Repeated Requests for More Time Ignored

'The supply chain is nowhere near ready for the mandates as currently scheduled.'

Part 1: The Canadian Trucking Alliance: Who does it represent?
Part 2: The Manitoba Trucking Association: Who's actually a member?
Part 3: How Lobbyists Failed Truckers
Part 4: Repeated Requests for More Time Ignored

Yesterday, I noted that the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) issued two press releases in October describing significant truck driver job vacancies, and warning that the January 15th cross border vaccine deadline was a bad idea. The story doesn’t end there. A month later that same entity again said more time was needed:

The planned deadline of mid-January barely gives unvaccinated long-haul drivers, who are constantly away from home…the appropriate time to reconsider their status and get both approved shots in time to comply with this policy as currently planned.

…it’s unclear how the supply chain and the trucking industry, in particular, can withstand further turmoil…the supply chain is nowhere near ready for the mandates as currently scheduled…officials need to work with the trucking industry to develop a clear plan and alternative timeline to soften the impact… [bold added]

CTA president Stephen Laskowski didn’t mince words. “Make no mistake,” he declared, “if this mandate moves forward as planned,” the cross border economy will experience significant consequences. The “CTA is calling on both governments to move the January 15 deadline” to a later date.

On December 12th, the CTA once more publicly expressed concern about an “acute and growing truck driver shortage.” In that instance it was objecting to a plan to mandate vaccines for all Canadian truck drivers irrespective of whether or not they work south of the border. (The fact that this never materialized appears to be another Freedom Convoy victory.)

The CTA is a lobby group. Most of its interaction with government takes place quietly, behind the scenes. In meetings both formal and informal. Perhaps on the golf course. The fact that this organization issued four press releases about these matters in a span of 66 days suggests it was striking out badly behind the scenes.

It’s important to understand that trucking industry lobbyists repeatedly, publicly, and unsuccessfully urged the government to delay the January 15th deadline. Had politicians met the lobbyists halfway, the convoy may never have taken place.

From the perspective of truck drivers, the CTA’s failure was further evidence of an arrogant, out-of-touch national government.