Greetings to the Membership,
As we roll into August, I want to reflect on what’s been a very active and productive June and July. Several important meetings were held with the City of Winnipeg regarding upcoming tenders. Your City of Winnipeg Committee members raised key concerns, including the need for rate increases across all equipment categories. We strongly believe these should align with the increases recently awarded to Manitoba Heavy under their roadwork tenders.
Another major topic was communication breakdowns between city foremen and management. Too often, we hear of delays and confusion at the operational level—particularly when it comes to mobilizing equipment for snow clearing or sanding operations. These are predictable needs, yet critical decisions are being held up because frontline managers lack the authority to initiate callouts. This results in wasted time and missed opportunities as contractors scramble to locate operators—many of whom were available but returned home due to uncertainty.
Jean Luc Lambert, our Contract Administrator for the City of Winnipeg, has acknowledged these issues. We remain optimistic that steps will be taken to empower decision-makers on the ground and streamline the call-out process. We’ll continue to monitor progress closely and encourage ongoing feedback from members bidding on City tenders.
In other developments, I attended several meetings with PTTAC—the Professional Truck Training Alliance of Canada, which just marked its first anniversary. With 57 members and counting, this group is rapidly gaining momentum across the country. PTTAC is actively engaging with both federal and provincial governments to raise training standards and improve compliance nationwide. A national instructor certification standard is long overdue, as is increased funding for truck training programs. We must all contribute to building a safer, more professional future for truck driver training in Canada.
A sincere thank you goes out to everyone who participated in our recent education sessions with Manitoba Motor Carrier Enforcement—first in Steinbach, then in Winnipeg just two weeks ago. These sessions were designed to help you understand your responsibilities as operators and owners, and what to expect during roadside inspections. The work done by Motor Carrier helps keep our roads safe by ensuring non-compliant and unsafe vehicles are removed until they meet standards. That commitment to safety should reassure everyone—whether you’re on the road at midday or midnight.
We also want to recognize the incredible work of our office staff, committee members, and sponsors. Your ongoing dedication is what keeps our Association strong and growing. Every event takes planning, people, and support—and your efforts don’t go unnoticed. Thank you for all you do!
As summer continues, I hope you’re able to enjoy some well-earned downtime and take in the warm, lazy days of August. As always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me, any member of the staff, or your Association Executive with questions or suggestions.
Until next month, stay safe and stay connected.
Best regards,
Bruce Henley
Stakeholder Relations Manager
