REGINA, SK – Outgoing chairman of the Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA), Graham Newton, says the group has made significant gains in the last year, but still has a long way to go.

Newton spoke to the group’s members at its annual general meeting (AGM) on Saturday, saying victories in 2016-2017, including getting approval for the use of super single tires in the province, and maintaining support with Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall in their fight against the proposed federal carbon tax, do not mean current members can become complacent in their lobbying efforts.

Newton also said the group will be heavily pushing membership on those fleets in the province that already see the advantages of the STA’s lobbying efforts without being involved.

“The era of non-member companies reaping the benefits of years of membership dues and volunteer hours will hopefully fade away,” he said.

The STA has set a goal for rapid membership growth, hoping to grow by 10% in the next 12 months.

Newton’s term was at an end this year. He will remain on the board of directors for another two-year term, and is assuming the post of past chairman of the board of directors.

Board member Reg Quiring of Q-Line Trucking was named the new chairman of the board for a two-year term. Quiring’s nomination was unchallenged during the meeting’s elections, as were the nominations of all new and returning board members.

Brett Marcoux was named as the vice-chairman for the remainder of his term, as well.

Those board members given a further two-year term were Glen Ertell, Harvey McClelland, Don Paul, Garth Pitzel, Greg Ridsdale, and Dough Siemens.

New board members nominated for a two-year term were James Gordon and Nithi Govindasamy, a former Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Highways for the province.

An auditor from the Virtus Group reported that although the STA has less cash on hand, and less excess revenue than last year, they are still in good financial health.

Virtus said the sale of a building in 2016 was the reason for the high injection of cash last year. The one-time event gave the group higher-than-normal revenues for the year, while expenditures on a new building decreased cash-on-hand for 2017.

The meeting concluded with a brief address from a candidate for the leadership of the Saskatchewan Party, to replace out-going premier Brad Wall after a decade at the helm.

Alanna Koch said that if she is elected the next premier of the province, she will maintain the party’s hard line on a proposed federal carbon tax, saying it isn’t really a science-based approach to reducing carbon emissions.

Koch said she would also like to work to reduce red tape for business in the province, while making increased investments in infrastructure.

Koch feels provinces need more time to get ready for the legalization of marijuana, although she doesn’t believe there will be any movement from the federal government on the July 1, 2018 date. She hopes to have the best system in place to keep roads safe in the time the province has been given.