SURREY Mayor Doug McCallum has written to federal Transport Minister Omar Alghabra urging him to intervene in the dispute involving the United Truckers Association (UTA) that may result in a shutdown of the Port of Vancouver.
McCallum has pointed out the unfair treatment that the UTA members have been subjected to, saying, “No other commercial truckers in British Columbia face such costly measures to earn a living for their families.”
He noted: “The UTA has advised me that it has urged Transport Canada, for months, to form and lead a steering committee comprised of all the stakeholder groups. However, this has not yet happened. I therefore request that you intervene as soon as possible.”
The Mayor’s letter to Alghabra:
I am writing to express my concern with the Port of Vancouver’s Rolling Truck Age Program.
I understand that the United Truckers Association (“UTA”) and its members are prepared to take job action in opposition to this program. This may result in a “shutdown” of the Port of Vancouver in the coming days.
As the Mayor of the City of Surrey, I have heard from several of my constituents about this issue. From what I have learned, it is clear to me that the UTA’s independent operator (I/O) truck owners are being unfairly targeted by the Port. As a result, I as the Mayor of the City of Surrey stand in support of the UTA and its members.
The UTA’s members have explained to me that their trucks are compliant with all the Provincial and Federal laws regarding diesel emissions. No other commercial truckers in British Columbia face such costly measures to earn a living for their families. Therefore, I see no reason why minority small business owners, many of whom are from the City of Surrey and neighbouring municipalities, should be treated any different.
The UTA has advised me that it has urged Transport Canada, for months, to form and lead a steering committee comprised of all the stakeholder groups. However, this has not yet happened. I therefore request that you intervene as soon as possible.
This is a matter of serious importance to the residents of the City of Surrey. I will be monitoring this issue closely in the coming days, and I look forward to hearing from you about the formation of a steering committee.
