Mark Bylsma, president of Spring Creek Carriers based in Beamsville, Ont., has been named chairman of the Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) for a two-year term.
The announcement was made at the OTA’s annual general meeting on Oct. 29. He succeeds James Steed as a chairman after being a long-time supporter of the OTA and having served on its board of directors and executive committee, most recently as first vice-chairman.
Bylsma expressed his commitment to addressing key industry issues during his term, including establishing fair competition, advancing driver training reform, and addressing systemic industry issues like tax evasion and personal services business fraud.
Key goals include pushing for government action to tackle the underground economy harming compliant carriers, advocating for swift reforms in driver training and licensing, and preparing for the Gordie Howe Bridge opening, CUSMA renegotiations, and new GHG regulations.
“This [the underground economy] is an existential issue for our industry. I am eager to continue the fight until our concerns are seriously addressed by decision makers,” he told conference attendees. “We must all work together to raise the bar in our sector and demand government works harder to maintain the high standards we have diligently achieved over many decades for the Ontario trucking industry.”
Co-founder of Spring Creek Carriers with Calvin Bergman 30 years ago, Bylsma built the company from the ground up without prior experience in transportation. Today, Spring Creek Carriers operates over 40 power units, more than 60 trailers, and a brokerage division, Spring Creek Logistics.
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