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In 2014, Canadian for-hire carriers moved 276.2 billion tonne-km of freight, which was up 9.9% from 2013 and approximately 40% of that was international. In 2015, the value of trucking traffic between Canada and the U.S. was up 10.5% from 2014. 410 billion dollars, in total in 2015. $206 billion for exports and $204 billion in imports. 

Our roadways continue to be the dominant mode of transportation for moving goods between Canada and the U.S . and world wide. This industry is crucial to keeping things moving, and keeping the things consumers need and want on our stores shelves. 

A shut down of the trucking industry would have immediate and devastating impacts on the food, healthcare, retail, waste removal, manufacturing and financial sectors. 

An excerpt from the Americas Truckers Association report stated that:

In as little as 3 days, significant food shortages, especially perishable items will occur.

Clean drinking water will run out in 2- 4 weeks.

Health Care, (hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies ) will all be affected, some in as little as 24 hours.

Service stations fuel supplies will start to run out in just 1-2 days, and with fuel shortages, secondary effects would occur.

Retail, manufacturing, and economy will be disrupted and delayed, some within hours, and even the financial sectors will be greatly impacted.

This impact is not just in the U.S., but world wide. We need to realize just how important the industry is, as well as all the supporting industries. 

The Canadian Trucking Alliance released a study showing that by 2024, just 5 years from now, the driver shortage will be 34 000, which could rise to 48 000 depending on trends that could affect the industry. These shortages are happening far quicker than initially believed. The ratio of younger to older drivers is constantly increasing. 

As the shortages, of drivers increase, the risks of the economic and social decline increase, and everyone is affected. There are concerns within the industry that are causing the new, younger driver to look at and possibly reconsider a career in the transportation industry, and we are serious about wanting to address these concerns, so that the industry will start to thrive once again.  

One of the concerns that we would like to address is the issue of Trade Recognition, and what that could mean for the "occupational attractiveness" within the industry. Safety is a major concern in the industy and standardized training can address this issue.  

If we all stand as one, positive changes can occur, and the industry that is struggling, can flourish and the benefits will be passed down to everyone.

Stats and information gathered from the Transport Canada article ({pdf}Transportation Canada 2015- Overview Report), SHTFplan.com article (When the Trucks Stop, America Will Stop {With Immediate and Catastrophic Consequences}),Truck News.com artice (CTA study predicts driver shortage to be worse than previous thought) www.tc.gc.ca , www.trucknews.com , www.shtfplan.com

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