Maple Leaf Motoring is a weekly rundown of developments in the world of Canadian transportation. This week: Ontario workers’ comp agency cracks down on Driver Inc carriers; study highlights roadside pollution from trucks; and CN hauls Korean War-era tank across the country.
The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) reported that provincial authorities have stepped up enforcement efforts against Driver Inc carriers, which misclassify employee drivers as contractors.
The OTA reported on Nov. 1 that the province’s workers’ compensation board, WSIB, made payment adjustments on “dozens” of additional Driver Inc carriers.
While it was not immediately possible to verify the report with provincial authorities, it is welcome news to many in Ontario’s trucking industry.
WSIB deducts premiums from employers. Under Driver Inc, carriers avoid or substantially reduce those payments as well as larger tax withholdings for drivers. The carriers classify drivers as contractors despite providing them trucks.
The practice allows the carriers to offer artificially low rates. This has been especially damaging in 2019 as Canada’s freight market has seen a reduction in volumes with excess trucks.
The OTA praised WSIB for going after the carriers but called on provincial and federal authorities to push harder.
“Compliant carriers would like to thank the WSIB for being the only agency to date, provincially or federally, to put such a focused effort on ensuring compliance and protecting workers in our sector,” Jonathan Blackham, director of policy and public affairs, said in a statement.
Alain Bedard, the CEO of TFI International (TSX:TFI), singled out Driver Inc multiple times during a conference call with analysts after the company reported third-quarter results, likening it to a “cancer.” He suggested it could hurt TFI Canadian truckload business.
TFI’s Canadian truckload business can most likely withstand the competition, posting an 83% operating ratio during the quarter. But smaller compliant carriers are far more vulnerable.
Study: Heavy trucks emit troubling levels of pollutants near roads
A new University of Toronto study found that diesel trucks are generating disproportionately high levels of harmful pollution near roads.
The study from the Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research looked at emissions from six locations near Vancouver and Toronto from 2015 to 2017.
Researchers found that heavy diesel trucks were generating problematic levels of an array of pollutants near the roads. The study also noted that the very worst polluters had a significantly worse profile than other vehicles.
“If these highly polluting diesel trucks were repaired, retrofitted, removed or relocated, it would make a significant difference,” University of Toronto professor Greg Evans, the study leader, told U of T News. “You can’t move your nearby schools or homes, but we can do something about these highly polluting trucks that are a small proportion of the truck traffic, and yet causing a lot of the trouble.”
CN hauling Korean-war battle tank across the country
A Centurion battle tank deployed during the Korean War began its journey from Nova Scotia to British Columbia on Oct. 30.
Canadian National (NYSE:CNI) is sponsoring the weekslong intermodal transport of the 51-ton piece of military history.
“We have a proud and strong history of moving Canadian military equipment and soldiers,” Keith Reardon, CN’s senior vice president for consumer product supply chain, said in a statement. “During this month of commemoration for the sacrifices made by our veterans and our Armed Forces, we wanted to contribute by doing what we do best. This also serves as a reminder of CN’s role in the supply chain that has shaped our society for over 100 years.”
The tank had been on display at Cornwallis Park in Nova Scotia. Its new home is Langley, British Columbia. The city has a large Korean-Canadian community, and earlier in 2019 a war memorial was unveiled commemorating the Battle of Kapyong.
More than 26,000 Canadians served during the 1950-53 conflict under the banner of the United Nations, and 516 died.
TEAS Practice Test
Can I simply say what a relief to find somebody that really understands what they’re talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must look at this and understand this side of your story. I was surprised you aren’t more popular because you certainly have the gift.
Research Papers for Sale
Learn about Best Essay Writing Services that are congenial to your needs.Writers delve deeper into concepts about Custom Dissertation Writing, and the qualities to consider when writing Best Dissertation Writing Service.
Noble1
Better yet , the WSIB should create a division that conducts sting operations ,LOL !
It’s not entrapment . These businesses that conduct illegal activity though Driver inc misclassifications etc don’t need to be “induced” to commit their “crime(s)” . Set up a division of undercovers and go apply for jobs . You won’t just bust them for employee misclassifications , I guarantee you that ! You would put one heck of a scare in the industry to clean up their act , GUARANTEED !
In my humble opinion …………
Noble1
Quote:
“Ont WSIB Assesses Dozens More Driver Inc. Companies, But Where is Ottawa?”
You can check that out on the OTA(Ontario Trucking Association) website :
Quote:
” Earlier in the year, the WSIB committed to the trucking industry it would switch from random audits to focused audits. To assist in the detection of noncompliance such as Driver Inc., the WSIB has a hotline available for drivers to report companies forcing them into the Driver Inc. scheme. ”
Re-quote:
“the WSIB has a hotline available for drivers to report companies forcing them into the Driver Inc. scheme. ”
It’s about freaking time !!!
However , I’m not fond of the “snitching” idea . The WSIB should have a division that simply looks through online ads which offer truck driver employment & courier employment/ transportation employment . Most of these “geniuses ” are arrogant enough to state that the truck driver needs to be either registered or incorporated right in their ad ! LOL !
A dead giveaway is when they advertise a “fixed” wage/rate for the trip without mentioning the obligation to incorporate in their ad while using their truck . After 60 hours in the week the ‘fixed” wage/rate doesn’t hold , nor after 50 hours if there is a statutory holiday in the week . Then Audit them ! And you can start with TFI International last mile ads based on the “dependant contractor ” relationship under the guise of advertising it as an Owner Operator position , LOL !
Quote:
Dependent Contractors – New Class of Workers Recognized in Ontario
” Bill 148 passed in January 2018, requires employers to clearly classify their workers as Employees, Dependent Contractors or Independent Contractors. Consequently, dependent Contractors now receive the same protection as employees under our revised employment laws.”
In my humble opinion ………
Noble1
Quote:
“Alain Bedard, the CEO of TFI International (TSX:TFI), singled out Driver Inc multiple times during a conference call with analysts after the company reported third-quarter results, likening it to a “cancer.” He suggested it could hurt TFI Canadian truckload business.”
What Mr.Bedard is suggesting is that due to Driver inc. TFI is losing out on market share . But that is far from the truth from my perspective .
Furthermore , the rate that TFI offers truck driver employees isn’t competitive . Some flatbed carriers are offering employees ON PAYROLL .80 cents per mile while TFI doesn’t even come close to offering such wages ! In other words , the Co. that I’m referring to is highly profitable and pays their truck drivers well ! And if TFI manages to find it , I’d be willing to bet that they’ll attempt to buy it out and then if successful , reduce the wage offered to the truck drivers of that Co. !
I certainly don’t condone Driver inc if they don’t abide by the rules , however , there’s more to the story than driver inc taking market share from TFI .
I’ve had the unpleasant experience of dealing with one of their subsidiaries ! And I respectfully declined being part of them based on ethics . Then I figured I would take a look at the top . And what did I find . Go look at insider trading in TFI since May 2019(I didn’t go any further) and late July 2019 , and see what has been going on as TFI has been cancelling shares through buybacks ! Is that “ethical” ? No but that shows you how the CEO plays the game . NO CEO SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO DISPOSE/SELL SHARES IN THE OPEN MARKET WHILE THE Co. IS BUYING BACK SHARES ! That’s one heck of a conflict of interest !
And you’re more than welcome to review truck driver reviews who actually were a part of TFI . Then weigh the pros & cons and draw your own conclusion . I’ve certainly drawn mine !
In my humble opinion …………..