MANITOBA NEWS

GrEEEn Trucking Program relaunches
On September 15, the Province of Manitoba launched Phase Two of the GrEEEn (Economic and Environmentally Efficient) Trucking Program. The MTA, together with the Province, the Centre for Sustainable Transportation, and the University of Manitoba’s Transport Institute launched the program in spring 2009. The spring application intake ended in July, and the fall application period began on September 15 (ending November 30). Request for Payment information is to be submitted no later than January 30, 2010.

The program offers a flexible way for Manitoba’s trucking industry to combine technologies, enhance efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. It offers incentives on green technologies that can be costly and difficult to implement.

Participants are required to invest a minimum of $2,000 in technologies to be eligible for rebates, which range from 15% to 25% (maximum: $2,500 per unit) of the company’s capital investment.

For more information, visit www.grEEEntrucking.ca.

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LCV permit update
As a result of efforts by the MTA, Manitoba Infrastructure & Transportation (MIT) has allowed the use of wide-based single tires (wider than 445 mm) on permitted equipment. The LCV permits will have a special condition added, detailing the formula used for calculating the applicable allowable weights.

MIT has stated it is committed to assisting its environmental footprint, while improving the efficient, profitable and sustainable transport of goods. MIT will balance these goals with ensuring the continued safety of all road users and the preservation of the highway infrastructure.

Any questions on the LCV policy may be directed to Kerry Weiss, Manager Permit Services at 204-945-8030.

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Award of Excellence
Patrick Bohan, Chairman of the CITT National Board of Directors has announced that Darren E. Christle, CITT, has been named the recipient of this year’s Award of Excellence. The award is presented annually to the member who best exemplifies a strong commitment to the logistics profession and to CITT.

Darren is currently the Executive Director of the Motor Carrier Division of the Manitoba Department of Infrastructure & Transportation.

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MTA announces scholarship winners
Nine deserving individuals have been awarded scholarships by the MTA. These scholarships are offered by the MTA to member employees and their dependants to recognize the contribution of member firms to the trucking industry. The scholarships are offered in two categories: Academic awards and Apprenticeship awards.

The winners of the Academic Scholarships were Sara Janssen (Canadian Freightways), Serena Klippenstein (Kenworth Custom Truck Sales), Eric Williams (Arnold Bros). The recipient of the Winnipeg Transportation Club Scholarship is Justin Blagden (Bison Transport), and Anton Kapustin is the winner of the Edward Ewanochko Scholarship (TransX). Winner of the Level 1 Transport Trailer Mechanic award is Barry Biswanger (of Kleysen Transportation Solutions) and Tim Janzen is the recipient of the Level 1 Transport Truck Mechanic award (Maxim Truck and Trailer). The Level 2 Transport Truck Mechanic award winner is Ronnie Bennett (Maxim Truck and Trailer), and the Level 2 Transport Trailer Mechanic award goes to Andrew Pries (Big Freight Systems).

Academic scholarships are awarded to applicants with the highest overall average in 4-40S subjects. The apprenticeship scholarships are awarded to the top Level 1 and Level 2 graduates in the Transport Truck Mechanic and Trailer Mechanic Apprenticeship program. The continued fundraising efforts and the support to the future of the trucking industry by the Associated Trades Division and the Vehicle Maintenance Council (VMC) allow these scholarships to be offered through the MTA every year. The Associated Trades Division generously sponsors the scholarship awards in the amount of $1000 each, as well as two Level 2 apprenticeship awards, also in the amount of $1000 each. The VMC sponsors two awards in the amount of $500 each, plus a $500 gift certificate for Brookside Tool Sales to apprentices in the Level 1 Transport Truck Mechanic and Transport Trailer Mechanic Apprenticeships program.

In addition, the Edward M. Ewanochko Transportation Scholarship was created in honour of Edward Ewanochko, a seminal figure in the development of transportation risk management programs in Manitoba, to promote professional growth within the industry. The Winnipeg Transportation Club Scholarship is given to aid students either planning to study or already pursuing post-secondary education in a field related to the transportation industry. The selection of these two scholarship recipients is based on a combination of academics, community involvement and financial need.

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Welcome new members
Welcome to the following new members of the MTA:

PSV Member
JTI Trucking, Steinbach, MB
Run-Rite Freight Systems Inc., Winnipeg, MB

Associate Members
Envirotec Services Inc., Saskatoon, SK
People First HR Services Ltd., Winnipeg, MB