When I started as a young man in the industry, I was taught to work hard by wonderful, dedicated professionals. Those individuals taught me about safety, customer service and helped instill a sense of pride I still feel today. They taught me about the important role our sector plays in the economy and how all Canadians depend on trucking to get the goods they need. Sixty years later, as I look back at all of these changes, not least of which those that have come as a result of the pandemic, I still see the resiliency and dedication of our people as the one constant in our industry. 

I have always said trucking is the greatest industry to work in because we have the greatest people. Well, we have proved that statement to be true throughout this crisis. Around the country, respect for Canada’s trucking industry and our professional truck drivers has continued to grow by leaps and bounds. For many Canadians, there is now a much greater appreciation for the role our industry plays in their life and the essential role we play in the economy. And while National Trucking Week is an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our workforce and their accomplishments, it is my hope that this recognition continues past Labour Day and that our industry continues to get the public and governmental attention it deserves. 

 For the businesses that comprise the industry, while we have all had somewhat different challenges based on the regions we operate, the goods that we haul and our own personal circumstances, there continues to be a consistent theme at the national level as well – that we must all work together to raise the bar in our sector and showcase the incredible contributions our industry makes to Canada’s prosperity. As Chairperson of the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), I have the privilege of working with some of the best and brightest in the industry towards this vision, including the CTA Board, the seven provincial associations in the CTA federation, and the dedicated suppliers that form CTA Team Canada Elite. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for your time and dedication to CTA and the industry.  

 As we all know, it has not been easy to keep the economy rolling through this crisis. Our businesses and people have faced countless obstacles, and no doubt will face more before this crisis is over. However, I have no doubt that we will continue to rise to the occasion and will eventually come through this crisis as a stronger and more unified industry. We truly are an industry populated by resilient, professional, and committed people. To all those that make their living in our sector, I want to say thank-you for your commitment to keeping the Canadian economy moving during very challenging times. Sixty years later, you are still the constant that makes trucking great. 

On behalf of myself and the CTA Board of Directors, I want to wish you all a happy National Trucking Week.

Jean Claude Fortin, Chair
Canadian Trucking Alliance