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Covid-19: Pierre Bernier, long-haul trucker, shares his experience

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Covid-19: Pierre Bernier, long-haul trucker, shares his experience

While the obligation to wear a mask has aroused strong reactions in many people around North America, for Pierre Bernier it has become obvious for him that we must protect ourselves and avoid contracting the new coronavirus. Trucker, he faced the disease and although he comes out with any sequelae, he shares with us today his experience, highlighting the problems that the virus can cause for our health, but also for the finances!

As a long-haul team driver, Pierre contracted the virus at the end of April. He felt a tingling in his throat, nothing more, never thinking he had contracted the disease. The first days were banal, but it was on the fifth day that he understood the brutality of the new coronavirus on his health.

« I had a fever and I was really weak; I dropped about 50% of my usual capacity. I would go up a flight of stairs and I would be drenched in sweat…» he explains. « I contaminated my codriver, even though we were already incredibly careful. We cleaned everything in the truck, we would disinfect our hands regularly, but he still contracted the virus. The virus had affected him much stronger than me, even though he had a perfect bill of health, while I have lung problems. »
« I think I must have caught the virus when I went to the ATM. I did not have any disinfectant with me at the time and I had told myself that I was going to wash my hands at home, but I may have forgotten, or I may have touched my face with my hands… But I find it important to mention that I did not catch the virus in the United States, I contracted it in Quebec City, even if my symptoms appeared on the road. »
« I do not believe that truckers are more important vectors of the virus than the general population of Canada. The rules are strict, whether it’s at the borders or elsewhere, and we were incredibly careful not to spread the virus… »

Pierre and his codriver were incredibly happy when they returned from their trip, being both exhausted. Upon his return, Pierre made an appointment and he went to a Covid-19 clinical drive-thru at Place Fleur-de-Lys. Well organized and equipped with special medical gear, the people there gave him the test and he turned out to be positive.

« Coming back from our trip, we left the truck and all the travel documents as is. We didn’t go inside the office; we went directly home, and the company took care of disinfecting everything. In fact, they disinfected the truck three times! »
« Personally, I was sick for about 12 days, and I was released on May 11th. My son, who stays with me, did not contract it, but he stayed confined with me, so he doesn’t contaminate his fellow colleague’s as for he is in the military.  I cleaned absolutely everything I touched, even the bottle of milk, we were very careful. »

When Pierre received permission to go back to work, he had to leave without his partner. His codriver did not return to work until the 12th of June and is still suffering from the aftermath of the Covid-19.

« Even if you are in your forties or fifties and even if you are in good shape, you can be sick like hell! In his case, it’s as if the virus has attacked his brain. When you no longer know if you are moving forward or backward, you are extremely tired, you must sleep more than ¾ of your day, it’s really serious. In my case, when I got up in the morning, I had to clean my sheets because they were soaking wet. I was making myself lunch, and it really took all my energy. What happened to my codriver was really bad. »

Although Pierre is in favor of sanitary measures, he deplores the lack of consistency in the measures from one state to another, from one client to another.

« For example, California asks you to wear a mask. You arrive at the shipper, who asks you to use your own pencil, but the person at the reception takes my driver’s license and touches it with his hands. When I got tested, they never touched my health insurance card, they put it in a bag! » he says. « There are states that require to wear a mask, others do not. In Michigan, it’s a 500$ fine if you don’t respect the measures. There is no consistency from one place to another … It’s complicated! »

Pierre believes it is important to follow the sanitary measures in place. Even though he has already contracted the virus, he continues to pay attention to others.

« The purpose of sharing my story is to remind people of the importance of washing their hands and wearing a mask. Even though I did well, I was fortunate to be able to make my payments, to pay my mortgage, because the virus involves a long work stoppage. People who have the slightest financial difficulty, who impatiently wait for their pay to make their payment… How will they manage if they have to stop working for weeks or even months? »
« I think eventually the viral load will lower, and it will become like a little flu. But this isn’t the case at the moment, not for everyone, so let’s be careful! »

The company Pierre works for has only two other cases of infection out of nearly 500 drivers. He is pleased to tell us that the company is doing everything it can to limit the spread of the virus and that the situation is being taken seriously.

The obligation to wear a mask or face covering in closed public places in Quebec will come into force next Saturday, July 18th, 2020.

Remember that masks do not fully protect the people who wear them, but they can reduce the risk of contamination to almost 5% if others wear them too. Wearing a mask or face cover helps retain particles released into the air while exhaling, speaking, coughing… and therefore creates an additional barrier to the virus if you were a carrier.

Wearing a mask or a face cover could allow the population to continue to go out and spend their money, for the good health of our economy, while surviving the virus, physically and financially…

It remains unclear why some people appear to be more affected by Covid-19 than others. While people experience little or no symptoms, others, relatively healthy, are fully affected, and some die. As a reminder, the trucker community has lost some of its important members due to the Covid-19. Let us not forget them.

Yves Labelle and Dan Picard, truck drivers, lost their lives to Covid-19.

Successful couple relationships despite the road

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Successful couple relationships despite the road

Finding a good partner can be difficult for truckers who spend a lot of time on the road. Although for some people freedom and independence can be the key to a successful relationship while for others, balance, confidence and accepting the distance can be a real obstacle.

How to establish balance in a relationship? How to nurture a feeling of confidence? How to live a harmonious relationship despite the distance? Is there a perfect recipe to live and maintain happiness within our romantic relationship?

Balance in a relationship

According to Yvon Dallaire, psychologist, author and lecturer in conjugal relations, there are four dimensions to our life to flourish and live a happy life. The four dimensions boil down to four Ps: partner, professional life, parent, private life.

Each of these dimensions must occupy 25% of our total time to live in a proper balance. The relationship should not represent 100% of our life, we must learn to keep time for our career, family life and our secret garden.

To illustrate the concept of the four Ps, we can imagine a table with four legs. Each leg represents a dimension. Each legs of the table should be proportional to each other so that the table has a good balance, and this is the same with the four dimensions. If there is a bouquet of flowers on the table, so that it doesn’t fall to the ground, we must recognize ourselves as partner’s, parent’s, professional’s and keep time for ourselves.

Truckers who leave home for several days at a time as part of their work can find themselves in a particular situation especially if they are passionate of their job, trying to fulfill two needs at the same time, that of professional life and private life. It’s rather possible to take some time for yourself whilst being in the truck, but you shouldn’t feel guilty about it. If necessary, you can also take time for yourself at home. It’s all about finding the perfect balance.

Sometimes it’s difficult to be able to devote 25% of your time to your beloved one because of the time spent on the road. Thus, it’s important that the time spent with your partner is of good quality and don’t forget to make them know that you’re thinking about them whilst you’re on the road.

Your spouse thinks you are paying to much attention to trucks? Find an activity that both of you love! A passion that can rejoin both of you, play games together and go see shows. Have short, medium, long term plans to increase the probability of being happier and staying together longer.

Games are an incredibly good way for spending time together, some games can even be played directly from your mobile phone, from the cab of your truck with your partner being at home.

Nurturing a sense of confidence

For many people, the unknown can be frightening. It can therefore be difficult for some partners to understand how it works for truckers on the road, to separate the reality from the famous “rumors of the 401”.

The best way to reassure the person you treasure is to reassure them about the reality of transportation, your priorities and the love you have for them. And why not give them a truck ride? By discovering by themselves how you live on the road, where you park, how it goes, confidence can be established. A healthy communication can then make their confidence flourish.

Harmonious relationship despite the distance

In an interview accorded with Truck Stop Quebec, Yvon Dallaire suggests securing your partner by reminding them that even despite the distance, that you care about them. He gives the idea, among other things, to write little letters and hide them so that the other can find them during your absence, a simple and inexpensive way that your partner will feel close to you even if you’re far away.

Can’t seem to get back in time for her birthday? Send flowers, or a fruit basket! Offer her a massage or a day at the spa that she can take when you are gone and thus strengthen her relationship experience in a positive way, even when you’re away.

The secret of happy couples

It’s rare for two people to have the same needs at the same time, whether you’re in a truck driver relationship or not.

« The couple is a crucible that generates crises, and we must learn to overcome them, » explains Yvon Dallaire. « Couples are built through difficult times and conflicts in which we try to find double-winner agreement. »

Happy couples also have unsolvable problems and conflicts. Why do they still manage to find happiness?

« These happy couples manage their problems, they don’t solve them », says Yvon Dallaire. « If you’re financially insecure and your partner is financially secure, it’s insoluble, the best solution for this is that both partners should share the same attitude towards money. »

« So, when we can manage a double-winner agreement, for example by making a budget in which there is a savings account, making the insecure partner secure, and so that the secure partner who wants to enjoy their money can do it, now everyone is happy. It’s managing the differences, whether between two people of the opposite sex or of the same sex. »

It is important to dialogue, on the condition that the content of the dialogue is positive! Some couples experience communication problems, but this can take two completely opposite directions. Either the couple isn’t talking at all, or they talk to each other but by discussing the wrong content.

« If every time I talk to my partner and I tell them about their flaws, or of what they should change, or all the bullshit that has been done in the past, what will they give me in return? » asks Yvon Dallaire. « Among happy couples, we find that there are ten times more compliments than blame. There will be reproaches, but they’re compensated by compliments, by “I love you’s”. »

Many couples separate prematurely because from the first crisis, the picture person that you thought was is no longer. The princess turns into a witch, and the prince becomes into a toad again!

« The misters must learn that the word witchcraft means wisdom and knowledge. Madam’s must learn that a toad is also a beautiful manifestation of life », says Yvon Dallaire laughing.

Still according the renowned international psychologist, there are four fundamental elements for a relationship to succeed:

  1. Love and good faith.
  2. Knowledge of the small differences between men and women which have large consequences.
  3. Ignorance of the inevitable dynamics of living together.
  4. The efforts to stop doing what’s not working, like screaming each other’s heads off, and put into practice what works, like giving each other compliments and learning to manage our paradoxes.

Do you have this impression that your relationship brings you more inconvenience than benefits?  You’re no longer happy and believe that it’s time to put an end to your relationship? Failing to succeed your relationship, it’s entirely possible to succeed in your separation, by doing it in a calm and respectful way towards other. Don’t forget that you can always ask for some professional advice if you’re in a difficult situation, especially when children are involved.

And don’t forget, as Benoit Magimel puts it so well… « Happiness is found alone and is shared with someone ».

DHL Express & their new mobile units

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DHL Express & their new mobile units

Food trucks are becoming more and more popular in the recent years, thus attracting more companies to try and adapt new technologies and find ways to respect the new current standards of sanitary measures in place.

It is with this vision that DHL Express, an international delivery service company has decided to innovate by coping the ‘Food Truck’ method by offering to it’s clients mobile shipping points. Their very first mobile ‘pop-up’ concept is currently parked in a shopping centre in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The mobile unit offers approximately 2,200 cubic feet that can be raised and lowered by a hydraulic system. It is currently equipped with a wireless computer system that responds to the needs of both national and international parcel senders. It also offers on-site sells, such as: bubble wrap, tape, boxes, etc.

In the upcoming months, DHL Express wants to offer on-site pick-ups at their mobile units, just like shipment’s. More mobile service should open across the United States by the end of this upcoming year.

Tesla’s value dominates Toyota in the auto industry

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Tesla’s value dominates Toyota in the auto industry

Tesla Inc. overtook Toyota Motor Corp. as a higher value company on Wednesday July 1st when the 650,000 pre-orders of its Cybertruck exceeded deliveries of all its electric models (Tesla S, X and 3) of 2018 and 2019.

With its Cybertruck pickup and the Tesla Semi, a 100% electric class 8 semi truck, Tesla has risen to the forefront of battery electric vehicle manufacturers. The Tesla Semi had been presented on November 16, 2017 and its production is scheduled for 2021, after being delayed three times.

Tesla’s shares have more than doubled since the start of the year. They reached a market capitalization of $ 208.3 billion on Wednesday, exceeding Toyota’s $ 194.5 billions.

Volkswagen has found second place as a carmaker, being overtaken by Tesla which is now worth more than double the German giant of cars and trucks.

Measured by its market share, Tesla is still a small player in the United States, accounting for only 1.32% of all vehicles sold. This is explained by the slower adoption of electric vehicles, more than by the popularity of Tesla, especially among the wealthy who can afford these cars whose price can range from $ 40,000 to more than $ 100,000.

Toyota predicts an 80% decline in profits this year, and it could possibly extend into the first quarter of 2021 before the auto market regains its pre-pandemic health.

Toyota has only recently begun investing in battery electric vehicles, favoring hydrogen fuel cell electric as the long-term solution to greenhouse gas emissions. Toyota partners with Kenworth Truck Co, a unit of PACCAR Inc., on a fleet of 10 class 8 heavy trucks for testing in a climate-conscious California. It is working on a similar program in Japan with its subsidiary Hino Trucks.

Covid-19 : An increase in incidents among truckers?

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Covid-19 : An increase in incidents among truckers?

While several provinces and states have imposed containment measures to combat the Covid-19 outbreak, peak hours have dropped dramatically and traffic has become smoother. We might think that the number of road incidents could have dropped too, but in some cities it was just the opposite!

This is explained by the fact that less traffic makes it possible to drive faster. New York City also recorded the largest increase in speed, with a 20% increase in average road speed. Driving faster leads to an increase in sudden braking. An acceleration in the curves was also noted among truckers, according to Geotab.

In New York City, a drop in the volume of commercial transport was recorded. But, still according to Geotab, the number of daily events related to harsh driving, by commercial vehicle, has increased in incidents for trucks. This is not the case for other types of commercial vehicles such as buses, which have remained fairly constant.

Drivers familiar with driving in congested cities are now freer in those areas that were previously difficult to navigate. These are the places where it is strongly recommended to double your vigilance and respect the speed limits.

“Fleets must therefore carefully monitor traffic behavior to help ensure the safety of their employees on the road during this unprecedented period,” writes the telematics company.

For its part, trucking insurance broker Burrowes confirms a drop in road accidents. Can this be attributed to the fact that there are fewer motorists on the roads?

“We can certainly take into account the fact that there are fewer vehicles on the road …”

Deconfinement continues throughout North America, motorists and motorcyclists are back and traffic intensifies. The freedom that truckers will have experienced on deserted roads will have been short-lived, but a return to normal life is necessary for the sustainability of our carriers!

 

Riots escalate in Minnesota following the death of Floyd

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Riots escalate in Minnesota following the death of Floyd

As tensions over a police-involved death continue to escalate, authorities are urging protesters to refrain from violence and asking people to avoid ‘retail areas.’

On Wednesday and Thursday, violent protests broke out in Minneapolis and St. Paul following the death of George Floyd.

During his arrest, Floyd, 46, was held by the knee of a Minneapolis police officer. A video shows Floyd pleading that he is suffering and cannot breathe. Then his eyes closed and the calls stopped. He was pronounced dead soon after.

The officer and three others involved in the incident have been dismissed, but his family members want to see the officers charged with murder.

The FBI is investigating and said it will present its findings to the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota for consideration of possible federal charges.

The Major Cities Chiefs Association, an organization of police executives representing the largest cities in the US and Canada, released a statement Wednesday calling the actions of the officers involved in Floyd’s death “inconsistent with the training and protocols of our profession.”

Floyd moved to Minnesota to work and drive trucks, according to friend and former NBA player Stephen Jackson.

The video of Floyd’s death went viral and sparked outrage at police brutality. Since then, protesters have clashed with the police on the streets, started numerous fires, and looted businesses.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called Wednesday’s activities in Minneapolis “extremely dangerous” and asked people to avoid the area.

On Thursday afternoon, the riots escalated to the point that Maplewood police urged people to avoid “retail areas”, considering these areas at high risk of looting.

According to social media, objects are being thrown from Bridges in Minneapolis as part of the protest.

Walz called the National Guard on Thursday afternoon to respond to the riots.

Truckers who need to deliver or pick up in the area should call ahead to make sure the business is open or consider delaying until the situation is more secure.

Shortage of 48,000 professional drivers could affect Canadians by 2024

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Shortage of 48,000 professional drivers could affect Canadians by 2024

The shortage of professional truck drivers in the Canadian for-hire trucking industry is escalating more rapidly than industry analysts previously thought, according to a new study prepared for the Canadian Trucking Alliance.

Conducted by transportation consultants, CPCS, the study “Understanding the Truck Driver Supply and Demand Gap” is an update to CTA’s 2011 landmark report of the same name, which predicted a driver gap of up to 33,000 drivers by 2020.

The new study’s forecast calls for a shortage of 34,000 drivers by 2024, an increase in demand of 25,000 and a decrease in supply of 9,000. The shortage could increase to 48,000 drivers based on plausible combinations of different trends that could affect industry demand, labour productivity and occupational attractiveness.

Demand for drivers is expected to grow the most in Ontario, followed by British Columbia. The expected gap in absolute terms between driver demand and supply is forecast to be highest in Ontario and Quebec.

“When you consider that almost everything that people consume on a daily basis, or that serve as inputs into the production process, is shipped by truck, the economic implications of a driver shortage are potentially immense,” said David Bradley, president and CEO of the CTA, who thinks the study should be an important wake-up call.

The industry is at the precipice of what the study calls a “demographic cliff.” The average age of the drivers continues to increase and is doing so more rapidly than the Canadian labour force in general. The average truck driver age is expected to eclipse 49 years old by 2024 – up from 44.1 years in 2006. About 17,000 drivers are actually between 60 and 65 years of age.

The share of young drivers in the occupation has been decreasing over time. Between 2006 and 2011, drivers between 25 to 34 years-old dropped from 18% to below 15%, while the share of drivers in the 55 to 64 year-old cohort (most of whom will retire over the next decade) increased from 17% to 22%.

Meanwhile, immigrants make up about 20% (57,000 drivers) of the truck driver population, still smaller than it is for the Canadian workforce. Non-permanent residents make up a very small share of the driver population, at 0.5%, compared to the workforce as a whole at 1.1%.

97% of all truck drivers are male, compared to 52% of all employees in all occupations. In Quebec, several programs are being put in place to recruit more women in order to make up for the growing shortage of labor, such as the Camo-Route program which aims to increase the presence of women behind the wheel of heavy trucks at 10% over the next three years. The program is supported by the Mirabel Road Transportation Training Center, which now has a pink truck to attract the attention of women who may be interested in trucking.

At the salary level, in 2014, the average hourly wage rate for tractor-trailer drivers in Canada was nearly $23 – higher than the national average for all occupations, but that is not enough to attract new candidates to the industry.

The biggest challenge for trucking is finding long-haul truckers, and this is where there is the greatest shortage of candidates. These workers are required to work long, unpredictable hours and spend a lot of time away from home in order to earn their wages, which is not attractive for younger generations.

Owner-operator drivers – which make up about 30% of the for-hire driver pool – are also an important part of the truck driving workforce. But while they can generate good income by maintaining their equipment, choosing their clients carefully and taking time to manage their finances, growing equipment costs continue to put pressure on the owner-operator model.

In recent years, the industry’s CAGR (compound annual growth rate) in labour productivity has slowed, down to 0.9% in the past 10 years and 0.7% over the past 5 years, reflecting the absence of major size and weight increases in recent years and the full absorption of the effects of economic deregulation which occurred in the 1980’s. Other regulatory changes (e.g., US hours of service rules) could further dampen industry productivity.

Fully automated trucks are not likely to be operational within the forecast period, except on private property. As such, the trucking industry does not see automated vehicles as a means to resolve labour shortages. Automation will likely introduce itself piecemeal, starting with driver assist technologies. There is the prospect that drivers will engage in other activities while seated behind the wheel.

In conclusion, not only will the shortage of truckers continue to affect the road transportation industry more and more, it will also affect customers and the general public. All will face the consequences resulting from the industry’s difficulties in overcoming the recruitment challenge.

Major trucking players in Quebec will offer meals to truckers

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Major trucking players in Quebec will offer meals to truckers

Tomorrow between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., the work of truckers will be recognized by other major players in the Quebec trucking industry! Burrowes Insurance Brokers, Traction and TruckPro will meet professional drivers to greet them and offer them a good meal!

“The truckers had a difficult time and they still managed to transport consumer goods to Canadians”, said Martin Burrowes, president of Burrowes Insurance Brokers, on Truck Stop Quebec.

“Of course we are sensitive to the trucking industry, and more particularly the drivers, because it is our livelihood, so each of us thought about what we could do to thank them” added Gaetan Delisle, vice-president of UAP (Traction).

It was by looking for a place where meeting with truckers can be carried out safely and respecting the best hygiene measures that the idea of offering meals at Relais Routier Petit came to mind of the two giants of the trucking industry. The truck stop already offers takeout meals and they were very motivated when the idea came up.

“The idea is to thank our obligated volunteers,” says Delisle. “Because, you have to understand that the truckers and the trucking industry did not have the option of teleworking at home, they were no more and no less obliged to go to the front and to face it. ”

“We at Burrowes have trucking insurance at the heart of our business,” said Mr. Burrowes. “And, we had to give these people our gratitude. It goes without saying, they have merit, they have our admiration. So it’s a minimum and it makes us happy.”

“These are people we work with on a daily basis. It sometimes becomes friends, through our workshops or through our stores, ”added Mr. Delisle.

“With the Covid-19 pandemic, the work of truckers has come to light a little more, and that’s a good thing. But what made me jump was when I saw that there were companies that refused truckers access to their services. That too was a trigger. These people support us during the crisis and we prevent them from going to the toilet, that is nonsense! ”

It is with impatience and enthusiasm that truckers will be expected tomorrow at Relais Routier Petit.

“This is the first step, and with Martin, we are looking at what the next step will be, what areas we could consider doing the same thing,” said Delisle. “We will give priority to those who are in the corridor of the 20 tomorrow, but there are other sectors and I invite the people to send us the sites where we could reproduce the event.”

You are a truck driver? Stop by tomorrow at exit 152 of Highway 20 in Quebec. We will also be there in the afternoon with t-shirts and stickers!

Impact of the pandemic on American and Canadian transportation

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Impact of the pandemic on American and Canadian transportation

From March 16 to May 8, there has been a significant drop in commercial transportation activity in both the U.S. and Canada when baselined against data from the previous two weeks. On average, Canada is operating at 79% of normal commercial transportation activity, with the Maritimes operating at 70% (the lowest percentage compared to normal.)

In the U.S., the impact is more significant, operating at an average of 83% of normal commercial transportation activity and the U.S. Federal region, such as the State of New York and New Jersey, are the most impacted at 66% of normal activity.

Looking at the North American trend, commercial transportation activity is quite similar to what we’re seeing above. However, there is a noteworthy difference in the decline of commercial vehicle activity between Heavy-Duty trucks at 87% of the normal activity and cars at 66% of the normal activity, baselined against data from February 1 to March 15, 2020.

The dataset suggests that all retail, industrial and commercial locations have been impacted by the drop in commercial transportation activity. However, it is somewhat encouraging to note that commercial transportation activity to grocery stores has dropped the least, with 92% of normal activity, delivering goods but other services as well.

On the other side, both total volumes and reefer volumes out of California have surged over 30% in the past month. OTVI.CA (the Outbound Tender Volume Index – SONAR’s proprietary index of daily accepted full truckload tender volumes) is now at precrisis surge levels, which is remarkable. However, the volume surge that has occurred on a national level is too significant to have come from just one market and upward momentum is broad.

A few weeks back, the automotive industry seemed to represent a promising source of pent-up volumes once its factories came back online. The Michigan (OTVI.MI) and Ohio (OTVI.OH) outbound tender volumes have not risen as rapidly as the national average. However, inbound volumes to both Ohio and Michigan have been rising rapidly. This may translate into much-needed outbound volumes from the two states.

This time of the year, we should expect to see a produce bump, but total volumes are rising faster than reefer is currently. That said, traditional produce markets in southwertern U.S.A. have exhibited the largest monthly changes in volumes (Tucson, Phoenix). The rapidly improving consumer spending data is also playing a role in this surge. The reopening of most states is unleashing the pent-up demand from Americans and Canadians who have grown tired of being on house arrest. How long the surge can last remains to be seen.

As the coronavirus pandemic continues and the July 1 start date for the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) nears, logistics experts weighed in on how to strategize for the future, during a recent webinar.

“The Impacts of COVID-19 on the United States, Mexico, and Canada Cross-border movements” webinar was presented by the Transportation Intermediaries Association on Thursday.

Jessie Essman, chief operating officer for Chicago-based Forager, said Mexico’s location next door to the U.S. makes it attractive as a growing trade partner.

« For some time now, supply chains have been reevaluating the concept of nearshoring versus offshoring. Wages are rising in China, and we’ve seen that offshoring can really lead to supply chain inflexibility », Essman said.

Unlike China, there are also no current tariffs hampering U.S.-Mexico trade, Essman said.

Carlos Sesma, a transportation and logistics lawyer in the Mexico City-based law firm Sesma and McNeese, said the economies of Mexico, Canada and the U.S. will eventually rebound.

« Sadly, some companies will fold that will not be able to adapt and they will fail », Sesma said. « These companies will present certain challenges for us when we’re dealing with clients, as well as certain opportunities when the business landscape begins opening up. »

Rodéo du camion : 38 years of fun in Abitibi-Témiscamingue races start in less than 2 weeks

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The municipality of Notre-Dame-du-Nord, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, will host the 38th edition of the Rodéo du camion, from August 2 to 5, 2018. This is one of the biggest events of its kind in Canada and visitors travel by thousands every year to meet El Rodeo, the mascot of the event.

The Rodéo du camion has started in 1981. At that time, it was an attraction at a local fishing tournament. The organization was then very modest and a dozen participants entertained the few hundred spectators. It would have been impossible to predict that the event would become so big and would still occur 38 years later.

In 1986, the organization had the idea to draw a truck, a Mack “Superliner”. After endorsing the loan itself and selling 2,000 raffle tickets, the committee announced a net surplus of $ 93,400 for this 6th edition. The Truck Rodeo became a must, and this idea is now noted as an example.

After 10 years, the organization was able to hire a secretary to ensure a constant development of the event. Then, in 1992, the “Show & Shine”, as well as a flea market are set up. Not to mention the arrival of a general manager in the team. Now, in the summer, three employees are added to the team.

For its 15th edition, it is not only one, but three Peterbilt trucks that have been given in the draw. The prizes then reached a value of $ 400,000, in addition to $ 20,000 in awards and trophies for the “Show & Shine”, and $ 25,000 for the runners.

This year, for the 38th edition, the draw will reach $ 200,000 and the 80 runners will compete for $ 80,000 in bursaries. If he relies on previous editions, the general manager Julien Allaire Lefebvre expects to welcome some 80,000 visitors, including the show of the music group Noir Silence on Thursday night, which inaugurates these new large-scale shows in the festival’s programming.

Weekend tickets are available for $ 35 and raffle tickets are $ 100, which also provides access to the races.

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