Canada court sides with Vancouver port in truck licensing dispute

Canada court sides with Vancouver port in truck licensing dispute    In a decision handed down on Friday, the Federal Court of Canada has sided with the Government of Canada and Vancouver Port Authority on the validity of the Federal Cabinet ordering an end to last summer’s container trucking dispute, the VPA said this week.
   The judgment also confirmed the VPA’s authority to implement a trucker licensing system. The court held that it was permissible for the VPA to require trucking companies to sign on to a mediator agreement establishing rates paid to container truck drivers in the lower mainland.
   The decision is a victory for communities, retailers, businesses and families who depend on the port, Chris Badger, the VPAs vice president of customer development and operations, said in a statement.
   Two trucking companies – Pro West Transport Ltd. and Team Transport Services Ltd. – applied for judicial review of a Cabinet order under section 47 of the Canada Transportation Act that facilitated an end to last summer’s container trucking dispute.
   The court’s decision means that the VPA can continue its licensing system and reinforces the arbitration boards jurisdiction to settle disputes under the Memorandum of Agreement, including rate-cutting allegations.
   The decision will complement the Strategic Trucking Initiative, the port enacted to address the issues underlying the trucking dispute, Badger said. Under this initiative, the port has already extended hours of operation at container terminal truck gates by 40 percent and is quickly introducing a reservation system and truck safety improvements, as well as emission reduction programs.