at Petty International Raceway in 2025. The track kicks off their season with a two-day opener on Victoria Day Weekend. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series will return twice, the FGI Pro Stock Tour takes to the track on June 7th for their one and only stop and the season caps with the three day Mike Stevens Memorial Weekend from September 11th to 13th.

The house divisions include Late Model Sportsman, Outlaw Late Model, Street Stock, Mini Stock and Bandolero. The Atlantic Modified Tour will hit the track at least thrice this year, the Legends division will see a four race Crown Jewel Series along with their three day Canada/ US INEX Challenge from July 25th to 27th. Two Endurance races, two Bomber class races, Kid Electric Car and a Demolition also are scattered throughout the year.

Hard to follow? We get it. Their schedule is subject to change – it is best to check out PettyRaceway.com for the up-

dated schedule as parts tend to move throughout the year.

2024 Champions: Petty International Raceway crowned track champions in six classes in 2024. Andrew O’Connor (Beginner Bandoleros), Hudson Ruff (Bandolero), Makayla Weagle (Women on Wheels), Mike Weagle (Mini Stock) and Michael Cormier (Street Stock) raced to track titles last season. Koven Lewis won the combined Sportsman championship between Petty Raceway and Speedway 660.

RIVER GLADE

SPEEDWAY – River Glade, N.B.

In the biggest racing story of 2024, Gary McLean and the McLean family, were able to open River Glade Speedway to celebrate its 60th Anniversary last August. The one-off successful event has spawned at least one race in 2025. The Ernie McLean Memorial Weekend will take place on Saturday, July 12th and Sunday, July 13th. The event will feature some big money for the Late Model Sportsman and Street Stock divisions on the weekend and will include action in Four Cylinders, the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip and more to be announced. For the Bandoleros, this is the first time in the 61 year history of the track that the class will compete at the track.

SPEEDWAY 660

– Geary, N.B.

While a current 2025 schedule was not available as of press time for Speedway 660, the calendar is expected to look similar to the 2024 season. The track, which opened in 1994, will see racing in the Pro

der Modified title.

Stock, Sportsman, Street Stock, Four Cylinder “Sharp Shooters” and Modified divisions on a regular basis. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series will race twice at Speedway 660 in 2025, including the Riverview Ford Lincoln Season Opener on Saturday, May 10th.

SpeedWeekend takes place once again on Labour Day Weekend, anchored by a 250-lap Pro Stock event on Sunday, August 31st. Ashton Tucker took the checkered flag in the race last year, which featured NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion Ben Rhodes in the field.

The Ricky Bobby Street Stock 150 presented by McCoy’s Auto Repair returns on Saturday, June 28th. Billed as the biggest Street Stock race in Canada, the event boasts a purse of tens of thousands of dollars and is run in memory of Rick Arbeau.

When their schedule is finalized, you can find it at Speedway660.com.

2024 Champions: Four track champions etched their name into history in 2024 as track champions. Ian Rasmussen from New Denmark followed in his father Glenn’s footsteps and is now a Pro Stock champion at the track. BJ Gillespie put another Sharp Shooter title on his resume in dominating fashion. Riley Goodwin captured the Street Stock title, while Doug Matchett was crowned the first track champion in the Modified division. While Richard Atkinson scored the most track points in the Sportsman class, there was no local champion crowned.

Speedway Miramichi has not released a schedule at press time. The Shediac CENTRE For Speed has not released details on their schedule as of press time.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND OYSTER BED

SPEEDWAY

– Oyster Bed Bridge, P.E.I.

A dozen races are planned for the only paved oval track on Prince Edward Island. Oyster Bed Speedway opens their gates on Sunday, May 18th for their Season Opener and Demolition Derby. Anchoring the house division include the Bandolero, Mini Stock, Outlaw Four Cylinder and Street Stock classes. The Bomber and Legend divisions will see more races in 2025.

Several Maritime Touring Series will head across the Confederation Bridge in 2025. The Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series and FGI Pro Stock Tour will each race twice at the track this season, including a season finale on September 6th that includes the penultimate round for the Pro Stock Tour, the Piston Cup Street Stock 100 and the second Island stop for the Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour. In addition, the Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics powered by Kimco (August 2nd) and the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip (September 1st) will make appearances at the high banked oval in 2025.

2024 Champions: In a thrilling, come from behind rally on the final day of the season, Brandon Albert captured the Gautier’s Auto Repair Street Stock title from fan favorite Randy Millar, who struggled to put the final race together in October. Rookie Brandon Forsyth was the champion in the Moore’s Well Drilling Outlaw division. Cash Bridges raced to the Chris’s Bobcat Services Mini Stock title. Hudson Linzel-Waddell (Beginner) and Landon Pierce (Bandolero) took home Reliable Motors Bandolero championships. The Bomber division crowned a track champion in Ryan Cormier.

NEWFOUNDLAND EASTBOUND PARK

– Avondale, N.F.

The only NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series track in Atlantic Canada is gearing up for another busy season, their 11th in operation as Eastbound Park. The year on the oval kicks off on the Victoria Day Long Weekend and will see eight races throughout the year, capping the year off on the September 20th and 21st weekend on the oval with the popular Hillbilly Fest featuring Demolition Derby, Tough Trucks and more the next weekend.

Four divisions call the Avondale track home, including the NASCAR Sanctioned

Late Model Sportsman and Four Cylinder Hobby Stocks and the INEX sanctioned Legends and Bandoleros.

A full schedule for both the oval and drag strip, was not available at press time and can be found at EastboundPark.com when available.

2024 Champions: While he says he’s nearing the end of his racing career, “the Flamin’ Bayman” still has it as Wayne Walsh captured another Late Model Sportsman title at the track. “Fireball” Roger Ryan was the Hobby Stock champion. Parker Young took home the Bandolero championship. Noah Healey, in a Canadian Legend Cars prepared car, raced to the Legend title, scoring all but one feature win on the year.

Touring Series

FORT GARRY INDUSTRIES MARITIME PRO

STOCK TOUR

A new title sponsor and a repeat trip to Oyster Bed Speedway highlight the changes on the FGI Pro Stock Tour for 2025.

The Tour will contest ten races, still opening and closing the book at Scotia Speedworld on May 24th and September 20th. The track will host two additional races, including the Summer Clash 250 presented by Superior Foundations and Atlantic Tiltload on Saturday, August 9th. Riverside International Speedway will welcome the Tour thrice, including the IWK 250 presented by Steve Lewis on Saturday, July 19th.

Petty International Raceway will host the second round of the Tour on Saturday, June 7th. Oyster Bed Speedway will not only host their July race on Saturday, July 26th but the Tour will return for another voyage across the Northumberland Strait on Saturday, September 6th for the penultimate round of 2025.

A full schedule can be found at MaritimeProStockTour.com.

The 2024 champion was Jarrett Butcher on the strength of three feature victories at three different tracks, including his first at Petty International Raceway in October and a thriller in the season opener at Speedway 660. He bested Austin MacDonald and top rookie Gage Gilby in the final standings.

EASY-KLEEN SUPER LATE MODEL SERIES

Entering their third year of competition, the Easy-Kleen Super Late Model Series keeps its six race schedule between Speedway 660, Petty International Raceway and Oyster Bed Speedway. The opening three rounds will see traditional 150-lap feature lengths with the back end of the schedule seeing extended distance races and some unique race formats.

The Series opens on May 10th at Speedway 660 and concludes on the River Glade International Weekend at Petty International Raceway on Saturday, August 23rd. A complete schedule and race formats are available at SLMS.ca.

In 2024, the point championship ended in a tie between two of the region’s top stars, Ashton Tucker and Cory Hall. Tucker would win his first championship with the series on a tiebreaker, winning four of the races on the year compared to Hall’s two.

CROSS ROADS MARITIME LEAGUE OF LEGENDS TOUR

The Legend division continues to grow in the Maritimes. The Cross Roads Maritime League of Legends Tour is seeing healthy car counts at every event and features a healthy mix of up and coming talents working their way through the ranks of racing and veterans who have called this division home.

The schedule sees ten races again in 2025, many of them at the end of the season, which will create a championship drive like no other for these teams. The Series will contest races at Scotia Speedworld, Riverside International Speedway, Petty International Raceway, Oyster Bed Speedway and Speedway 660.

Ayden Christensen took home the Tour championship in 2024, helping him make a bid for the International Semi-Pro championship last season.

For the complete schedule, head over to MaritimeLegends.ca.

HEART OF A CHAMPION HOT ROD CLASSICS POWERED BY KIMCO

The Heart of a Champion Hot Rod Classics Powered by Kimco will continue to make memories and bring fans back in

2025 with an eight race schedule at seven area tracks. The season begins at June 7th at Petty International Raceway and will return on September 13th before heading to Bud’s Speedway in Sydney, Nova Scotia on October 18th. In between, the Series will visit Lake Doucette Motor Speedway, River Glade Speedway, Oyster Bed Speedway, Scotia Speedworld and Riverside International Speedway.

Featuring drivers from all four Atlantic Provinces, the gentleman’s series is one that will thrill both the young and young at heart. For a complete schedule, please visit HeartofaChampion.com.

TIM’S CORNER MOTORSPORTS BANDOLERO ROAD TRIP

In 2024, the Tim’s Corner Motorsports Bandolero Road Trip was formed after an expansion of the popular Tim’s Corner Motorsports September Shootout at Oyster Bed Speedway.

This year, the rising stars of our sport will visit River Glade Speedway for the first time on the Ernie McLean Memorial Weekend on July 12th and 13th. The Oyster Bed Speedway race returns on Monday, September 1st. Second trips to Nova Scotia’s Scotia Speedworld on September 21st and Bud’s Speedway on October 18th will anchor the back end of the four weekend schedule. The Battle by the Bay presented by Mallard Electric in 2024 saw a purse of almost $5,000 go to the Bandolero teams that travelled to Cape Breton Island with a record 14 cars taking the green flag.

ATLANTIC MODIFIED TOUR

A full 2025 schedule was not available as of press time, but their new year is expected to be much of the same from last year and include a New Brunswick tour of Speedway 660, Petty International Raceway, Speedway Miramichi and River Glade Speedway. The 2024 Tour championship was won by Chris Wilson of South Esk, New Brunswick.

AUTO WORLD

MARITIME ALL STARS SPORTSMAN SERIES

The Maritime All Stars Series Sportsman division sees a condensed five race schedule between three tracks. The Series kicks off on May 24th at Scotia Speedworld, heads to Petty International Raceway on June 14th before heading back to Scotia Speedworld the next week. Riverside International Speedway will host the track on the IWK 250 weekend on July 18th and the season finale on September 6th.

Dylan Dowe is a two-time Series champion after taking home the 2024 championship.

We hope to see you at a track this Summer to cheer on your hometown heroes and weekend warriors of motorsports.

Until next time, keep the hammer down and we’ll see you at the track!

NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND

EVERY DAY THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS ACROSS THE GREATER TORONTO AREA (GTA) EXPERIENCE THE SAME CRAWL TO AND FROM WORK. LIKE OTHER MAJOR CANADIAN URBAN CENTERS, TRAFFIC CONGESTION REMAINS A HUGE PROBLEM. RECENTLY ONTARIO

PREMIER DOUG FORD PROPOSED A CONTROVERSIAL SOLUTION: DIGGING A TUNNEL UNDER THE 401.

By Zachary Perlmutter

By now it’s no secret that Canada’s urban centers have a huge traffic congestion problem. In fact, this is a global issue, and while Canadians come nowhere close to experiencing some of the congestion problems that other cities like New York and or Instanbul, Canadian commuting times nonetheless present a huge issue in terms of both time and money lost.

Traffic watchdog TomTom created a scorecard last year for commuting times and believe it or not Halifax ranked quite high on that list. While a Haligonian’s average commute time is about 23 minutes, at the end of the year, 83 hours have literally been lost stuck in traffic. If this sounds like a lot, compare these stats to other major urban Canadian centers.

Vancouver for example, clocks in Vancouver at 27 minutes with 35% congestion, resulting in 86 hours lost per year sitting in traffic, while Montreal’s time isn’t much better.

But by far one of the worst cities for traffic congestion is by no means a sur-

prise. Toronto ranked first on the list with 25 minutes and 13 seconds per 10km. Depending on which source you consult, Torontonians lose an average of either 77 or 83 hours per year.

Drivers site three main causes for traffic congestion: ongoing construction, lack of infrastructure and activities requiring road closures (think, fundraisers, bike and music festivals, etc)

So the question becomes, what’s the solution to these issues? Let’s look at one ongoing issue in Canada’s largest city.

The issue of congestion on the Hwy. 401 in Toronto, Ontario has been a contentious one for years. Highway congestion isn’t a new issue for big cities in Canada, but ON’s situation specifically has been pegged by The Financial Post as a nearly-$13 billion problem in 2024, and Moovit has clocked the average commuting time in Toronto at 56 minutes. Additionally, whether it’s alleviating traffic on the highway, or simply making the overall driving experience smoother, the general consensus of ON’s different political par-

ties is that something needs to be done to make the wheels run smoother. However, the attitudes over resolving this problem are what separate them, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the proposed tunnel underneath the highway that the premier, and his leading party, has suggested. There are plenty of thought pieces and editorials that’ve been written on this, but perhaps it’s more important to understand what’s at stake with the tunnel financially and time-wise.

First, there’s the estimated cost of this tunnel. Premier Doug Ford and his Ontario Progressive Conservative advisors have pegged construction costs at around $100 billion. This is already a pretty big number on its own, and Ford has argued that it’d be worth it to save $11 billion in annual losses to the economy, but critics and analysts have suggested that true estimates could be closer to $130 billion. This is assuming there aren’t any unforeseen delays, tariff costs or errors in construction, which could swell the budget even further. Considering that there were mas-

sive delays on Toronto’s Light Rail Transit extension for years, all of which added to that project’s final cost of over $13 billion, surprises aren’t out of the question.

And second, the timeline for this tunnel. Again, Ford has suggested that this tunnel project could take roughly a decade to complete, assuming all goes well. However, as with cost estimates, critics and analysts have suggested that it could take closer to two decades to complete, and that any possible administration changes in those 20 years could impact whether that’s even feasible. This is especially true considering that Ford’s opposition in the 2025 election, most-notably NDP leader Marit Stiles, had suggested that the 401 tunnel project was a waste of time, and that the lost money from congestion could be better recuperated by removing tolls from the Hwy. 407, which is largely underused by Ontarians for that exact reason. This could become even more contentious should another future election change the province’s outcome politically over the next few decades.

That having been said, there have been merits touted for this tunnel by Ford and his government. Not only would it alleviate congestion if built properly, it’d save commuting time and give people options for travelling to and from work. It

could also help trucks with delivering goods across the province, something that’s been a common complaint with truckers with the current 401 layout for many years. Considering how the 401 has frequently been criticized for being clogged with delivery trucks by commuters, Ford has suggested that having an underground tunnel could potentially give them an extra route and save time and money. These are definitely arguments to make in favour of a tunnel underneath the 401, assuming everything goes according to plan. So while it definitely has its share of detractors, it also has its share of defenders.

The inevitable question, however, is if these pros outweigh the cons. Considering that The Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review put ON at a projected deficit of $6.6 billion for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, whether or not it’s worthwhile to spend money on this tunnel is definitely a weighty question. It’s not like tunnels of this nature can’t be done-the Southside Tunnels in St. John’s, N.F. operated for centuries to help ships get between the mainland and the island, even though no information remains about their building cost. Yet whether it’s sustainable in the current time, what with issues like tariffs and production delays, will be the real challenge. Especially given ON’s situation with traffic and population growth relative to the rest of the country, as the province has projected an increase in three million more residents by 2051. With all of this in mind, a solution to the city’s congestion issue will have to be proposed at some point, whether by removing tolls or building this tunnel under the 401. How it’ll happen remains up to ON’s politicians, as well as voters who have the real power at the end of the day.

SYLVAIN SEGUIN

FIX NETWORK CANADA PRESIDENT

FROM AUTO TECHNICIAN TO NATIONAL INDUSTRY LEADER:

FIX CANADA PRESIDENT SYLVAIN SEGUIN BRINGING TOGETHER CANADIAN COLLISION REPAIR LEADERS TO ENSURE A FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR EVERY BUSINESS ACROSS COUNTRY

By Kristen Lipscombe

For Fix Network Canada President Sylvain Seguin, “It’s always good to be able to give back to an industry that’s been very good to me.”

That’s why Seguin, who started off in the automotive industry some 14 plus years ago as a technician and has always loved his job working with vehicles to ensure that those behind the wheel are safe and secure, is thrilled to take on his new – and additional – role of Chair of the 2025 Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF), which is “powered by” the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA)

“This prestigious role underscores Séguin’s dedication to advancing the Canadian collision repair industry through collaboration, innovation, and collective advancement,” the official news release reads.

Seguin took on this important national position as of this past February, with his first event at the helm of CCIF held March 19 and 20 in Toronto, Ont. The event is described as “the largest gathering of collision industry stakeholders in Canada,” according to the organization’s website, and falls under the larger Canadian Auto Care Industry Conference (CAIC) umbrella.

“Everyone who is anyone in the collision sector — collision repairers, insurers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers and service providers — (were) brought together under one roof in Toronto to connect, learn vital industry insights, and view the latest innovations at the CCIF vendor showcase,” the CCIF website says.

“Key industry stakeholders from both mechanical and collision sectors gathered to connect and discuss the industry’s trends and challenges.”

Seguin explains that as President of Fix Network Canada, which is not just a

member of but also sponsors the CCIF, he knew that after about three years of serving on the group’s steering committee, that he’d be next in line to take on the chair position for a total of two years. And when he’s completed his term as chair, he’ll then take on the role of past chair for another two years to ensure a smooth transition for the entire steering committee.

“The steering committee is basically built with representatives from insurance, from OES (original equipment suppliers), from manufacturers, from shops,” Seguin explained recently to Auto and Trucking Atlantic, from Fix Canada’s office in Burlington. “So my job, literally, is to gather the best possible people (from across the country) to be part of the steering committee.”

And he’s ready for all the extra responsibility the role will require, including building and ensuring the sustainability of the CCIF’s steering committee, above and beyond his current commitments to ensuring Canada maintains the high-quality goals of the global Fix Network, which states its “redefining the standards of the collision repair industry.”

“At Fix Network, customer satisfaction is our main priority,” the company says. “We partner with major insurance providers to offer hassle-free claims management. Each auto body shop provides consistent, professional auto repair services, including standardized estimates, state-ofthe-art equipment and friendly staff. With Fix Auto’s and ProColor’s trained and certified collision repair and service specialists, you’re in capable hands.”

The recent CCIF event in March marks the first time that AIA Canada and CCIF united for such a large event under one roof, Seguin told Auto and Trucking Atlantic, with close to 800 people from across

the mechanical and collision industry sectors attending the precedent-setting Toronto gathering, which included a vendor showcase, networking reception and several educational presentations covering key topics to ensure a successful future for all stakeholders.

Highlights included a talk from Jim Bethune of Bethune Consulting Services, who chatted about how businesses can truly streamline processes, reduce costs and increase profitability; a panel discussion led by Saskatchewan Association of Automative Repairers (SAAR) executive director Tim Bissonnette and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) vicepresident of claims Ryan Smith, who discussed collaboration within the collision repair industry; and break-out sessions such as The impact of vehicle technology advancements in collision repair, The human element: Harnessing the power of human nature to drive better team productivity and Building the Future: The Next Generation of Collision Repair Technicians.

Other topics of discussion included post-collision inspections and maintaining repair quality, led by I-CAR Canada and AIA Canada executive director Stuart Klein, and the inevitable role that artificial intelligence (AI) will play in the repair process and how businesses can leverage AI to improve profits and customer experience, led by BodyShop Booster CEO Ryan Taylor.

“There was a focus on how do we recruit and how do we bring back talent in this industry,” Seguin added to the highlights shared on the CCIF website

“There was a really good panel that was discussing foreign technicians and the challenges, the new rules applied to them, which makes it a little more complex,” Seguin said. “I think, overall, there

was a lot of good insight that that could be basically linked one to the other, so it was it was interesting.”

Seguin said another important topic of conversation on the collision side was ensuring sustainability within the industry.

“We’re giving an essential service,” he said. “So we need to make sure that we’re there to fix the cars of tomorrow in a safe manner and in order to do that, we need to be able to reinvest in equipment and training… and the latest technology.’

It’s all about maintaining the highest industry standards across the country, Seguin said, which means putting everyone on a level playing field in terms of certifications required and policies followed at all shops, whether big or small, across the country,

“The industry needs to mobilize to create that standard, which will help,” he said. “It’s highly important that technicians are trained and equipped to fix cars, but these services have to be available at a decent price too, right?”

“Again, we’re talking about sustainability and profitability,” Seguin said.

And of course, there was plenty of tar-

iff talk over the course of the weekend as well, Seguin said, adding “not everybody is 100 per cent sure what the impact will be, but there was a lot of conversation about what can we do as an industry to mitigate costs.”

“As an industry, we need to be able to make sure that we’re going to focus on, ‘where we do have control?’ “ he explained. “Because we all know that parts will be impacted.”

“But the industry is well educated,” Seguin added. “They understand the issue, and I think everybody’s willing to do their best and basically focus on what they have control on…”

“Are we going to be able to source things within Canada? Are we looking at other countries?” “There’s going to be, in my opinion, a lot of impact in in the entire supply chain, but everybody will be doing their best.”

Overall, the CCIF event received “a lot of positive feedback,” Seguin said. “It’s always very well attended.”

The next CCIF is scheduled for Sept. 17 and Sept. 18 in Calgary, Alta. And will cover another array of “hot industry top-

ics,” according to its promotional material. “Register now to attend to stay ahead of the curve and continue learning about the future of the industry.”

In total, there are three CCIF events like this held annually, Seguin explained, and it continues to grow rapidly as “the AIA wants to build and make it the aftermarket reunion of the year in Canada.”

In speaking in depth with Seguin, , it’s clear that he’s committed to making the most of his time as CCIF chair by focusing on creating and improving industry standards at all levels.

“I want to give my time, and I want to do the best I can,” which includes building a non-biased steering committee that will focus on a sustainable future for businesses from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

“I’m not there to promote my brand,” he explained, and nor should any other CCIF representative. “I’m there for the industry.”

“So, I think if we just do that; if we just push and make sure that we advance without having a (personal) agenda, I think it will help drastically,” he said, adding he didn’t wear Fix Network Canada

swag at the conference because the independence and objectivity of the committee is what matters most.

“The objective to take out the competition and talk about what’s best for the industry as a whole, and coming together as a team rather than trying to sell to each other or compete with each other.”

Circling back to why he does what he does, Seguin said he always loved being a technician, a joy that was kick-started by working on cars with his father and brother during the summer months. His father, who has since passed on, ran a shop in Montreal for many years, so his career path certainly came naturally. Seguin hopes more young people will consider the automotive industry as a potential career choice.

“The more people who get involved and speak about this industry, the more we’re going to be able to attract young talent,” Seguin said, adding that enthusiasm he felt as a youngster and attracting more skilled workers are pivotal to ensuring the healthy growth of the industry.

“This opportunity is not just a position for me; it represents a critical moment

for collaboration and progress within the Canadian collision repair sector,” Seguin said in the official CCIF news release announcing his new role.

“As Chair, my foremost responsibility will be to from a Steering Committee composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and expertise. Together, we will build a strategic agenda to identify emerging trends and seize future opportunities.”

Learn more about the Canadian Collision Industry Forum

Kristen is a freelance journalist and communications specialist with more than 20 years of experience locally, provincially, nationally and even internationally. She believes that everyone has a story and loves helping others tell them. She’s a writer at heart.

WOMEN AND WHEELS

BLACK WOMEN IN TRUCKING MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERY DAY

EVERY YEAR, BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS AN OCCASION TO CELEBRATE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SO MANY BLACK AMERICANS WHO HAVE INDELIBLY SHAPED OUR NATION’S HISTORY.

By Brian Everett

Black Americans have been among the country’s most consequential leaders shaping the cultural and political destiny of the United States in profound ways. American heroes such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Thomas Sowell, Justice Clarence Thomas, and countless others represent what is best in America and her citizens.

THE LEGACY & ACHIEVEMENTS OF TALENTED BLACK FEMALES IN TRUCKING

The Women In Trucking Association recognizes some of the first Black innovators who played a significant role in early trucking years:

Lois Cooper (1931-2014) was the first female African American transportation engineer to be hired by what is now known as the California Department of Transportation.

Garrett Morgan (1877-1963) patented the three-position traffic signal. A practical man of humble beginnings, Morgan devoted his life to creating items that made the lives of common people safer and more convenient.

Frederick Mckinley Jones (1893-1961) was a black inventor and entrepreneur best known for his development of portable refrigeration equipment used to transport food, blood, and medicine during World War II. He patented the world’s first successful refrigerated transportation system.

Luella Bates (1897-1985) is believed to be the first Black female professional truck driver. She made a name for herself by breaking barriers and overcoming stereotypes. She started her career as an elementary school teacher but left to work in a factory during World War I, as many women at the time did.

Meet Yuma Haidara from Manchester, New Hampshire. As a member of the WIT Image Team, which is comprised of individuals who are knowledgeable, passionate and positive subject matter experts, Haidara is an over-the-road commercial truck driver for Walmart Transportation. She has been on the road

for several years. In that time, she has become a mentor and a Certified Driver.

Her actions constantly fight the norm of a truckers’ lifestyle by falling in love with activities that keep her moving. She’s a Seabee Combat Veteran, who has done multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. A marathon runner, avid hiker, entrepreneur, traveler, and loves seeking new adventures.

She is passionate about helping others and speaking about mental health in the Veteran community. She’s an active board member and participant in numerous Veteran non-profit organizations. Haidara truly believes in love and how it has shaped her into who she is today despite all life’s obstacles

Another member of the WIT Image Team is Wyzeena Heeny, a professional driver with more than 20 years of driving experience with Covenant Logistics out of Chattanooga, TN. She’s been a Road Team Captain for the Tennessee Trucking Association since 2013. She also is a team member of the Women of Covenant.

Five important keys that are motivating and inspiring to her as a professional driver are demonstrating the values of CARES: Communicate, Attitude, Respect, Excellence, and Staying Safe.

Another impressive Black woman in the Women In Trucking community is Trina Norman, who was named the 2022 Influential Woman in Trucking by WIT. Recently retired, Norman’s employment with UPS spanned three decades where she had proved to

be a well-rounded leader and a global citizen. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, where she has served as an activity member for 24 years. She also has mentored and sponsored young college students to achieve their academic goals while attending college.

While at UPS, her mission was to recruit, empower, mentor, and encourage women to join the elite women behind the wheels at UPS. In 2019, Norman helped to lead the charge and was instrumental in charting the first Women in Operations business resource group in Southern California. In honor of her leadership and game-changing methodology, she was granted the game-changer award in March of 2022. In April of 2022, she was the recipient of the corporate trailblazer award for both Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Women In Operations. In July of 2022, she was the recipient of the Visionary Leader Award for excellence in undertaking extraordinary efforts to enhance the operational experience.

Perhaps one of the most notable Black women in trucking government affairs in recent years is Daphne Jefferson, former Deputy Administrator, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). WIT named Jefferson the 2017 Influential Woman in Trucking.

As Administrator of the FMCSA for nearly three years (from 2015 to 2016), Jefferson was the senior career official responsible

for truck and bus safety on our nation’s roadways. “The safe and efficient movement of freight is essential to our nation’s economy, and I strive to make sure that the needs of all stakeholders are represented at the Department of Transportation,” said Jefferson at the time of being named the WIT Influential Woman in Trucking. “Every day our FMCSA employees in every state are focused on preventing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses.”

In 2016 Jefferson received the Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service, the government’s top award for excellence in civil service.

“The Pew Research Center did a study about women and leadership,” continued Jefferson in 2017. “Even though women are as capable as men in positions of power, barriers continue to persist. As a public servant on the regulatory side of the trucking industry, I try every day to remove the barriers and dispel any myths about women in this industry and in leadership,” said Jefferson. “It is important that women such as myself and the other nominees for this distinguished award serve as a pipeline for future female leaders. When one of us succeeds, all of us succeed!”

This article first appeared on the womenintrucking.org blog. We are grateful for permission to reprint this story.

“EVEN THOUGH WOMEN ARE AS CAPABLE AS MEN IN POSITIONS OF POWER, BARRIERS CONTINUE TO PERSIST. AS A PUBLIC SERVANT ON THE REGULATORY SIDE OF THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY, I TRY EVERY DAY TO REMOVE THE BARRIERS AND DISPEL ANY MYTHS ABOUT WOMEN IN THIS INDUSTRY AND IN LEADERSHIP,”

LOYALTY EARNED:

NAPA AUTO PARTS OPENS DOORS IN SAINT JOHN WEST THANKS TO SUCCESS OF EAST SIDE LOCATION

By Kristen Lipscombe

For NAPA AUTO Parts store manager Tom Parsons, the key to running a successful business is earning – and keeping – the trust and loyalty of customers.

That’s why the experienced automotive industry expert, who worked his way up from the parts counter, to manager, running the east side NAPA Auto Parts store in Saint John, N.B., is partnering once again with the large North American parent company in opening up a brandnew NAPA store on the west side of the same town.

“Overall, in the automotive industry, I guess it’s been 30 years,” Parsons said with a chuckle at the realization of just how long he’s been working in the industry within Saint John, the friendly Maritime city he was born and raised, and has been also helping ensure the local economy remains strong and vibrant.

“I’ve always liked cars and motorcycles, for sure,” he said of the natural career path that has taken him to now running two NAPA Auto Parts stores on the opposite sides of towns, the newly opened NAPA Saint John West Proline Automotive Supply store, a 7,000-square-foot store located in Lancaster Mall at 621 Fairville Blvd., and his long-standing NAPA Saint John East Proline Automotive Supply store, a 5,000-square-foot facility located at 37 Spencer Street.

“We added a second location on the west side of Saint John to enable us to better serve the customers on that side of the city,” Parsons said, adding it strengthens the overall parts inventory available to the local community.

“Every day it’s getting busier, and every day more and more people are walking in,” Parsons said of business picking up

at the new westside location, which officially opened its doors as a NAPA Auto Parts store this past February.

“A lot of people are coming in (to the new store) and making comments,” Parsons said. “They’re saying, ‘we’re so glad you’re here; it’s nice to see business on the west side; it’s closer for us.’”

So far at the new location, Parsons is overseeing six employees, the same number he manages at the east side location, along with a sales associate who works out of both locations, forming a team of 14 dedicated NAPA team members (including Parsons himself) with a wide range of expertise.

And while his employees have varying levels of time of experience within the automotive field, as long as they work hard and are willing to learn, Parsons said they’re a good fit for the

said, adding NAPA has specific training policies and procedures that ensure everyone receives the appropriate knowledge to become confident in their positions and ensure customers are receiving the best service around.

“NAPA is all about quality parts and customer service and that’s what we’ve always been about,” Parsons said. “That’s how we thrive; that’s how we keep customers coming back, and that’s how you get new customers.”

The bottom line is being loyal to those who are loyal to you. Parsons and his NAPA team members are loyal to customers, and NAPA has in turn been loyal to Parsons, giving him the opportunity to now help two Saint John NAPA

to do and you be where you say you’re going to be,” Parsons said matter-of-factly of why people keep coming back to the east side NAPA Auto Parts location and are now being drawn to the new west side store.

“It’s whatever the customer wants,” he reiterated. “All the customers are different, and we have to be flexible with them and we are, and we make sure all of the staff know that, and that’s just how we run the place.”

“The customer comes first every single time,” Parsons said. “It’s never about us; it’s always about them.”

Learn more about NAPA Canada’s quality products and services at www.napacanada.com

Kristen is a freelance journalist and communications specialist with more than 20 years of experience locally, provincially, nationally and even internationally. She believes that everyone has a story and loves helping others tell them. She’s a writer at heart.

MOTOR MATTERS

YOUR QUARTERLY ROUNDUP OF AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCKING NEWS ACROSS

THE COUNTRY.

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS OVER $3 MILLION IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN QUEBEC

On March 13, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada will invest over $3 million from the Environmental Damages Fund in five active transportation projects in Quebec. These five projects will increase access to active transportation options across the province and help communities transition to green travel options through initiatives such as bike lending, bike shares, cargo bikes, training sessions, and awareness campaigns.

The five projects, based in urban centres such as Montréal, Laval, and Québec, as well as regions across the province, can:

• Prevent 2,852 tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution

• Mobilize 168 partners in support of active transportation options

• Conduct consultations and studies on active transportation solutions

• Engage over 69,000 members of the public as participants in active transportation projects

These projects complement the Government of Canada’s commitment to take action to increase active transportation across the country through the first National Active Transportation Strategy

The Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund is funding this project through a settlement agreement between the Association québécoise de lutte contre la pollution atmosphérique (AQLPA) and Volkswagen Group Canada Inc., which

directed funds toward projects to reduce air pollution in Quebec.

“Canadians want to live in clean, healthy communities, and our government agrees with them. That’s why since 2015, our federal government has committed over $30 billion to public transit and active transportation projects. These investments have resulted in nearly 2,000 projects across the country, reducing air pollution and making active transportation easier, more convenient, and enjoyable. As someone who loves biking in Montréal, I’m excited to see more people in Quebec gaining access to and embracing active transportation, thanks to these projects. It’s a win for our communities and a win for the environment,” said The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

MAZDA LEADS INDUSTRY IN IIHS 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK+ AWARDS:

Moves Closer to Goal of Eliminating Traffic Fatalities

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has announced the winners of its 2025 TOP SAFETY PICK and TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards and Mazda is proud to receive eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards, more of the absolute highest award in vehicle safety than any other brand. The awarded vehicles include the 2025 model year Mazda3, Mazda3 Sport, CX-30, CX-50 including CX-50 Hybrid, CX-70, CX-70 PHEV, CX-90 and CX-90 PHEV.

To earn these esteemed awards, vehicles must achieve top ratings in IIHS’s front and side crash tests, pedestrian front crash prevention assessments and come with standard acceptable- or good-rated headlights. With each year IIHS strengthens the award criteria, making the 2025 awards program the toughest yet.

“The success of our awards program depends on automakers’

“THE NUMBER ONE THING GOVERNMENTS CAN DO TO HELP THE TRUCKING INDUSTRY BECOME COMPETITIVE AND MORE PRODUCTIVE IS TO BRING VIGOROUS AND WIDESPREAD ENFORCEMENT TO LABOUR AND TAX LAWS ON THE UNDERGROUND ECONOMY – EVERYTHING ELSE IS A DISTANT SECOND,”

commitment to safety,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “Kudos to Mazda for meeting this challenge with eight TOP SAFETY PICK+ winners, the most of any brand.” Mazda has risen to the top through outstanding performance in IIHS’s newest crash test that requires heightened rear seat occupant protection, with all tested models earning a top, Good rating. It was accomplished through the addition of rear seat belt pretensioners and load limiters and advanced airbags to our already robust structures, which Mazda proudly offers as standard equipment across all models. For Mazda, making safer cars is about more than just protecting the people riding in them. In our approach to advanced crash avoidance technologies, Mazda has also ensured that our crash avoidance systems are tuned to consider pedestrians in a variety of lighting conditions.

NRCAN’S

GREEN FREIGHT PROGRAM LAUNCHES A

NEW

CALL FOR PROPOSALS UNDER STREAM 2: FLEET MODERNIZATION

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has announced Stream 2 of the Green Freight Program focusing on fleet modernization and launching a competitive process to provide funding via a cost-shared non-repayable contributions for the following project types:

1. Vehicle Repowering (up to $5M or 50% of total project costs)

2. Purchase of low-carbon alternative fuel vehicles (up to $5M or 50% of the incremental costs)

3. Implementation of Logistical best practices (up to $1M or 50% of project costs)

In addition, the process will consider capital expenditures association with on-site refuelling and infrastructure as an eligible cost.

A call for proposals is open until June 2, 2025, with more information about the program available at: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/energy-efficiency/transportation-energy-ef ficiency/ green-freight/gfp-stream-2-fleet-modernization

ESDC & CRA TEAM UP TO TACKLE TRUCKING’S UNDERGROUND ECONOMY

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Labour Program at ESDC signed an Information Sharing Arrangement (ISA) March 7 to facilitate inspections and enforcement in the federally regulated trucking sector.

The government agencies had provincial and federal administrative barriers that prevented them from working together and sharing information to enhance enforcement. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has been working with both CRA and EDSC to bring these administrative walls down so that they could proactively work together to tackle an out-of-control underground economy that is destroying the competitive landscape of the trucking industry and driving compliant companies out of business.

“The sharing of information between these two key agencies in the fight against the underground economy in our sector will allow CRA to focus on – with a high degree of certainty – those trucking companies that owe millions, or likely billions, in unpaid taxes. This is much-needed revenue that should be going towards critical infrastructure and social programs for Canadians, including healthcare,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “At the same time, meaningful enforcement will provide some relief to responsible, compliant trucking companies who pay their fair share and who are desperately trying to stay in business.”

At this stage, the measure allows the CRA to receive relevant information from the Labour Program to support CRA’s existing compliance activities in the trucking sector. It represents the first step toward a broader information-sharing framework that will further support and maximize compliance and enforcement activities by both the CRA and Labour Program.

In a news release, the CRA and the Labour Program recognize the importance of addressing worker misclassification, wage theft, and non-compliance of tax laws , as well as the need to focus enforcement attention on the personnel service business (PSB) model, which is grossly misapplied in the trucking industry.

“The Government will fight against unfair labour practices to help workers receive the protections they are entitled to under

the Canada Labour Code, and we will enforce compliance with tax obligations under the Income Tax Act… (the agreement) between the CRA and the Labour Program marks a significant step forward in maintaining a fair and equitable trucking industry that provides dignity to workers,” the news release stated. “By sharing data effectively, we are not only upholding integrity but also reinforcing our commitment to fostering a level playing field for all businesses.”

Laskowski applauded the agencies for this important step towards eradicating the rampant non-compliance in the trucking industry.

“The number one thing governments can do to help the trucking industry become competitive and more productive is to bring vigorous and widespread enforcement to labour and tax laws on the underground economy – everything else is a distant second,” he said. “Today’s announcement could be a very big piece of the enforcement puzzle towards creating that much-needed relief for an embattled trucking sector.”

ELECTRIC AVENUE

A NEW ARGUMENT FOR ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

By Jeremy Woolward

DOES CANADA HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ECONOMIC SUPERPOWER? PERHAPS OUR HYDROGEN KNOWS FOR SURE?

On January 20, 2025, Donald Trump took the Oath of Office and became the 47th President of the United States for the second time. Since then, his administration has executed itself in a manner that one might call a roller coaster of uncertainty, doubt, and kneejerk impulses that have shocked allies, markets, and industries alike. Specifically, the threat of tariffs and a resulting trade war with Canada and other countries has resulted in politicians at home and abroad doing abrupt 180s in policy shifts and suddenly embracing or exploring ideas that once upon a time, may have been seen as politically toxic, unpredictable, or even hyper-partisan.

In Canada, at the time of this writing, our upcoming federal election has gone from a likely election of change resulting after 10 years of one government, and become instead an election on who’s best to handle the uncertainty and maelstroms emerging from 1600 Pennsylvania Ave in Washington D.C.. Instead of the typical mudslinging and character assassinations you’d expect in a Canadian election from the parties looking to form government, we’re seeing policy proposals and some big picture thinking ideas from some of them. The ending of provincial trade barriers, the possibility of energy corridors once thought unlikely (think: Energy East), and the emergence of Canada as an economic superpower are things to take seriously. The same can be said for making a renewed push for alternative energy as an ace in the hole and a resource that can withstand the ebb and flow of political and economical uncertainty.

Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) modernized how the

world worked. The advent of the Model-T as well as the discovery of rich oil sands / reserves in Alberta were two watershed events of the 20th Century that shaped how the world viewed transportation. Today, Canada boasts one of the world’s largest oil sands housed in and around Fort McMurray, Alberta, and players like Cenovus, CNRL, Suncor, and others have made their mark at home and abroad with product found and developed here and shipped to foreign markets. It hasn’t always been easy to get this product to market given provincial trade barriers, federal vs provincial oversight on energy development, a failure to consult with indigenous persons on developing projects on treaty land, as well as political stalemates have rendered these topics taboo. One only needs to look at the saga of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion as well as the failed efforts to expand the Keystone Pipeline as recent examples of when economics and socio-political climates clash. The result is a 20th century delivery system, held together by proverbial band-aids and status quo thinking that get people nowhere, except the political pundits who use it as an excuse to get off on social media and bicker as if it’s a way to seek a political orgasm.

The other part of this 20th century model is that with the growing awareness and reality that is a changing climate, the idea of levies / carbon taxes, or other ways to incentivize a transition away from non-renewable resources to power our world has denigrated itself into a zero-sum game that nobody can take seriously anymore, especially now that the United States has pulled out of the Paris Accord, and the Canadian Government effectively

killed their consumer carbon tax April 1st, with other provincial jurisdictions pulling the plugs as well. The federal government remains committed to keeping levies in place for industrial emitters, while the official opposition and other jurisdictions like Alberta and Saskatchewan would be content in seeing those levies disappear as well. Unfortunately, for the adults in the room, we’re left with premiers like Alberta’s Danielle Smith, who instead of getting with the rest of the world, has threatened to use Alberta’s Critical Infrastructure Defense Act to justify keeping Ottawa out of industry’s books by withholding reporting and denying transparency in industry. What is ironic in this instance is that despite Premier Smith’s fragile political ego, she is sitting on a veritable gold mine when Alberta, arguably the province with the most to lose by an unstable energy sector, is also leading the way in the development of alternative energies, and in the development of delivering those alternative energies to market.

In Alberta, industry organizations like the Alberta Motor Transport Association have partnered with subject matter experts (SMEs) and companies in the energy sector on the development of hydrogen as the zero-emission fuel of the 21st century, bypassing consumer conversations about electric or hybrid delivery vehicles. As an abundant element that makes up life, hydrogen has been touted as a resource with unlimited potential. While not found in isolation, hydrogen can be found in the water, can be found in fossil fuels, as well as other biomasses, and it’s the extraction of hydrogen as well as its integration with specially designed tanks that interact with fuel cells in vehicles that, when interacting with air, produce electricity to power a vehicle with a minimal- to- no carbon impact on the environment, effectively reducing or eliminating a carbon footprint while also ensuring that our economy moves forward.

To the uninitiated, and even to some who may be more informed than others, anything new can be a little unsettling. Unfortunately, it also can lead to some unnecessary stigmas and biases. All anybody needs to do is put the words “hydrogen” and “energy” together, and instantly, have one’s thoughts turn to the horror of the Manhattan Project and the successful deployment of the first atomic bomb that ended the Second World War. Even to me, the original thought of driving in a vehicle powered by hydrogen was enough to make my skin crawl. However, upon further review, while that is an extreme use, it’s also a process that involves splitting a hydrogen atom, which is not the case here.

In the case of hydrogen- powered vehicles, the tanks used to contain the fuel are specially made for it, the fumes that are emitted from the vehicle are nothing more than water vapour, and given Canada’s extreme temperatures, there’s minimal risk of freezing as hydrogen remains a gas up until a low of -259.2 Celsius. By comparison, the state of Absolute Zero (0 Kelvin) is a temperature of -273.15 Celsius, something not yet achieved in nature. The case can and should be made that it’s a much more adaptable source of fuel than gasoline or diesel, with stats reported on the AMTA’s Hydrogen website that a truck

powered in part or in full by hydrogen can reduce its carbon emissions by 40- to- 100%. In this socio-political and economical environment, that is indeed a win.

The adoption of hydrogen as a sound alternative to fossil fuels and ICE engines, in a tariff / trade war climate, is a game changer, and one that people should take seriously. By eliminating the need to ship via pipeline or other older conventional methods, you start lowering the cost to manufacture and distribute. When hydrogen and its associated extraction technologies are used properly by countries who’ve chosen to invest in it, it becomes a tariff protected product because it’s a product we all have in abundance and only a fool would try and levy something you can find almost anywhere in existence. In Alberta, the modus operandi of the Government of Alberta has been to protect the exports of Alberta energy to the U.S. and making it tariff- free, or at the very least, lessen the total tariffs charged to it. While the province is proud of our economy and our energy sector, this willful blindness to reality is almost embarrassing when they fail to see that whether they like it or not, industry’s already moving away from old school thinking, and all that’s left is Danielle Smith, and Jason Kenney before her, looking like political Norma Desmonds, waving to a parade that has long since passed them by. This partisan rhetoric may have once been appropriate but not now. Not when we have a trading partner south of us who doesn’t give a single thought to conventional thinking or rational decision making. The reality is that some care a lot more about appeasing President Trump than President Trump really cares about us. The truth is he doesn’t. President Trump does what he does for Presi dent Trump. So why sell ourselves short when we can truly lead out and accomplish what we need to, despite so many willing to turn their back on their social and environmental responsibilities and accountabilities?

Hydrogen, and other zero-emission

technologies to come,

will be what defines the economics of the second half of the 21st century, and possibly well into the 22nd. Fossil fuels paved the way for this next step in our economical evolution, and when Alberta first introduced its Climate Leadership Plan, then- premier Rachel Notley had aspired that this plan would help the transition forward by forcing companies to invest in new ways of doing things; that a levy on the price of carbon would encourage people to think differently as to how they conduct their lives. You don’t want to pay, then you find a different way to get the job done. The idea of individual accountability and innovation is what drove Alberta to succeed in the past, and Premier Notley was attempting to have lightning strike again. Despite the politicking and partisanship that followed, the legacy of the Notley government was that in some ways, they did succeed. Industry adapted. Industry took that brave step forward, and we reap the benefits of that success. It will be that success and growth in alternative energies that will help us weather and win this tariff malarkey with the U.S., and it will be these drivers that will ultimately transform Canada into that energy superpower touted by Prime Minister Mark Carney a short time ago. However, the variable is us. To be, or not to be. That is, truly, the question before us now. How we answer will shape our future.

Jeremy Woolward, NHSA, CTSP is a fleet safety manager and writer living in Calgary, Alta.