Steering Change

AMTA’s Kelsey Hipkin kicks off the first episode of our special three-part series - Trucking: Past, Present, and Future.

To know Alberta’s trucking past is to know the individuals who built the foundation of what commercial transportation represents today. 

In this episode, we take a trip down commercial transportation memory lane in Alberta – and we’re doing that with some actual voices of Alberta’s Commercial Transportation past, including those who continue to support and advance industry after years in the field. 

 
 *All photos and recordings used in this episode are from the AMTA archives.

If you would like to delve even deeper into the voices of the past, we encourage you to read "Big Wheels Across the Prairie: A History of Trucking in Alberta" by Paul M. Rubak, a former recipient of the AMTA Historical Award.

• Volunteer registration is now open and filling fast for AMTA’s Driver Appreciation Days, taking place Sept. 8-17. The only locations yet to fill all volunteer slots are Dunmore, Whitecourt, and Hinton. Learn more and register now: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-driver-appreciation-days-2025.
• Curious about the various AMTA memberships or how you can get involved? Reach out to [email protected] for more information.

 If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

 If you would like to sign up for our bi-weekly eNews and stay on top of all things AMTA, register here: https://www.amta.ca/#enews.  

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions, and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen. We encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with Andrew Barnes, Sr. Advisor, Compliance and Regulatory Affairs, AMTA.

In our conversation, we discuss the biggest commercial transportation issues we’re seeing when it comes to interprovincial trade barriers, takeaways from this year’s Canadian Council of Motor Transportation Administrators conference, collaboration with other provinces, and what it will take to move forward on infrastructure disparities, and more!

If you would like to contact Andy to learn more about what is discussed in this episode or to discuss any issues you are having, please reach out to him at [email protected]. The voices of our Carrier Members are critical to informing us of issues that need to change in our industry.

 As Andy mentions, our Member Services team at AMTA is ready to be a resource for you and your company and help in any way we can. Please contact us at [email protected], or visit amta.ca for more information and resources.

Visit the Government of British Columbia website to view the Road Transport Manual: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/vehicle-safety-enforcement/information-education/commercial-transport-procedures

If you would like to sign up for our bi-weekly eNews and stay on top of all things AMTA, register here: https://www.amta.ca/#enews.  

• AMTA’s Draw Down Dinner is returning. We look forward to seeing you on October 16 at the River Cree Resort and Casino for networking, dinner, entertainment, and prizes. Registration opens in mid-July, so keep an eye on amta.ca and our social media.
• Keep an eye out for details coming soon for AMTA’s Driver Appreciation Days taking place September 8-17, 2025. Learn more: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-driver-appreciation-days-2025 
• Coming up next on Steering Change, we will be presenting a three-part series - Trucking: Past, Present, and Future. Join us as we hear from the voices of Alberta’s Commercial Transportation past, what AMTA and industry are up to today, and what industry can expect when it comes to the future of transportation in Alberta, and beyond.

 If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions, and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen. We encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

**Trigger warning: this episode contains a special segment that discusses human trafficking, sexual assault, and bodily harm.

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with returning Steering Change guest, Deborah Nilsen, Industry Specialist, Workers’ Compensation Board - Alberta (WCB).

We have noticed that at each event, specifically our Safety Summits, where Deb and/or her colleagues present, there are many questions as a follow-up. So we posed the question on our AMTA socials and myAMTA and asked you, our Members, our listeners, and the general public, for questions for WCB-Alberta. And you delivered. 

In our conversation, we review the questions posed by our audience, including examples of modified duties and what an employer can provide for their workers, strategies for a company to cut down on their WCB premiums, what employers can do if they disagree with the outcome of a claim, and more.

As well, in this episode, we have a special segment with Heather Fry, Director of Industry Training, TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking). We discuss TAT’s Harriet Tubman Award and stories of past recipients and nominees, as well as the free training offered by TAT. *Trigger warning of human trafficking, sexual assault, and bodily harm.

If you would like to learn more about the WCB, please visit their website: www.wcb.ab.ca

To contact the WCB:

• If your main operations are North of Hwy 11 in Red Deer, your contact is:
  Deborah Nilsen
  780-498-7647
  [email protected]
• If your main operations are South of Hwy 11 in Red Deer, your contact is:
  Leigh-Ann Moroz
  403-517-6124
  [email protected]
• If your main operations are outside of the province and you have an Alberta WCB account, please contact either one. 

Resources mentioned in this video:

• Seminars and Workshops: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/resources/for-employers/seminars-and-workshops/.
• Workshops: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/millard-treatment-centre/workshops/
• Information for Employers: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/claims/review-and-appeals/for-employers/
• Training on the Job program: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/return-to-work/training-on-the-job.html
• Claim Cost Transfer form: https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/employers/A638.pdf
• The Advisor Office for Alberta Workers’ Compensation: https://advisoroffice.alberta.ca/
• View the myWCB portal: https://my.wcb.ab.ca/ess/signin.
• Check out the WCB Employer App: https://wcb.ab.ca/resources/for-employers/online-services.html.
• WCB Resource: Modified Work Generator for Trucking
• WCB Resource: 99 Things to Do When There’s Nothing To Do.
• WCB Resource: Modified Duty Task List.
• Optional worker modified duties, view AMTA’s Education and Training courses: https://www.amta.ca/courses.
• View AMTA’s Micro Learn library for psychosocial hazards (PSH), musculoskeletal injuries (MSI), and slips, trips, and falls (STF): https://www.amta.ca/micro-learn.

Learn more about TAT (Truckers Against Trafficking) and take the free training: https://tatnonprofit.org/.

• Nominate a hero for the Harriet Tubman award (the deadline is the end of July and is North America-wide): https://tatnonprofit.org/awards/#tat-hta.
• National Human Trafficking Hotline: 833-900-1010

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

• AMTA’s Edmonton Golf Tournament, happening next week on June 26, 2025, at the Links at Spruce Grove, is sold out. Hopefully, we will be able to catch you on the course next year.
• Keep an eye out for details coming soon for AMTA’s Driver Appreciation Days taking place September 8-17, 2025. Learn more: https://www.amta.ca/events/amta-driver-appreciation-days-2025 
• AMTA’s latest campaign, Spring into Safety, looks at the transition from winter to spring and how that can affect how we drive, prepare to drive, and how we interact with other road users. Be sure to check out our June 6 Steering Change episode, where we explored that further, discussing the impact of wildlife strikes, sharing the road with motorcycles, and spring clean-up. 

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions, and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen. We encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with Sgt. Scott Kallweit of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services within the Alberta Sheriffs, Sgt. Kerry Bates of the Edmonton Police Service, and AMTA’s Josh Hannaberry.

AMTA’s latest campaign, Spring into Safety, looks at the transition from winter to spring and how that can affect how we drive, prepare to drive, and how we interact with other road users. In this episode, we explore this further, discussing the impacts of wildlife strikes, sharing the road with motorcycles, and spring cleanup.

If you would like to learn more about each organization and its initiatives, visit their websites below:

• Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Services within the Alberta Sheriffs: https://www.alberta.ca/fish-wildlife-area-office-contacts 
• Edmonton Police Service: https://www.edmontonpolice.ca/ 

If you would like to learn more about the Animal-Vehicle Collision Safety Program, as discussed by Sgt. Kallweit on this episode, visit the Alberta Government website: https://www.alberta.ca/animal-vehicle-collision-safety-program
And if you have any further inquiries, please contact [email protected] for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

• AMTA’s DrawDown Dinner is returning. We look forward to seeing you on October 16 at the River Cree Resort and Casino for networking, dinner, entertainment, and prizes. Registration opens in July, so keep an eye on amta.ca and our social media.
• Have you ever wondered what exactly is involved with an AMTA Membership? Reach out to us at [email protected] with any questions you may have surrounding Supplier, Associate Carrier, Full Carrier, and AMTA Elite Memberships .

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions, and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen. We encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with Abraham Masri, Manager of Energy Transition and Sustainability at Trimac; Dave Schmidt, Western Canada RMX, Fleet and Training Manager at Lafarge Canada Inc.; Jacob Adams, Director of Sustainability and Risk and Manager of Optimization at Arrow Transportation Systems; and Terri Johnson, Manager of Industry Advancement at AMTA.

In this episode, we continue the conversation from our Carrier Successes in New Technology session at AMTA’s 87th Annual Conference last month. We discuss how these companies are the trailblazers redefining carrier success in cutting-edge technology, how emerging technologies can shape your business, and what the future holds for our industry.

If you would like to learn more about each company and their initiatives, visit their websites below or contact them directly:

• Abraham Masri, [email protected], Trima 
• Dave Schmidt, Lafarge Canada Inc.
• Jacob Adams, Arrow Transportation Systems
• Terri Johnson, [email protected], AMTA

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

• AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC), which returns May 31, 2025, celebrates 75 years of Driver Excellence!
  Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of five categories: Straight Truck, Pup Trailer Day Cab, Day Cab, Bunk Truck, and B-Train.
  Driver and Volunteer registration closes TODAY, May 23. Register now before it’s too late. Learn more about PTDC on our website, or contact [email protected].

• Dust off your clubs! AMTA's Annual Golf Tournaments are back this June! Join us at the Blue Devil Golf course in Calgary on Tuesday, June 17, and at the Links at Spruce Grove on Thursday, June 26. Whether a returning golfer or new to this event, we look forward to seeing you on the course! Register yourself or your team now on our website for Calgary or Edmonton. (Only a few spots remaining!!) For sponsorship opportunities or questions, please email [email protected].

• AMTA’s latest campaign, Spring into Safety, looks at the transition from winter to spring and how that can affect how we drive, prepare to drive, and how we interact with other road users. Stay tuned for our June 6 episode, where we explore that further, discussing impacts of wildlife strikes, sharing the road with motorcycles, and spring cleanup.

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions, and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen. We encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with our Member Solutions Team: Doug Walton, Sr. Advisor, Kristin Picken, Advisor (South), and Chad Albert, Advisor (North).

In this episode, we discuss the improvements that we have made to our membership benefits to reflect the growing value that AMTA delivers for Carriers and Suppliers in Alberta. These improvements, announced April 1, include changes to the full Carrier Member pricing and a tiered Supplier Membership opportunity. Our Member Solutions team deep dives into the changes to Carrier fees, the response from our members and Carriers so far and the importance of engagement and dialogue, the new opportunities for Suppliers with AMTA Elite, and how these benefits could impact incoming AMTA members.

If you would like to contact our Member Services team (including the lovely Helen Taylor, as mentioned in this episode), please contact [email protected], or contact our Member Solutions team directly:

• Doug Walton, Sr. Advisor: [email protected]
• Kristin Picken, Advisor (Southern Alberta): [email protected]
• Chad Albert, Advisor (Northern Alberta): [email protected]

If you have any questions about the new member value initiative, please reach out to us [email protected] or visit amta.ca/become-a-member for more details.

Have you joined myAMTA?

With the launch of the myAMTA Carrier Member Network, we have been thrilled with the number of Carrier Members that have joined us already on the platform!

This platform is designed specifically for AMTA Carrier Members and AMTA Elite Supplier Members, offering a powerful space to connect, learn, and stay updated on everything industry-related. Request access to this Network directly at my.amta.ca.

Please note: This network is exclusively for AMTA Carrier Members and AMTA Elite. If you are interested in joining our thriving community, you can apply today at amta.ca/become-a-member or email [email protected] with any questions.

• AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC), which returns May 31, 2025, celebrates 75 years of Driver Excellence!
  Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of five categories: Straight Truck, Pup Trailer Day Cab, Day Cab, Bunk Truck, and B-Train.
  Driver and Volunteer registration is open now! (Registration closes May 23)!
  Join Christina Sadlowski and our many other amazing volunteers who have already signed up and register soon, registration for both Drivers and Volunteers goes quickly. Learn more about PTDC on our website, or contact [email protected].

• Dust off your clubs! AMTA's Annual Golf Tournaments are back this June! Join us at the Blue Devil Golf course in Calgary on Tuesday, June 17, and at the Links at Spruce Grove on Thursday, June 26. Whether a returning golfer or new to this event, we look forward to seeing you on the course! Register yourself or your team now on our website for Calgary or Edmonton. (Spots fill up fast!) For sponsorship opportunities or questions, please email [email protected].

• Commercial drivers play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maintaining safety on Alberta’s roads. Each day, they navigate challenging conditions, weather, and traffic to deliver goods safely, while also taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of everyone around them. AMTA is introducing an "Angels of the Highway" program designed to celebrate and acknowledge these selfless efforts. This initiative will not only recognize the commitment truck drivers make to road safety but also empower them with the tools and resources to continue their vital work while staying healthy, safe, and supported on the road. Nominate your driver today! 

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin chats with Josh Hannaberry, AMTA’s Senior Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, and Christina Sadlowski, CTSP Advisor for Fleet Safety with Strike Group.

In this episode, we dive into Christina and Josh’s journey towards getting their Certified Transportation Safety Professional (CTSP) designations, their motivations to pursue the designation, their experience with the process, and how the program encourages collaboration among peers working toward certification.

We also discuss how the CTSP and CTSC designations highlight the diversity in commercial vehicle operations - beyond the typical tractor-trailer setups - and the unique safety needs that come with it. Plus, from an insurance and compliance angle, we dive into how the designation supports safety through both the National Safety Code (NSC) and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) frameworks.

Visit AMTA’s website if you would like to learn more about the Certified Transportation Safety Professional (CTSP) program: https://www.amta.ca/ctsp, or the Certified Transportation Safety Coordinator (CTSC) program: https://www.amta.ca/ctsc. 

With the launch of our new member value initiative, AMTA has made the CTSC and CTSP designations more attainable. This includes adjustments to full carrier fees and tiered supplier memberships, including bundled education packages with CTSC and CTSP.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us [email protected] or visit amta.ca/become-a-member for more details.

• Thank you to everyone who attended AMTA’s 87th Annual Conference at the River Cree Resort and Casino from April 8-10, 2025, in Enoch. We know many meaningful connections were made, and we always value the support in advancing commercial transportation in Alberta.

• Safety is at the forefront of commercial transportation in Alberta. Join us on May 8, 2025, at the Lethbridge Safety Summit for a full day of content, including a keynote presentation and sessions with information and tangible takeaways relevant to commercial transportation. Network with like-minded transportation professionals and explore our event tradeshow. Get your tickets now, only $30!

• AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC), which returns May 31, 2025, celebrates 75 years of Driver Excellence!
  Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of five categories: Straight Truck, Pup Trailer Day Cab, Day Cab, Bunk Truck, and B-Train.
  Driver and Volunteer registration is open now! (registration closes May 23)!
  Join Christina Sadlowski and our many other amazing volunteers who have already signed up and register soon, registration for both Drivers and Volunteers goes quickly. Learn more about PTDC on our website, or contact [email protected].

• Commercial drivers play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maintaining safety on Alberta’s roads. Each day, they navigate challenging conditions, weather, and traffic to deliver goods safely, while also taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of everyone around them. AMTA is introducing an "Angels of the Highway" program designed to celebrate and acknowledge these selfless efforts. This initiative will not only recognize the commitment truck drivers make to road safety but also empower them with the tools and resources to continue their vital work while staying healthy, safe, and supported on the road. Nominate your driver today!

• In this episode, Christina mentioned AMTA’s Driver Appreciation Days. Volunteer registration for this event, held in September each year, will open soon. In the meantime, our hunt has begun for great swag to fill the gift bags for the commercial drivers.
  With your help, we can show drivers just how appreciated they are. If you are interested in learning more and adding an item in these bags, or are interested in other sponsorship opportunities, please contact [email protected].

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin, Manager of Communications, and Erica Cormack, Manager of Education, chat with Catherine Williams, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Traffic Safety Services with Alberta’s Transportation & Economic Corridors (TEC).

In our conversation, we discuss an overview of the Class 1 Learning Pathway, which the Alberta Government officially launched as of April 1, 2025. Catherine gives us more details on why this change is being implemented, what this new pathway process will look like for prospective drivers, how this affects the goal of commercial driving being recognized as a trade, what the transition period between the current MELT program and Learning Pathways will be, and more!

To learn more about the Learning Pathways program, visit the website: https://www.alberta.ca/class-1-learning-pathway 
On this website, you can also watch the ‘Day in the Life’ videos that Catherine mentions in our conversation.

Read the News Release on the Learning Pathway for Class 1 Drivers on the Alberta Government website.
In addition, learn more about Transportation and Economic Corridors and their other programs and initiatives on their website.

• Safety is at the forefront of commercial transportation in Alberta. Join us on May 8, 2025, at the Lethbridge Safety Summit for a full day of content, including a keynote presentation and sessions with information and tangible takeaways relevant to commercial transportation. Network with like-minded transportation professionals and explore our event tradeshow. Get your tickets now, only $30!

• AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC), which returns May 31, 2025, celebrates 75 years of Driver Excellence!
  Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of five categories: Straight Truck, Pup Trailer Day Cab, Day Cab, Bunk Truck, and B-Train.
  Driver and Volunteer registration is open now! (registration closes May 23)!
  Please note registration for both Drivers and Volunteers goes quickly. Learn more about PTDC on our website, or contact [email protected].

• Commercial drivers play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maintaining safety on Alberta’s roads. Each day, they navigate challenging conditions, weather, and traffic to deliver goods safely, while also taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of everyone around them. AMTA is introducing an "Angels of the Highway" program designed to celebrate and acknowledge these selfless efforts. This initiative will not only recognize the commitment truck drivers make to road safety but also empower them with the tools and resources to continue their vital work while staying healthy, safe, and supported on the road. Nominate your driver today!

• If you have any questions on our new Member Value Launch that dropped April 1, please reach out to us [email protected] or visit amta.ca for more details.

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at: 

Web: amta.ca 

Instagram: amta_ca/  

Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation

LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin, Manager of Communications, and Doug Walton, Senior Advisor, Member Solutions, chat with Constable James Kendrick of the Edmonton Police Service.

In our conversation, we discuss something that has become an epidemic, and is affecting the safety of Alberta’s highways and beyond … distracted driving. Constable Kendrick provides examples of distracted driving that he and other officers with EPS have seen on the local roadways, some misconceptions that people have with using smartphones or ELDs and operating vehicles, and the penalties that drivers face when caught driving distracted. 

When the risk is your own and others’ lives on the road, it is not worth it. Just don’t do it.

Since January, AMTA has been behind the wheel of a Distracted Driving campaign. We’re inviting you to take a stand against distracted driving by joining us in taking the pledge to make our highways safer. It’s time for us to come together and protect what matters most – our loved ones, our communities, and our beautiful province. We can make every drive safer by not reading between the lines!

By taking the pledge against distracted driving, you’re joining our community that’s committed to safety and positive change. Submit your video or words today and make sure you share with your friends, what are you waiting for? It’s a simple step that could save a life tomorrow.

Take the Pledge

• Tickets for AMTA’s Annual Conference, April 8-10, 2025, River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, are available on our website, and tickets are going fast!
  The deadline to register for the Annual Conference or Awards Celebration is 4pm on April 1, 2025.
  Please note, our Tradeshow is officially sold out. Some sponsorship opportunities remain, please contact [email protected] to learn more.

• AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC), which returns May 31, 2025, celebrates 75 years of Driver Excellence!
  Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of five categories: Straight Truck, Pup Trailer Day Cab, Day Cab, Bunk Truck, and B-Train.
  Driver and Volunteer registration is open now! (registration closes May 23)!
  Please note registration for both Drivers and Volunteers goes quickly. Learn more about PTDC on our website, or contact [email protected].

• Commercial drivers play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maintaining safety on Alberta’s roads. Each day, they navigate challenging conditions, weather, and traffic to deliver goods safely, while also taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of everyone around them. AMTA is introducing an "Angels of the Highway" program designed to celebrate and acknowledge these selfless efforts. This initiative will not only recognize the commitment truck drivers make to road safety but also empower them with the tools and resources to continue their vital work while staying healthy, safe, and supported on the road. Nominate your driver today! 
  
  

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

Join the conversation at:
Web: amta.ca
Instagram: amta_ca/ 
Facebook: AlbertaMotorTransportAssociation
LinkedIn: alberta-motor-transport-association

Thank you for taking the time to listen, we encourage you to share this episode with those in your network who would receive value from our conversation. Make sure to hit that subscribe button and have a safe day! 

AMTA's Kelsey Hipkin and long-time planner of the PTDC, Michelle Spacil, chat with Members of our Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC) Committee: Matt Geib, PTDC Marshall, Don Achtemichuk, PTDC Co-Marshall, and Don MacDonald, PTDC Track Master.

In our conversation, we highlight AMTA's Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC) which returns May 31, 2025, celebrating 75 years of Driver Excellence! We discuss how this event works, the specifics of the course and what it takes to navigate it, our collaboration with the Alberta Sheriffs, the importance of having an event that celebrates commercial drivers, and more.

Commercial drivers ensure goods and services in Alberta get to where they need to go, and this event serves to highlight the skillsets required behind the wheel. Drivers participate in one of four categories: Straight Truck, Tandem Single-Axle Pup, Tandem Bunk, and B-Train.

Driver and Volunteer registration opens Monday, March 17 (registration closes May 23)! Please note registration for both Drivers and Volunteers goes quickly. Learn more about PTDC on our website.

• Tickets for AMTA’s Annual Conference, April 8-10, 2025, River Cree Resort and Casino, Edmonton, are available on our website, and tickets are going fast!
  The deadline to register for the Annual Conference or Awards Celebration is 4pm on April 1, 2025.
  Please note, our Tradeshow is officially sold out. Some sponsorship opportunities remain, please contact [email protected] to learn more.

• Commercial drivers play a crucial, yet often overlooked, role in maintaining safety on Alberta’s roads. Each day, they navigate challenging conditions, weather, and traffic to deliver goods safely, while also taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of everyone around them. AMTA is introducing an "Angels of the Highway" program designed to celebrate and acknowledge these selfless efforts. This initiative will not only recognize the commitment truck drivers make to road safety but also empower them with the tools and resources to continue their vital work while staying healthy, safe, and supported on the road. Nominate your driver today!

If you have any questions or concerns about topics related to what was discussed in this episode, or commercial transportation and driver safety, please do not hesitate to contact our Member Services team at [email protected].

Listeners, don’t forget about the AMTA Mailbag! We want to hear from you with your industry queries. DM us with your questions and we will answer via the AMTA Mailbag segment in future episodes or directly via our team of advisors.  

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