The Province is appointing a container trucking commissioner to support better working conditions for container truckers and to ensure efficient and reliable operations at Port Metro Vancouver.

Andy Smith, in his role as president and chief executive officer of the BC Maritime Employers Association, has been integral to advancing B.C. and Canada's economic interests in the Asia Pacific Gateway by building productive relationships between the shipping lines, terminals and their unions. Mr. Smith has previously concluded two historic eight-year collective agreements on the waterfront, which have greatly improved Canada and B.C.’s Asia Pacific Gateway's international reputation for reliability.

When appointed, Mr. Smith will support the mandate of ensuring long-term stability in the sector by:

• Assuming responsibility for all Truck Licencing System licences in place following the licence reform undertaken by Port Metro Vancouver.
• Establishing, and then consulting with an Industry Advisory Committee on issues relevant to the sector,
• Setting any future rates moving forward based on consultations with industry and the Industry Advisory Committee,
• Having oversight of the Whistle-blower line, investigations and enhanced auditing and enforcement.

By appointing the province’s first container trucking commissioner, government is meeting its commitments under the March 2014 Joint Action Plan and is acting on recommendations made by mediators Vince Ready and Corrin Bell.

The Province enacted the Container Trucking Act in December 2014 to provide fair wages and working conditions for truckers and to ensure efficient operation and global competitiveness of Port Metro Vancouver, which is critical to a robust provincial and national economy.

Quote:

Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure -

“I congratulate Andy Smith on his appointment. He brings with him a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the sector and I’m confident he’ll be able to positively engage with labour and industry and bring much needed stability to the ports, which are of enormous importance to our provincial and national economies.”

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241

BACKGROUNDER

New container trucking commissioner at Port Metro Vancouver

Andy Smith - Biography

Andy Smith assumed the role of president and chief executive officer of the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA) in October of 2007. While in this position, Mr. Smith was instrumental in having successfully concluded two historic eight-year collective agreements (from 2010 to 2018) on the West Coast waterfront, which have greatly improved Canada and B.C.’s Asia Pacific Gateway's international reputation for reliability. Prior to this, Mr. Smith worked as an advisor to the president of Interfor, a major B.C. forest company, on labour, environmental and forest policy matters.

Mr. Smith’s previous positions include: assistant publisher at Pacific Press, president of B.C. Hothouse Foods Inc., and various senior positions at Loblaw’s companies including vice-president labour relations, North America and president, Kelly Douglas and Co. Ltd.

Mr. Smith has held directorships with the Health Employers Association of B.C., Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network, and the Plan Institute, an independent family support agency and a developmental institute focused on the long-term support of intellectually impaired adults.

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241