Volumes Down on Main NWT Ice Road
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pg 01, 06-08 tw apr v2 3/11/09 3:41 PM Page 1 April 2009 Volume 20, Issue 4 Delivering daily news to Canada’s trucking industry at www.trucknews.com Disturbing Volumes down on main NWT report ice road Commercial YELLOWKNIFE, NWT – Freight trucks are now trucked over the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road in the NWT is mode of choice down by about 45,000 tonnes compared to last year, says Erik for drug-runners Madsen, director of Joint Venture Management Committee, opera- By Jan Westell tors of the ice road. SURREY,B.C. – A major trend is The Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter emerging, with more drug traf- road begins about 60 kilometres fickers favouring land ports of en- east of Yellowknife, and connects to try over the more traditional three diamond mines. Most of the route through Toronto’s Pearson road is built over frozen lakes with International Airport, according connections via land portage. It is to the Canada Border Services about 400 km long this year, com- Agency (CBSA). pared to its normal length of almost The CBSA analyzed a pattern of 600 km, after Tahera’s Jericho cocaine trafficking between Jan. 1, Diamond Mine shut down last year. 2001 and June 30, 2007, and pub- The ice road opened on Feb. 1, lished a report on the findings and is expected to close about entitled: Cocaine Seizures, Pacific March 31, according to Madsen, Region Perspective. whose group manages the road In the 6.5-year period analyzed for BHP Billiton Diamonds and in the report, CBSA seized 8.2 Diavik Diamond Mines. tonnes of cocaine in Canada, con- “Everything is on schedule and sidered to be worth more than $1 it’s going really well,” said Madsen. billion dollars, at various land, air, “The cold weather this year really marine and postal ports of entry helped to build the ice up, and the across the country. While the tra- loads/the tonnages are there. We ditional methods of cocaine im- anticipated being done on schedule porting had historically been via or even earlier.” air and marine methods, over the Diesel fuel is the largest item last 19 months examined by the being trucked north on the road, report, land-based movements along with cement, tires, prill (am- have become the favoured monium nitrate) for explosives and method of importing cocaine into various construction materials. Canada, mainly via commercial However, Madsen admitted that trucks through “Pacific Region” the 45,000 tonne decline in projected ports of entry. HEAVY HAUL: US Customs officers empty a cattleliner of marijuana after volumes (to 200,000 tonnes) is The majority of cocaine coming intercepting the load at the border. being felt by some truckers. Continued on page 8 Photo courtesy US Customs and Border Protection Making matters worse, De Beers Continued on page 6 Small tweaks, big savings InsideInside This Issue... Mark Dalton O/O See pg. 26 • Cab safety: A look at how to spec’ a cab for maximum safety in the event of an accident. Page 9 • Big bark, what about the bite?: Technical correspondent John G. Smith takes a spin in the Mack Titan. Does the biggest bulldog live up to its name? Page 17 • Limiter protest: Ontario truckers take their message to Queen’s Park and we were there. Page 18 • Survival plan: A comprehensive look at how to weather the storm and prepare your fleet for better times ahead, as seen by transportation consultant Dan Goodwill. Pages 20-21 Page 28 To view list of advertisers Reach us at our Western Canada news bureau visit us online at Call Jan Westell at 604-943-1170 or e-mail [email protected] www.trucknews.com PAP Registration No. 11065 PM40069240 pg 02 tw apr 3/11/09 12:52 PM Page 1 Visit us in Booth #4851 at ExpoCam How do you thrive despite hostile driving environments and brutal economic conditions? Get a smarter tire program. With premium, best-in-class retreads. Backed by legendary service. Bandag. The company that has been leading the precured retreading industry for over 50 years. ROLL SMART. X FIND OUT HOW BANDAG COULD SAVE YOU 10% OR MORE ON TIRE COSTS. SEE BANDAG.COM/SAVE. ©2008 BANDAG — ALL RIGHTS RESERVED O UR 1 6 t h A NNUAL SEARCH FOR HAS BEGUN. If you know an Owner/Operator who Excellenceexemplifi es professionalism while also demonstrating a clean driving record, a commitment to safety and a track record of community involvement, nominate them for this prestigious award by completing the application form below or by going online to www.trucknews.com. We know Owner/Operators are at the heart of the trucking industry, investing both personally and fi nancially in their businesses. We’re proud to take this opportunity to recognize the best among them. In addition to a ring fit for a champion, 2009’s honouree will also receive $3,000 CASH and a VACATION FOR TWO up to $2,500! Nominations must be received by June 1, 2009 Co-founding sponsors of this award... The Owner/Operator of the Year should be… Name: Address: Town/City: Prov: Postal code: Home phone: Bus. phone: Email: Number of years in trucking/commodity hauled: Primary truck and engine: Number of vehicles: Contracted to (if applicable): How do you maximize fuel efficiency?: My choice is based on: Safe driving record � Industry/community involvement � Heroism � Going "Green" Initiatives � Explain: (Include additional information on separate paper if insufficient space) Nominated by: Phone: Mail completed forms to “AWARD” Truck News/Truck West, Attn: Kathy Penner 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, Ontario M3C 4J2 FORM MUST BE FILLED IN COMPLETELY AND NOMINEE MUST HAVE CLEAN DRIVER'S ABSTRACT OO award 2009.indd 1 1/8/09 10:25:59 AM pg 05 tw apr v2 3/11/09 1:00 PM Page 5 April 2009 TRUCK WEST Page 5 Speed limiter protest fizzles as age battle ramps up As far as protests go, it wasn’t equipment requirements have April 2009, Volume 20, Issue 4 exactly the Million Man March. Editorial created further inconveniences. Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 Despite expectations of some 200 Comment We’ve partnered with OBAC to “Return Postage Guaranteed” or more trucks forming peaceful create a page devoted to the issue 12 Concorde Pl., Suite 800, Toronto, Ont., M3C 4J2 Sales: 416-510-6892 / Editorial: 416-510-6896 convoys from starting points in James on its Web site (www.obac.ca). Fax: 416-510-5143 Cambridge and Bowmanville and Menzies At the very least, you’ll now Truck West, USPS 017-178 is published monthly by converging at Queen’s Park have a place to direct uninformed Business Information Group, a division of BIG Magazines L.P., a leading Canadian information March 2, only a half dozen or so MPPs for background on this is- company with interests in daily and community trucks actually took part. (You all studies completed on the po- sue. newspapers and B-2-B information services. US office of publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, can read the story on pg. 18). tential impacts of the law. Some insiders have voiced opti- Niagara Falls, NY 14304-5709. Periodicals Postage I counted a couple dozen pro- It’s unlikely. mism that the road test require- Paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US postmaster: Send address changes to Truck West, PO Box 1118, fessional drivers on the grounds, But kudos to him for represent- ments for senior drivers will in Niagara Falls, NY 14304. who were there to support protest ing himself with class, even in the fact be lifted. SENIOR PUBLISHER – Rob Wilkins ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER – Kathy Penner organizer Scott Mooney. face of major disappointment. That’s good news. EXECUTIVE EDITOR – James Menzies Their cause, of course, was Bill More than 700 people ex- But in the meantime, let’s help MANAGING EDITOR – Adam Ledlow 41 – Ontario’s controversial law pressed their support for the nudge along those who wield the WESTERN EDITOR – Jan Westell I CIRCULATION MANAGER – Vesna Moore requiring all trucks in the demonstration on a Facebook power to get such things done. CIRCULATION ASSISTANT – Anita Singh province to be mechanically limit- page and dozens – if not hundreds CREATIVE– Carolyn Brimer, Beverley Richards ed to 105 km/h. – made verbal commitments to be – James Menzies can be reached by V.P. PUBLISHING – Alex Papanou PRESIDENT – Bruce Creighton If you’re the glass half empty there. phone at (416) 510-6896 or by Circulation inquiries: 416-442-5600 ext. 3553 type, it’s easy to write the demon- Those who did attend were, e-mail at [email protected]. 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Please allow 8 weeks for changes or corrections. fact that the handful of drivers road tests for senior PAP Registration No. 11065 who did participate had their mo- drivers in Ontario is We acknowledge the financial support of the ment in front of a full throng of every bit as con- Government of Canada, through the Canada Magazine Fund, towards our editorial costs.