Opinion/Column

Facebook Marketplace is the 2023 version of a car trunk full of stolen goods - now, when a consumer product "falls off of a truck," it probably lands at an online market. Photo: Facebook
On the Road with Mike MurchisonOpinion/ColumnTrucking

Stolen goods from stolen trailers

Mike Murchison

Ah yes! The underground “black market” of hot goods. Stolen stuff. It’s thriving and as hot as ever – at least, it was in Peel Region until July 19th. 

Operation “Big Rig” put a stop to what we now know was a ring involving 15 individuals. Possibly more. But 15 were charged. Its probably not the end; just an interruption in a trade that will kick back up down the road when things cool down.

Myself, I’ve spent many days and nights visiting, working, and slumbering within the borders of Peel County. Never had any problems unless you count the slow lines at the Tim Hortons.

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Canadian author Cory Doctorow Image: Pluralistic
Opinion/ColumnRide Hailing newsTaxi industry news

“Autoenshittification” allows car makers to steal your data and pick your pocket, Cory Doctorow says

Rita Smith

“Enshittification” is the term Doctorow created in 2022 to describe what happens when an online platform like Amazon or Twitter becomes more monetized and less user-oriented the longer it lasts. These platforms started out serving users by offering features that lure them in; then serve advertisers and third parties by offering ad targeting and deals; and lastly, serve themselves and their shareholders by cheating and exploiting both advertisers and users. Doctorow calls this process “enshittification.”

“Autoenshittification” is when these anti-consumer design and marketing principles are applied to vehicles being packed with digital technologies no one wants.

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Freedom Convoy Trucks in Ottawa, February 2022. Photo: Donna Laframboise
Guest ContributionsOpinion/ColumnTrucking

Guest Contributor

Harold Jonker charged 14 months after Freedom Convoy ends Ottawa police have peculiar priorities by Donna Laframboise Yesterday, I told you about Harold Jonker, of Jonker Trucking, a small company in southern Ontario. 12 Jonker trucks took part in the Freedom Convoy.

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Photo by Ian Cumming. Originally posted to the Ontario Farmer Facebook page, the accompanying text read: “Trucks parked on Wellington Street in Ottawa on January 29, 2022.”
Guest ContributionsOpinion/Column

How big was the Truckers’ Freedom Convoy?

Guest Contributor

Agricultural journalist says it was wildly larger than reported by Donna Laframboise “I come from a long line of farmers,” says Ian Cumming, who covered the Freedom Convoy for the Ontario Farmer newspaper. Which means, he says, he grew up with truckers. On

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Young Trucker Tyler was so demoralized by Canada's COVID mandates, he decided to quit trucking and become a mechanic instead. Photo: Donna Laframboise
Guest ContributionsOpinion/ColumnTrucking

Not a Trucker Anymore

Guest Contributor

“The convoy and life after the convoy has really changed my way of thinking and what I want out of life. I no longer enjoy living in a truck and living out of truck stops for days on end away from family and friends. After losing my job due to the vaccine bullshit and having some time off to sit around and think…I realized that I actually want a home life and a family of my own…

…I also realized that I enjoy fixing trucks more than I enjoy driving them. So I have decided to sell the truck…and chase after another dream. Tomorrow I start a new job where I will be fixing heavy equipment and trucks as an apprentice! I’ll be home every night with weekends off which is something I’ve never had as an owner operator! I’m very excited to start this new life.”

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