Regulations are being streamlined for large commercial vehicles travelling across the boundaries of the three westernmost provinces.

Under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, the governments of Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan agreed to have consistent regulations and policies governing the operation of large transport trucks, without compromising safety. Uniform rules about the size and weights of vehicles and other aspects of trucking operations will come into effect July 1, allowing trucks to operate more efficiently between provinces.

The provinces will continue to work together on future changes to ensure that, as much as possible, one set of rules will apply from the eastern border of Saskatchewan and across Alberta to the coast of British Columbia.

During consultations with the trucking industry over the last year, other opportunities for streamlining the regulations were put forward, and the provinces will now work towards achieving these changes by July 2012.

"These changes will result in more flexibility, higher productivity and lower costs for the trucking industry while still keeping our roads safe for all travellers," said British Columbia Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Blair Lekstrom. "Together, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are making it easier to do business in the west."

"Different standards, rules and regulations in each of our respective provinces create costly inefficiencies for shippers and, ultimately, their customers," said Luke Ouellette, Alberta's Minister of Transportation. "Harmonizing trucking regulations helps move people and goods more efficiently and contributes to continued economic growth and prosperity for our three provinces."

"Export goods produced in western Canada are being trucked on the highways between our provinces every day," said Saskatchewan Minister of Highways and Infrastructure Jim Reiter. "Through the New West Partnership our three provinces will now have consistent trucking regulations to allow for a more seamless flow of goods, with less red tape and lower costs for shippers, which ultimately leads to a more attractive investment climate."

The New West Partnership Trade Agreement is a commitment among the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan to eliminate barriers to trade, labour mobility and investment.

For more information, visit the New West Partnership at: http://www.newwestpartnership.ca/

Media Contacts:

Jeff Knight
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-7707

Tammy Forbes
Communications
Alberta Transportation
780 415-1841

Doug Wakabayashi
Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure
306 787-4804

BACKGROUNDER

NEW WEST PARTNERSHIP

• The New West Partnership is a new and far-reaching economic partnership between the Governments of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. The three provinces commit to ongoing collaboration on innovative ways to strengthen the economy of the West.
• Through the New West Partnership, the three provinces will foster strong, vibrant and lasting prosperity for the region and our people. Innovative and competitive businesses will be even more attracted to the region.
• A key element of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement is to streamline regulations by eliminating unnecessary differences in provinces' business and occupation-related regulations and standards by July 2012.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGULATIONS

For more than 40 years, provinces, territories and Canada have worked to streamline commercial regulations across jurisdictions and, as a result the majority of requirements for commercial vehicles are already reconciled. The western Premiers directed that the remaining differences be streamlined, and transportation ministries in each province worked with the trucking industry, trade ministries and other stakeholders to remove inconsistencies.

KEY CHANGES:

Steering axle weights:

New regulations will increase the steering axle weight limit for single and tandem drive tractors. The change allows industry to use vehicles that include newer technologies such as larger sleeper berths and auxiliary power units, which are small generators that run lights, heaters and electronic devices when vehicles are not operating.

Length and width for trucks and tractors:

The allowable length and width for tridem drive trucks, tractors and trailer configurations will be consistent across provinces. This allows industry to standardize vehicles.

As well, the length limits for single and tandem drive double trailer combinations (i.e., A, B, and C-Trains) will increase so the longest allowable tractor and longest allowable trailer can be used in combination, which increases a carrier's flexibility in how to use its fleet.

Pilot cars

There are many regulations for pilot car signs, lighting, and vehicle requirements. These have been modernized and streamlined.

Roadside enforcement

All provinces conduct enforcement blitzes which, if unco-ordinated, can result in the same vehicles inspected multiple times on the same items. Co-ordinated enforcement and training will result in more consistent and focused inspections, which will increase compliance.

For details on the new regulations visit

• Alberta www.transportation.alberta.ca
• British Columbia http://www.cvse.ca/CTPM/Com_Circulars/compliance_circulars.htm
• Saskatchewan www.highways.gov.sk.ca