The Nova Scotia government’s plan to tear up an agreement that ensures work on road contracts in the province weighs heavily on Wayne Bolivar.
He owns 12 trucks, and employs 20 people including drivers, mechanics and office staff and says that this will have a huge impact on his business and staff.
“I won’t be able to afford to stay in business. Every little company will be trying to cut a side deal for the contract. It’ll just be dog eat dog until only the strong survive,” he said.
He says about 1,500 truck drivers’ livelihoods — along with others in related trades and services — are in jeopardy.
Doug Faulkner, president of the Truckers Association of Nova Scotia (TANS), said that Fred Tilley, minister of public works, issued a letter Aug. 13 stating the 80/20 agreement would be terminated at the end of 2025.
He added that TANS, an association of aggregate and asphalt haulers was formed more than 50 years ago. In 1994, the 80/20 agreement was created requiring that local business would supply 80% of the trucks needed for road-building using rates set by the government, while the contractor could bring in the remaining 20%.
The association has 475 members, some single truck owners and others with larger fleets.
Liberal leader wants government to reverse decision
Interim Liberal leader Derek Mombourquette called on the government to reverse its decision, saying it could lead to major job losses for local truckers at a time when Nova Scotians could least afford it.
“We can’t rip the rug out from underneath small businesses and truckers. Ending the agreement without proper consultation or a clear plan leaves people and communities vulnerable,” he told trucknewscom.
The letter from the minister states that the province is taking a leadership role in a Team Canada approach to reducing trade barriers and the 80/20 deal is one such barrier.
“Beginning in 2026, trucking services for Capital Highway contracts will follow a market-based government model,” said the letter obtained by trucknews.com.
The government will honor existing contracts signed before Aug. 13. The minister did not respond to trucknews.com’s request for comment.
TANS’s Faulkner said citing free trade as a reason to end the agreement is not a satisfactory explanation. He added that TANS members hardly every go out of county for work, so this decision affects small, local businesses. Besides the hundreds of drivers affected, there are also people associated with the industry, including tire suppliers, repair shops, fuel companies and back-office staff who will take a hit, he adds.
Faulkner said the association is reaching out to lawmakers to keep the 80/20 rule in place. He owns a 25-year-old Western Star and was busy working when trucknews.com contacted him.
“It is difficult to focus on work during this kind of situation,” he said.
Safety concerns
He added that the association was not consulted. Mombourquette also said that Liberal lawmakers were not consulted and only learned about the decision after truckers in Cape Breton informed them.
Trucking company owner Bolivar said the government move will affect safety. Presently, TANS members ensure their drivers and trucks are safe.
If truckers start cutting rates in a bid to secure contracts, they will start neglecting maintenance leading to safety issues, he noted.
As he watches the situation unfold, Bolivar fears the end of equal opportunity along with business.
