http://www.aacb.com/Bringing Cross-Border Opportunities to You. Business Without Borders.en-usafan@aacb.com?2005 A & A Contract Customs Brokers Ltd.Sat, 4 Feb 2012 3:48:06 PDT5http://www.aacb.com/images/PoweredByAA.gif15546http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1595http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1595
What was lost in all the responses by the various associations, however, was how the new rule would affect the individual driver’s day-to-day.

And as most will agree, the entire trucking industry depends on how well a driver can drive day in and day out.

I spoke with Alan Goodhall, a driver for J&R Halll Transportation, to get his thoughts on the changes, and while the rule changes will affect drivers differently, depending on what and where they run, Goodhall did provide some valuable insight.

He has a dedicated run from Ayr, ON., to Winnipeg, MN every week in which he cuts through stateside. His miles, he said, are split pretty much fifty-fifty Canada/U.S.

For roughly 80 percent of the time, it looks like drivers are going to meet the requirements of the new rules without having to think about it, Goodhall said, "Most drivers out there prefer to sleep at night and drive through the day, so meeting the 1a.m. to 5 a.m. provision probably won’t be too much of a burden."

But, he asks, what happens if you work primarily nights doing open board work and want to start a reset at 7:00 a.m? "A driver like that will end up doing a 46-hour reset in order to remain in compliance. That’s a problem.

When I did open board work running the Canadian west I preferred night driving in winter to avoid traffic volume to better deal with mountain weather and road conditions," he explains. "If I picked up a U.S. bound load in Vancouver, Calgary or Edmonton, I would now be bound to taking two days off prior to crossing the border when resetting.

"Glad I don’t do that anymore."

Source: Today’sTrucking.com]]>Fri, 3 Feb 2012 18:41:00 -0800http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1594http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1594
Latest development in battle between MDOT, bridge owner

The Michigan Department of Transportation said it will build an off-ramp connecting the Ambassador Bridge, the busiest U.S.-Canada crossing, to two interstate highways within the next few months.

MDOT received the federal go-ahead after Detroit International Bridge Co., the owner of the bridge, deeded the property to the department. MDOT and DIBC have battled over who should have to build the bridge for two years, with the fight most recently leading to the brief jailing of bridge owner, Manuel ?Matty? Moroun.

The ramp is a component in the Gateway Project, which is designed to route traffic on elevated roadways to reduce congestion on city streets. MDOT said that the company still has to start work on other access points and a roadway leading to the bridge.

The department said construction will begin construction on the ramp as soon as a contract is let, and the state is expediting the contracting process.

Contact R.G. Edmonson at bedmonson@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobinWash.

Source: CSCB Website News]]>Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:46:00 -0800http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1593http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1593
CALGARY ? The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today is meeting with business leaders in Calgary, following successful similar meetings in Montreal and Vancouver earlier in the week. Through these meetings, Minister Lebel and his colleagues are consulting with Canadians on the best way to continue to create jobs and economic growth.

"The Harper government is staying focused on what matters most to Canadians ? the economy," said Minister Lebel. "With the global economy still fragile, we continue to focus on creating jobs and economic growth."

Leading up to the next federal budget, the Harper government is holding consultations with Canadians from coast to coast on the economy. Led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Finance Minister Jim Flaherty, the consultations are an opportunity for Canadians to provide their views on the best way to create jobs and economic growth.

The government also believes that one of the best ways to create jobs in Canada is by investing in infrastructure. This means investing in the safety and security of Canada’s roads, transit systems and bridges. A prime example of this is the government’s recent announcement of the construction of a new bridge for the St. Lawrence, which will be a major investment in Canada’s economic prosperity.

"Since July 2009, Canadian entrepreneurs, businesses and others have created almost 600,000 new jobs," said Minister Lebel. "This week, through cross-country consultations, I have been gathering valuable feedback from Canadians on the best way to strengthen the Canadian economy, which will aid in the preparation of the next federal budget."

In order to ensure that all Canadians can participate in this process, the Harper government has also launched online pre-budget consultations. Those wishing to make submissions can do so by visiting www.fin.gc.ca/prebudget-prebudgetaire/1-eng.asp.

Source: Transport Canada]]>Thu, 26 Jan 2012 11:47:00 -0800http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1592http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1592
In the coming months, the CBSA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be providing more information on the new ISPM 15 requirements. They encourage you to start sourcing supplies of ISPM 15-compliant WPM to ensure shipments are compliant once full implementation and enforcement activities commence. For more information, please visit the CBSA Web site at: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/security-securite/wp-meb-eng.html

Source: CIFFA Website News]]>Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:40:00 -0800http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1591http://www.aacb.com/publications/cc/article.asp?id=1591
?When fully implemented, eManifest will be a virtually paperless process that starts before shipments even reach the border and will improve two-way communications between trade and the CBSA,? said Cathy Munroe, Vice-President, Programs Branch. ?By rigorously performing risk assessments on advance commercial information, the CBSA?s border services officers will be better able to ensure that shipments identified as being of unknown and high-risk are examined and low-risk, legitimate goods cross the border more efficiently.?

CBSA also recently made electronic data transmission requirements easier to achieve with the launch of its internet-based eManifest Portal. The eManifest Portal allows businesses to electronically submit their cargo and conveyance data to the CBSA via its Web site.

eManifest is a major Crown project that is improving the way commercial goods coming into Canada are processed while enhancing the safety and security of Canadians and international trade.

For more information on eManifest requirements, visit the CBSA Web site at www.cbsa.gc.ca.

Source: CBSA Website ]]>Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:37:00 -0800