Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone has issued the following statement in recognition of the resignation of B.C. Container Trucking Commissioner Andy Smith on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015:

“Today, I received a letter from Andy Smith, informing me that he is resigning from his position as Container Trucking Commissioner, effective immediately.

“I’d like to thank Mr. Smith for the work he’s done over the last seven months as B.C.’s Container Trucking Commissioner.

“The position of Container Trucking Commissioner was created to ensure long-term stability in the container trucking sector that serves Port Metro Vancouver, to uphold the newly enacted legislation and to support better working conditions for container truckers serving the port after a bitter labour dispute. Mr. Smith was the first-ever commissioner appointed under the Container Trucking Act, and he embraced this challenging and important position with the in-depth knowledge and experience he had of the industry.

“We will begin a search immediately to replace Mr. Smith as the commissioner and hope to have a replacement in place as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the day to day operations of the office are well in hand with staff handling driver queries, financial administration and other duties of the office to ensure efficient and reliable operations at Port Metro Vancouver and to continue to support better working conditions for container truckers serving the port.

“The Provincial Container Trucking Commissioner is an essential part of creating the conditions needed for long-term port trucking stability, which will benefit truckers and the companies who employ them, helping them contribute to growth in this vital gateway.”