Canadian truckers crossing U.S. border will not be required to submit proof of vaccination

The move will force any drivers without proof of vaccination to quarantine at the border.

There are concerns within the trucking industry that the mandate will further contribute to supply chain shortages.

The trucking industry is facing a serious shortage of drivers.

CHAT News spoke to Chris Nash with the Alberta Motor Transport Association who anticipated a significant impact.

“We still need to reach and educate folks that we support the vaccination but, in order to not impact the supply chain we’d be looking to maybe extend this exemption a little bit longer to make sure we don’t have an already fragile supply chain that started before COVID. At the end of the day the importance of the supply chain can’t be overlooked.”

Nash says that with all the factors impacting the supply chain right now such as the B.C. floods and chip shortages that adding another layer is not going to help the situation.

“As an association we support the need for vaccination. The challenge we have with the border crossing is that the industry is not quite ready yet for the update not to impact the supply chain.”

The trucking industry is facing a serious shortage of drivers and the ATMA President expects a potential loss of ten to fifteen per cent of drivers leaving the industry as a result of the new mandate.

According to the latest stats from Trucking HR Canada, there are almost 23,000 vacancies nation-wide.

In Alberta, there are almost 4,000 openings for truckers.

by Gavin Miller

Canadian truckers crossing U.S. border will not be required to submit proof of vaccination

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