Trucker Vaccine Mandates Wreak Havoc on Canadian Business

Toronto--The Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada (CCMBC) is calling for the immediate cancellation of the federal government’s vaccine mandate for Canadian truck drivers. In less than a week, the reduction in truck transportation capacity has become a major impediment to many industries. “While much of the public focus is, understandably, on the availability of food and other essential consumer products, businesses in a wide range of industries have also become acutely aware of the constraints imposed on their operations because of a shortage of availability of truck transportation” said Jocelyn Bamford, founder of the CCMBC.

---

The longer the vaccine mandate on truck drivers remains in place, the greater the disruption to already-compromised supply chains and businesses

The fact that the US has imposed a comparable vaccine mandate on truckers in that nation has also had a serious impact in Canada. “The Canadian government seems unaware that US customers of Canadian companies arrange their trucking with American trucking companies. The vaccine mandate for truckers has greatly complicated this as only 50 to 60 per cent of US truckers are vaccinated. The Canadian and US governments need to better co-ordinate their actions to ensure the continuation of the flow of goods between the two countries”, Bamford stated. CCMBC President Catherine Swift added “For the last two years, truckers have rightly been recognized as a key group of pandemic heroes, who kept working under difficult circumstances to ensure vital supplies continued to be delivered to families and businesses, without concern for drivers’ vaccination status. It is a mystery as to why the Trudeau government suddenly decided these individuals, who typically spend most of their working day alone with minimal contact with anyone else, need to be subject to a mandatory vaccine requirement. This government action is especially questionable considering the vast majority of Canadian truck drivers are vaccinated, the virus is weakening in intensity and most governments are looking to reduce pandemic-related restrictions, not increase them.” The support that has been shown by many Canadians for the truckers protesting the vaccination mandate has been widespread and indicative not only of opposition to this recent government policy change but more broadly to the heavy-handed policies of many Canadian governments in contrast with other countries which have taken a more open approach. Prime Minister Trudeau’s characterization of this protest as that of a “fringe minority” with “unacceptable views” is inaccurate and insulting to many Canadians. The longer the vaccine mandate on truck drivers remains in place, the greater the disruption to already-compromised supply chains and businesses in all sectors that are working hard to keep their businesses running, maintain employment and continue to contribute to Canadian prosperity. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Catherine Swift @ 416-816-7248 or swifty4488@outlook.com

---