Petition for better driver examiners near goal

A petition created by Truckers for Safer Highways is calling for Ontario to end the practice of contracting Truck driver examinations to a third-party supplier. The petition is nearing its goal of 900 names, with 791 signatures on April 14th.

The petition reads,

“WHEREAS the Auditor General of Ontario conducted a value-for-money  audit which found serious issues with the contract to deliver driver  examinations through a private company; 
WHEREAS the audit found that the contract administration was ineffective  and failed to improve driver examination services for Ontarians; 
WHEREAS the audit found that the ministry faced significant challenges in  holding the service provider accountable;
WHEREAS the audit found that compliance audits of driver examination  services were inconsistent and incomplete;
WHEREAS Trucking industry stakeholders have raised concerns about  commercial driving schools that offer substandard training;
WHEREAS the Ontario Provincial Police data showed that 2023 was the  deadliest year for traffic accidents in Ontario in 15 years; 
WHEREAS rigorous driver training and licensing are necessary to protect road  users from serious and fatal accidents;
WHEREAS Ontario is the only province that contracts non-commercial and  commercial driver examinations to a private company; 

THEREFORE WE the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of  Ontario as follows:

● To pass Bill 224, Safer Driving Tests Act (Ending the Privatization  Failure), 2024; 

● To end private, third-party contracts for driver examinations in Ontario; 
● To return accountability to the system and require that all driver  examinations be conducted by an employee of the Ministry of  Transportation; 

● To demand the Minister of Transportation increase oversight and  enforcement on driver training programs across Ontario; 

● To call on the Minister of Transportation to expand access to driver  examination services in rural, northern, and remote areas of Ontario.  

Petition created and Published by the Truckers for Safer Highways Team”