The Canadian Trucking Alliance is angry about a new
border-crossing charge being imposed by the United States Department of
Agriculture.
The department says the increase is needed to cover the cost
of food inspections.
But the Canadian Trucking Alliance says it’s not fair that
all truckers, no matter what they’re carrying or even if their trucks are
empty, have to pay the fee.
It’s increasing from $105 per truck per year to $320. For
single crossings without a pass, the increase is from $5.25 to $8.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance figures the increase will add
$15.5 million a year to border-crossing costs and claims it’s a violation of
the North American Free Trade Agreement.
In 1999 the Alliance won a court challenge over a U.S.
border-crossing fee increase.
