Department of Natural Resources
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Released: 11 August, 2003

Government of Canada Partners With Canadian Trucking Alliance on Energy Efficiency

OTTAWA — As Canadian fleet operators “keep on truckin’” this summer, they will be doing their part to address climate change. The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), today announced the signing of an agreement between NRCan and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) that will save energy and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Climate change is a responsibility that we all share. Cooperation between governments and the private sector is key if we want to make a real difference,” said Minister Dhaliwal. “Today’s commitment by the CTA to engage its members in meaningful action shows how one industry can help Canada address climate change and, at the same time, improve the quality of life for all Canadians.”

The agreement reflects the intention of NRCan and the CTA to play a leadership role in energy-efficiency initiatives to reduce the GHG emissions that cause climate change. Efforts will focus on the following:

• supporting Canada’s commitment to stabilizing emissions;
• heightening members’ understanding of how energy efficiency relates to climate change;
• developing cost-effective and flexible voluntary actions;
• implementing a national training and awareness program for trucking companies that emphasizes cooperation and partnerships; and
• working to identify and reduce barriers to more efficient practices.

“We recognize that more needs to be done to reduce GHG emissions and this agreement provides the impetus to do just that,” stated David Bradley, Canadian Trucking Alliance President. “While the trucking industry has taken many steps to improve air quality through improved engines and fuel, this initiative gives our fleet members the chance to demonstrate their good corporate citizenship and preserve the environment by reducing greenhouse gases.”

This agreement, negotiated under the Government of Canada’s Action Plan on Climate Change, will be implemented through NRCan’s FleetSmart program. Created in 1997, the program has as its goal to improve energy efficiency and reduce operating expenses among the more than two million vehicle fleet owners in Canada. Activities identify economic opportunities to reduce fuel use and track these reductions within fleet sectors through partnerships with industry, provincial and international governments. Participation in this program is voluntary, in keeping with Canadian industry’s request to address climate change in a cost-effective, non-regulatory way.

The CTA is a federation of Canada’s regional and provincial for-hire trucking associations representing some 4,000 motor carriers from all regions of the country. With headquarters in Ottawa and offices in Moncton, Montréal, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Calgary and Vancouver, CTA represents the industry on a broad range of policy issues at both the national and international levels.

This initiative advances the Government of Canada’s commitment to the sustainable development of our natural resources — contributing to their economic importance and to a strong society and communities through knowledge, innovation, technology and international leadership. By integrating our economic, social and environmental goals, we can ensure our quality of life and build the Canada we want, for ourselves and for future generations.

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