US drivers rules in Canada

Discussion in 'Trucking Industry Regulations' started by curiousalexa, Jun 21, 2014.

  1. curiousalexa

    curiousalexa Bobtail Member

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    Jan 17, 2013
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    My (American) company seems to think drivers can "driver assist" trailer unloading in Canada, as long as we're in the trailer not on the dock. (Kind of like how foreign embassies are native soil). I think this is incorrect, and that we're only allowed to drive, that ANY freight handling must be done by a Canadian.

    Where/who would I find out the official rule? My google-foo is weak, I'm only finding actual border crossing stuff and temporary worker permits.
     
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  3. peterd

    peterd Medium Load Member

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    I don't know the exact legal terms,but I'm a Canadian and the same could be said about doing American work when unloading trailer.I've been told by US customs that unloading trailers is considered part of your delivery.I would imagine that the same would apply in Canada.At any Canada is not near as strict about cabotage as US is.
     
  4. buzzarddriver

    buzzarddriver Road Train Member

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    We have one customer in Canada that requires the driver to assist in unloading. The 360 boxes are very light and have to be stacked on pallets and one wrap of tape around the top row. We have had this customer for years. And they are a Large UNION Canadian firm. The dock fellows are very friendly and if you happen to be there when the break or lunch whistle blows, you are invited to accompany them to the breakroom. And NO, we are not UNION.
    So, i'd say that the requirement for only Canadian unloading is not factual.
     
  5. quatto

    quatto Medium Load Member

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    bzzzzzzzzzzz........I unload in Canada all by myself at multiple locations. ;-)
     
  6. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    I have never heard of this problem. The only scenario I can think of is a ticked off union employee sees you working and calls the steward. Steward takes it up the ladder and they stumble on the fact that you are a foreigner. Next time you go there might not be allowed to help. It's one chance in a million.
     
  7. JPenn

    JPenn Road Train Member

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    Depends completely on the shipper or receiver. Sounds like your company is trying to get you to work for minimal or no compensation, OR you don't want to do something and are looking for a way around it. I've delivered to plenty of places in Canada, and have never encountered pushback from wanting to unload my own trailer (something I tend to do as I've noticed a lot fewer OS&D claims turn up when I am an active part of the loading/unloading process).
     
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