TORONTO — Don't lose sight of the road ahead because of a few potholes.

That was the message from David Bradley and the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) in celebration of National Trucking Week.

Bradley called on the industry to come together and promote trucking's role in Canada and truckers' overall dedication to safety and environmental enhancement.

“It’s often said that trucks are the lifeblood of the economy,” Bradley said. “But the truth is that without the hard-working and dedicated drivers, clerks, safety supervisors, mechanics, dispatchers and hundreds of other professionals that in some shape or form keep those trucks moving, the wheels would fly off of the economy entirely.”

But with a "sagging new truck and trailer orders, lackluster carrier confidence, sluggish GDP growth, and a labour market stuck in gear," Bradley said, "you may once again be asking yourselves the same question again as the last two years: Is it really safe to celebrate?"

“I honestly believe that when times get tough, this industry really shows its mettle. We’ve proven it repeatedly,” Bradley continues. “There is no doubt in my mind that this is largely due to the unmatched Canadian spirit — which truckers exemplify through their dedication, no-quit attitude and acceptance of change — that helps us weather cyclical storms when they hit and puts us squarely on the road for growth and sustainability when the clouds part.

“When I look around and see our commitment to ever-improving road safety, including that of other motorists as much as our own; forming stronger dialogue between our industry, government and the public; and environmental responsibility unparalleled by any other transportation mode, I’m truly convinced that we have yet to fully spread our wings and the best days are ahead of us.”

National Trucking Week started as an idea from the Canadian Trucking Alliance in the late ‘90s and now includes events and promotions at carrier companies all over the country.