NATIONAL NEWS

New BC policy for long wheelbase tractors
The BC Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement (CVSE) branch has created a new policy for long wheelbase tractors (i.e., those over 6.2 metres in length) for all carriers. The new policy is consistent with those in Eastern Canada that allow the wheelbase of the truck tractor to exceed 6.2 metres as long as the wheelbase of the semi-trailer is reduced accordingly. The overall length of the vehicle combination cannot exceed the current maximum length of 23 metres for conventional truck tractor-semi-trailer combinations. All other BC regulations regarding vehicle combinations apply.

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Mob-related fraud
Several carriers across Canada have reported being scammed by carrier-brokers, some with alleged links to Eastern European mafia groups.

It has been reported that a carrier, formerly of Dartmouth, NS, has been double-brokering freight for a number of months. Over a dozen carriers have reported them for non-payment. It was also reported that independent security companies have investigated and noticed loads were double-brokered to several carriers for as much as $1,900 more than the original price.

There are unverifiable reports in the industry that this case has similarities to other occurrences last year in the Montreal area.