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Motor Carrier Policy

Freight Integration and Motor Carrier Policy

In Canada, jurisdiction over motor carriers (truck and bus operators) is shared between the federal government and the provinces. However, the federal role is largely one of coordination and facilitation. Federal legislation, the Motor Vehicle Transport Act (MVTA) allows provinces to apply their own rules and regulations to motor carriers in federal jurisdiction, subject to the conditions set in the Act.

Motor Carrier Policy is one of two groups within Transport Canada that is directly concerned with matters relating to the MVTA, the other being the Road Safety Group.

Activities

  • Monitor and provide policy advise on motor carrier regulatory issues that are not directly related to safety, such as vehicle weights and dimensions (mainly a provincial issue), economic regulation of the intercity and charter bus industry, and the transportation provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade.
  • Main source of federal information on the Conditions of Carriage Regulations which apply only to the conditions of carriage for the movement of goods by truck.
  • Shared responsibility for the motor carrier aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
  • Monitor developments in Canada-United States-Mexico which could have an impact on Canadian motor carriers.

Studies

Relevant Links

Contact

For additional information, please contact Joe Greenough (joe.greenough@tc.gc.ca).

Date modified:
2010-08-04