Canada Calling

Canada Calling: Highway Heroes, IRP Updates, and Fake News in Trucking – June 20th, 2025
On this edition of Canada Calling on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac is joined by Jim Park and Joanne Ritchie of the Owner-Operator's Business Association of Canada (OBAC) for a wide-ranging conversation on the latest headlines and hot topics in Canadian trucking.
Joanne kicks things off by honoring Canada’s newest Highway Angel, Oleksandr Tkachuk, an owner-operator from Edmonton who was recognized by the Truckload Carriers Association for administering CPR during a roadside emergency. His heroic actions exemplify the spirit and bravery found across the trucking community.
Jim provides a critical update on Ontario’s IRP (International Registration Plan) situation, where long-standing application delays may finally be coming to an end as the province prepares to lift extensions on June 30.
Looking ahead, Joanne shares opportunities through Trucking HR Canada’s Career ExpressWay, a student work placement program aimed at introducing post-secondary students to non-driving roles in the industry—an important step toward attracting the next generation of industry professionals.
And finally, Jim breaks down his latest column addressing the rise of fake news in trucking Facebook groups and fringe websites. With sharp insight and a bit of irony, he explores why misinformation spreads so quickly, even among those most critical of mainstream media.
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