Pontiacers take part in provincial independent trucker protest

Pontiacers take part in provincial independent trucker protest

An association representing Quebec’s independent truckers (including some from the Pontiac region) took part in a province-wide protest last Wednesday (May 14), calling on the government to change the way they regulate public infrastructure projects.

In a statement, the Association nationale des camionneurs artisans inc. (ANCAI), an association representing independent bulk hauling truckers, request that the government reinstate a clause mandating all provincially financed infrastructure projects use the ANCAI for 50% of their bulk hauling needs.

Pat Bertrand, the owner of Entreprises Patrick Bertrand and the Pontiac rep for the ANCAI, explained that their 5,200 members across the province all run small operations primarily hauling aggregate (soil, asphalt, etc.).

He said that the ANCAI has 48 members in the Pontiac region, and around a dozen made the trek down to Quebec City, joining hundreds of association members making their displeasure known to those at the National Assembly. Bertrand said that unlike bigger trucking contractors, ANCAI members are tightly regulated by the government, and contribute to their local economies.

The statement from the ANCAI points out that the Charbonneau Commission, an inquiry into corruption in Quebec’s public construction projects, had stated that when not regulated, the bulk hauling industry presented a prime opportunity for corrupt practices.

Bertrand emphasized that despite the size of the protest, it was very orderly, and organized in coordination with various police forces.

Change opposed by contractor association

The Corporation des entrepreneurs généraux du Québec (CEGQ), which represents general contractors in the province, issued a statement on May 15 opposed to the demands of the ANCAI, noting that they favour a free-market approach.

“Any limitation on competition can increase prices,” said CEGQ President Eric Côté (translated). “We will always encourage local labor and businesses whenever possible, because it’s an economic issue and a matter of knowledge of the road networks. But what we want is for there to be free competition.”

The offices of Quebec’s Minister of Transportation as well as the Minister for Infrastructure declined to comment on the situation to Radio-Canada.