ELDs Mandatory in Canada Starting in June 2021
"These new mandatory logging devices in commercial vehicles will improve safety for drivers and for all Canadians," said Marc Garneau, Canada's minister of Transport. "We know that fatigue increases the risks of accidents, and that is why we are taking action across all modes of transportation."
Marc Garneau, Canada's minister of Transport, announced June 13 he is mandating the use of electronic logging devices by federally regulated commercial truck and bus operators. Commercial driver fatigue has long been a concern, and the requirement will help to address that safety issue, according to Transport Canada's news release.
The requirement will take effect June 12, 2021. ELDs will replace paper-based daily logbooks. The requirement builds on a regulatory proposal that was published in December 2017 and results from collaboration among all levels of government and industry partners. It also addresses a Saskatchewan Coroners Service recommendation following the truck-bus collision in April 2018 involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team. The crash killed 16 people and injured 13 others.
"These new mandatory logging devices in commercial vehicles will improve safety for drivers and for all Canadians," Garneau said. "Collaboration with stakeholders and partners was key to putting these regulations in place. I thank my provincial and territorial colleagues in helping to develop this technical standard and look forward to them introducing this requirement for operators within their jurisdictions. We know that fatigue increases the risks of accidents, and that is why we are taking action across all modes of transportation."
Electronic logging devices are tamper-resistant devices that are integrated into commercial vehicle engines. They are intended to ensure that commercial drivers drive within their daily limit, complying with Canada's Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations, and accurately log their working hours by tracking when and how long drivers have been at the wheel. According to Transport Canada, the devices also reduce administrative burdens, such as eliminating the need for paper daily logs and reducing the time enforcement officers need to verify regulatory compliance.
Mandating them also aligns Canadian regulations with the United States' road safety regulations.
"The vast majority of our companies and drivers in our industry fully comply with hours of service rules, but undoubtedly the implementation of tamper-proof, third-party electronic logging devices will further enhance safety and help ensure all drivers and companies hold themselves to the highest levels of compliance," said Scott Smith, who chairs the Canadian Trucking Alliance. Mike Millian, president of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, said the regulation "will help to level the playing field for compliant carriers and allow them to compete with rates that are achievable in the legal environment they operate in. It will help enforcement officers more easily verify compliance and remove those operators from the road who are not operating legally, improving road safety for all users."