Trucker vaccine mandate confusion left industry scrambling, some drivers quarantining
Conflicting messaging from federal officials in the days leading up to the implementation of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for truckers left transport companies scrambling to recall drivers, and as a result some have had to quarantine, according to one industry group.
The Private Motor Truck Council of Canada just completed an informal survey of its membership in Canada’s trucking workforce in an effort to establish the current vaccination rate and the impact of the confusion leading up to the policy coming into effect.
In response, the council heard from 70 companies. Of those, 25 had dispatched a total of 156 unvaccinated drivers to the U.S. during the approximately 16-hour window in which it was believed that the government had backed down from the contentious policy.
This confusion started after the Canada Border Services Agency told reporters on Jan. 12 that unvaccinated Canadian truck drivers arriving at the border from the U.S. would be exempted from any testing or quarantine requirements when the new policy came into effect on Jan. 15.
However, on Jan. 13 federal ministers issued a statement saying that CBSA had erred, and as was initially announced, unvaccinated Canadian truckers would not be exempted.
After learning that exemptions wouldn’t be offered, drivers scrambled to get back across the border before the mandate came into effect, and companies had to make arrangements to have the unvaccinated drivers’ loads picked up by other drivers, at their own cost.
Ultimately, of those surveyed, 15 drivers were placed in a 14-day quarantine after crossing back into Canada and have been unable to work.
“We already have a shortage, and the shortage just became worse,” Mike Millian, president of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, told CTVNews.ca in an interview.
Millian had asked for a temporary exemption for those unvaccinated truckers who were dispatched during this window, but the federal government said no.
There has been a temporary agreement, however, to allow drivers coming across with full trucks to complete their deliveries.
Under this allowance, drivers have been told at the border that they can continue driving to their delivery destination while following strict public health measures and then once the load is dropped off, have to immediately drive to their place of quarantine.
Going forward though, trucking companies will likely only be sending vaccinated driver across the border, Millian said. But in some fleets, cross-border work is all that they do and they may not be able to offer them other routes.
“Some of them will be without employment. Some of them will try to find domestic jobs where they only work in Canada, however there's a mandate looming on that as well… We don't know when that's coming, but if they go forward with that mandate [on the federally-regulated trucking industry] then there won't be work for them in the domestic field either, unless they can find a job working for a company that is provincially regulated,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sought to defend the government’s policy and handling of the flip-flopping messaging on Wednesday, saying that the “miscommunication” was “quickly corrected.”
“We have been clear for many, many months, since back in November, that the exemption for truckers to not be vaccinated would be ending in January,” he said, adding that trucking and logistics companies have long known what the rules would be.
While trucking groups as well as manufacturing and exporting organizations have voiced their support for vaccination, they’ve noted that as is the case in the general population, not all of their workers will roll up their sleeves.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance has estimated that due to the vaccination requirement, an estimated 12,000 Canadian truckers and upwards of tens of thousands more from the U.S. will be unable to work cross-border shipping routes.
Based on the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada’s latest survey, the number of unvaccinated drivers could be higher than previously estimated. Overall, the vaccination rate among those who responded to the survey was 75 per cent.
Millian said that of the 70 fleets who responded—ranging from two to 3,500 drivers per company— 23 per cent have indicated they have their own vaccine mandates in place. Four of these fleets reported that all of their drivers were fully vaccinated, while one company reported that just three per cent of its drivers have been vaccinated.
Some companies have offered bonuses to their drivers to get vaccinated, Millian said.
Under the federal policy, unvaccinated Canadian truckers have to “meet requirements for pre-entry, arrival and day eight testing, as well as quarantine requirements,” as they can’t be denied entry into Canada.
Unvaccinated or partially-vaccinated non-Canadian truckers are being turned away if they are unable to show proof of immunization or a valid medical contraindication to the COVID-19 vaccines.
The United States is set to roll out a mirroring policy on Jan. 22 that is expected to result in unvaccinated Canadian truckers being unable to cross the border.
FEWER DRIVERS MEANS HIGHER PRICES
Cross-border trucking organizations have been sounding alarm bells over the policy since it was first announced in November, saying that requiring drivers to be vaccinated against COVID-19 would sideline thousands of drivers, exacerbating the pre-existing pandemic-related trucker shortage, and lead to serious strains on the supply chain.
Throughout the pandemic, the government has considered truck drivers to be an essential service and as a result these drivers have been exempted from COVID-19 border restrictions, because they are responsible for bringing across approximately 80 per cent of the annual $648 billion in Canada-U.S. trade, including food and other key supplies.
With inflation already leading to price increases on some everyday items, the now worsened driver shortage means companies will be bidding for trucks to send the same amount of freight across the border, with fewer drivers to do so, at a cost.
“Those that are lucky enough to get a truck to bring that product across, are going to have to pay more to do so. And if they pay more to do so, they're going to have to pass that cost along to the consumer because the shipper can't afford to eat it,” he said.
“I think we’re going to see two things: We're going to see shortages on our shelves… and we’re going to see increased costs.”
One example where shortages are already being reported is fresh fruits and vegetables.
“The only ones that are growing here are in greenhouses, it’s the busiest time of year for those food products to be coming across the border,” he said.
Despite these concerns, Trudeau—repeating assurances that his ministers have also made—said Wednesday that the government will “make sure that we are getting what we need in Canada while as always, putting the safety and health of Canadians as our top priority.”
Meanwhile, a so-called “freedom convoy” is being planned by truckers and supported by anti-vaccine mandate groups, with the intention of drivers travelling to Ottawa from across the country in protest of the mandate.
According to a fundraising page as of Thursday afternoon more than $670,000 has been raised to fund the costs of “fuel, food and lodgings” for those making the trip.
The convoy plans to arrive in Ottawa on Jan. 29 with the intention of “taking our fight to the doorsteps of our federal government and demanding that they cease all mandates against its people.”
Parliament is not back in session until Jan. 31.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
Who is supporting, opposing new online harms bill?
Now that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's sweeping online harms legislation is before Parliament, allowing key stakeholders, major platforms, and Canadians with direct personal experience with abuse to dig in and see what's being proposed, reaction is streaming in. CTVNews.ca has rounded up reaction, and here's how Bill C-63 is going over.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.
Local Spotlight
UBC football star turning heads in lead up to NFL draft
At 6'8" and 350 pounds, there is nothing typical about UBC offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, who was born in Tonga and went to high school in Pitt Meadows.
Cat found at Pearson airport 3 days after going missing
Kevin the cat has been reunited with his family after enduring a harrowing three-day ordeal while lost at Toronto Pearson International Airport earlier this week.
Molly on a mission: N.S. student collecting books about women in sport for school library
Molly Knight, a grade four student in Nova Scotia, noticed her school library did not have many books on female athletes, so she started her own book drive in hopes of changing that.
Where did the gold go? Crime expert weighs in on unfolding Pearson airport heist investigation
Almost 7,000 bars of pure gold were stolen from Pearson International Airport exactly one year ago during an elaborate heist, but so far only a tiny fraction of that stolen loot has been found.
Marmot in the city: New resident of North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale a 'rock star rodent'
When Les Robertson was walking home from the gym in North Vancouver's Lower Lonsdale neighbourhood three weeks ago, he did a double take. Standing near a burrow it had dug in a vacant lot near East 1st Street and St. Georges Avenue was a yellow-bellied marmot.
Relocated seal returns to Greater Victoria after 'astonishing' 204-kilometre trek
A moulting seal who was relocated after drawing daily crowds of onlookers in Greater Victoria has made a surprise return, after what officials described as an 'astonishing' six-day journey.
Ottawa barber shop steps away from Parliament Hill marks 100 years in business
Just steps from Parliament Hill is a barber shop that for the last 100 years has catered to everyone from prime ministers to tourists.
'It was a special game': Edmonton pinball player celebrates high score and shout out from game designer
A high score on a Foo Fighters pinball machine has Edmonton player Dave Formenti on a high.
'How much time do we have?': 'Contamination' in Prairie groundwater identified
A compound used to treat sour gas that's been linked to fertility issues in cattle has been found throughout groundwater in the Prairies, according to a new study.