August 24, 2005
Summary of Recommendations
- That the Vancouver Port Authority and Fraser Port Authority be empowered to mandate a 100% reservation system for short-haul container carriers.
- That the reservation system be inter-operable between Centerm, Vanterm, Deltaport and Fraser-Surrey Docks.
- That an "accountability mechanism" be developed for truckers who fail to arrive at the reserved time and/or for terminals that fail to honour the reservation and keep truckers waiting.
- Terminal operators survey key retail customers and other high volume container customers to identify potential participants in a "night gate" pilot project.
- That the Vancouver Port Authority use the "OffPeak" program as the basis for a study on incentive strategies to encourage off peak truck container movement at Lower Mainland terminals.
- That terminal operators seek to maximize productivity within the terms of the current collective agreement of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union to ensure there is an uninterrupted, continuous terminal activity during their regular hours of operation.
- That the BC government issue an unequivocal statement that it will use all legal means available to ensure individuals and businesses may freely pursue their lawful right to work in British Columbia.
- That the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor-General of British Columbia be requested to inquire whether the RCMP or municipal police forces have specific operational policies in place for labour disputes to ensure such policies do not authorize a separate standard of law enforcement in such circumstances.
- That the port licensing system and application of the terms of the MOU be subject to the 90 day consultation period only.
- That any future port licensing system prescribes service standards rather than rate regulation.
- That government refrain from a re-introduction of trucking regulation at Lower Mainland ports and enable shippers such as Canada's retailers to select their transportation partners based on service and cost.
- That the Vancouver and Fraser Port Authorities be authorized to conduct an inquiry into impediments to the effective functioning of free market dynamics at the ports.
- That the Task Force seek to identify the obstacles that have impeded progress in the development of the Port Authorities' plan to move to it's "vision of a port working 24 hours a day at full productivity.
- That consideration be given to providing the Port Authorities with the ability to develop and enforce service standards on terminal operators.
- That the Task Force examine the vehicles and channels utilized for communication and consultation among stakeholders with the intention of ensuring they promote collaboration and a coordinated approach to the movement of containers at the Port of Vancouver.