Ontario Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria announced on X this week that the province is deploying new X-ray technology to improve commercial vehicle inspections.
The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) said it was sent a memo from the province that indicated MTO officers will use the units to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of cargo inspections.
“With this latest announcement, we are entering another phase and use of this critical MTO infrastructure by adding tools necessary for enforcement to vastly expand its capabilities, including the identification of undocumented cargo and illegal shipments, which are an unfortunate reality in the industry,” said OTA’s senior vice-president of policy, Geoff Wood.
“Understanding the current state of the industry, this technology is a requirement if we are going to restore trust and eliminate risks to public safety. We need to see technology like this, and programs like Operation Deterrence, adopted by all provinces across Canada to ensure the activities cannot migrate to other jurisdictions.”
OTA’s secretary treasurer Wayne Cooney, president of Cooney Transport, was invited to see a demonstration of the technology.
“I was impressed by MTO staff in attendance and Minister Sarkaria’s commitment to making our roads and communities safer,” Cooney said. “OTA looks forward to working with Minister Sarkaria on the strategic evolution of enforcement measures and regulations that govern the Ontario trucking industry. Deterrents such as the technology now in use will significantly hinder the ability for non-compliant operators to continue the status quo and will allow the necessary enforcement and regulatory approach required in 2025.”
The units are to be deployed across the province, but the memo to OTA said they will not increase inspection times. However, drivers will be required to exit their vehicles during scanning.
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