Canada announces ELD enforcement policy ahead of June 12 deadline

Canada’s Transportation Minister, Omar Alghabra, announced that early enforcement measures of the electronic logging device (ELD) mandate would include “education and awareness.” The ELD mandate is effective June 12, 2021.

“I’m confident this approach will ensure the safe and efficient operation of commercial carriers by providing flexibility to commercial operators, while also maintaining the safety benefits for Canadians,” said Alghabra.

Earlier this year, NWRA staff met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regarding potential adverse impacts to U.S. businesses and to urge Canada to adopt a more reasonable stance toward enforcing its ELD mandate.

“I am pleased that the Canadian government recognized that a hard line on enforcement is not in the best interest of the regulated community,” said NWRA President and CEO Darrell Smith. “This policy will help increase compliance and protect the motoring public.”

NWRA remains engaged with the federal government on safety issues on behalf of its members. FMCSA announced in 2019 that it would grant NWRA a rare Hours-of-Service exemption exclusively to its members that will eliminate the need for them to use ELDs as otherwise is required under the new rule.