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Ontario Supports Trucking Sector for Keeping Goods Moving

April 2, 2020
By Bob Peters

Cornwall Ontario – Ontario is reiterating its support for the Ontario transportation sector.

Truck drivers are working long hours – day and night – delivering food and equipment and other essential supplies for Ontario families during the COVID-19 outbreak. In a joint statement, Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, and Caroline Mulroney, Minister of Transportation, acknowledged those efforts.

“Our truck drivers deserve our respect, our support, our thanks and our best efforts to help them as they continue to make sure we can put food on our tables and pick up other necessary items,” said the Ministers. “We would like to thank commercial carriers and truck drivers for everything that they’ve done to keep goods moving during the COVID-19 outbreak.”

The Ontario government is calling on all business owners to support truck drivers when they are stopping to rest, get gas or use washrooms. Businesses who rely on truck drivers need to provide necessary facilities. Everyone is urged to do their part to make sure drivers can keep doing their jobs safely.

The government is working closely with truck drivers and associations to respond to the issues they face on the road.

Ontario is providing more safe places for truck drivers to stop and rest across the province and is keeping all 23 ONroute travel plazas open for take-out, grab and go and drive-through services, including washrooms with enhanced cleaning. Portable washrooms will be provided at 32 truck inspection stations so trucks have a place to stop and rest safely.

These actions build on measures announced last month that allow the 24-hour delivery of goods without the restrictions of municipal noise by-laws, and the extension of the validation of driver’s licences, Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration certificates and other products that expired on or after March 1, 2020.