Bad Actors in the Shadows of the Highway

The recent crackdown on unsafe carriers by Alberta Transportation Minister Devin Dreeshen has shed light on a disturbing trend: companies that prioritize profits over people and use jurisdiction-hopping to evade accountability. Conquer Transportation, the company behind the deadly crash in Brandon, Manitoba, is one such example.

Alberta’s decision to “eliminate” 20 carriers, including Conquer, marks a significant step towards cleaning up the industry. However, it raises questions about how these companies managed to operate for so long with such egregious safety records. The answer lies in a web of loopholes and gaps in interprovincial data sharing.

The practice of “chameleon carriers” is not new. Companies like Conquer Transport, which had its safety permit pulled in Manitoba in 2021, simply registered under a new name in Alberta and continued operating. This allows them to exploit the lack of coordination between provinces and avoid accountability. It’s a game where companies dodge enforcement in one jurisdiction only to re-emerge in another.

The consequences are devastating. In May, a Conquer Transportation truck driver went through a stop sign in Brandon and killed a 49-year-old woman. The driver, Brijpal Panwar, is now charged with dangerous driving causing death. This crash was not an isolated incident; it was a symptom of a broader problem: companies that prioritize speed and profit over safety.

The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators’ efforts to develop a national database are a step in the right direction. By sharing data and coordinating enforcement, provinces can better track these chameleon carriers and prevent them from exploiting gaps in regulation. However, it’s not just about technology – it’s also about willpower.

Alberta’s decision to shut down five “fraudulent” Class 1 trucking schools is a welcome move. These schools are often the feeder systems for companies like Conquer, churning out drivers who may not have the training or experience to handle the demands of long-haul driving. By addressing this problem at its roots, Alberta is sending a clear message: we will not tolerate exploitation in our industry.

As the investigation into the Brandon crash continues, one thing is clear: there are bad actors in the shadows of the highway who will stop at nothing to turn a profit. It’s up to governments and regulatory bodies to shine a light on these companies and hold them accountable. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty.

The road ahead will not be easy. It will require coordination between provinces, a commitment to data sharing, and a willingness to crack down on companies that flout the rules. But if we can get it right – if we can create a system where safety is prioritized over profit – then perhaps we can start to build a safer, more just industry for everyone.

The legacy of victims like Xiaoyun Zhang, who was killed in the Brandon crash, demands nothing less. Jay Zhang, her son, said in an interview: “My mom was just a really hard-working woman and a really powerful person.” It’s time to give her legacy the recognition it deserves by building a transportation system that values human life above all else.