Canada Calling – Details, episodes & analysis

On this episode of Nemo Nation, Dave Nemo and Jimmy Mac are joined by Jim Park and Joanne Ritchie of the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC) for a powerful conversation about cross-border collaboration in trucking. As leaders and longtime advocates within the Canadian industry, Jim and Joanne discuss the urgent need for unity—not just within Canada’s provinces, but across North America. From aligning regulatory goals to supporting drivers on both sides of the border, they explore how trucking can be a unifying force in today’s divided world. It’s time to answer the call—for connection, cooperation, and common purpose.

In one of the longest-running segments on Road Gang Radio, Canada Calling returns with Jim Park and Joanne Ritchie of OBAC to tackle a hot topic in Canadian freight: internal trade barriers. From steering axle weights to oversized load permitting and the call for a federal CDL, Jim and Joanne unpack the key takeaways from a recent national Trucking Hackathon. Joanne kicks things off with the context behind Canada’s internal trade agreement, and Jim dives into the nitty-gritty of regulatory friction that’s slowing down east-west supply chains. If you haul north of the border—or just want a peek behind Canada’s policy curtain—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.

In this edition of Canada Calling on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac welcomes Joanne Ritchie of OBAC and Jim Park to celebrate the Canadian trucking industry's efforts to unite like never before.

From coast to coast, drivers, carriers, and industry leaders are working together to tackle challenges, share solutions, and strengthen the future of trucking in Canada. Hear firsthand how this movement is building momentum and why unity is the key to long-term success.

This week on Canada Calling, host Jimmy Mac checks in with Joanne Ritchie and Jim Park from the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC) for the latest updates from north of the border.

Joanne kicks things off with a big shoutout to regular Canada Calling caller Starduster, who helped raise nearly $14,000 for the Nova Scotia Truck Convoy for Special Olympics — part of a record-breaking event that brought together over 200 trucks and raised $185,000, making it the largest convoy in North America! She also recaps the other Canadian Special Olympics convoys in Ontario and Manitoba, where truckers came together once again to support Special Olympics athletes.

Jim Park then turns to the industry front, with updates from British Columbia and Alberta, where both provinces are cracking down on fraudulent truck training schools. Several unsafe training operations have already been shut down as part of the effort to clean up the industry.

Read more: TruckNews.com - Alberta shuts down five unsafe truck driver training schools

Jim also opens a lively discussion on driver training in the age of automation — asking: Have automated transmissions “dumbed down” the process, or is there still real value in learning on a manual?

Read more: TruckNews.com - Is there still value in learning to drive on trucks with manual transmissions?

Catch all that and more on Canada Calling — your go-to source for trucking news and stories from across Canada.

Learn more about OBAC:

http://www.obac.ca/Web/

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows and segments anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen live on YouTube, Facebook, iHeart, and RadioNemo.com!

It’s a fresh October edition of Canada Calling with the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC). Host Jimmy Mac welcomes Jim Park and Joanne Ritchie to talk about the latest headlines affecting Canadian drivers.

Stories Covered:

Canada’s Top Driver of the Year

Congratulations to Mario Bulacso from Steinbach, Manitoba, named 2025 Canadian Driver of the Year. With nearly two decades in the pork industry, Mario is recognized for professionalism, safety, and dedication as a livestock hauler.

Full story: https://www.trucknews.com/human-resou...

Thunder Bay’s New Truck Route

Police began enforcement October 1 on a controversial truck route designed to push trucks off what had become a residential area. Drivers in the region should plan accordingly.

Full story: https://www.trucknews.com/regulations...

Manitoba Highway Safety Tech

Manitoba adds 20 new real-time digital message boards and 19 highway cameras to keep drivers safe and informed. As Joanne says, “I’ll take a roadside digital sign over fiddling with an app on my phone any day.”

Full story: https://www.trucknews.com/health-safe...

Truck Inspection Sticker Scheme

Investigative journalism reveals a troubling scheme: a truck inspection garage was selling annual inspection decals without inspections. Even worse, the stickers came from a U.S. garage in Chicago. The scandal raises big questions about road safety and regulatory oversight.

Full story: https://www.trucknews.com/regulations...

From safety tech to fraud in inspections, Jim and Joanne unpack what this means for drivers and the industry.

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below.

Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne...

Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro...

We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we...

Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...

In this edition of Canada Calling on Road Gang Radio, host Jimmy Mac is joined by Joanne Ritchie and Jim Park from the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC).

This week’s stories span the quirky, the critical, and the cutting-edge:

Fallout Shelter Spa: Joanne brings a wild story out of Nova Scotia — an old Cold War bunker in Debert is being restored as a luxury fallout shelter spa! Locals once called it “the hole,” but today it’s being billed as a safe haven retreat.

Ontario Trucking Enforcement in Crisis: Jim shares his latest TruckNews column, “MTO Fiddles While Ontario’s Trucking Industry Burns Down.” With severe crashes happening almost daily, Jim argues that random inspection blitzes are nothing but smokescreens while the industry faces deeper systemic issues.

???? Cyclelogistics in Canada: Back to Joanne with a look at the trend of shifting last-mile freight from trucks to bicycles and trikes. A recent Pembina Institute report focused on Calgary met lukewarm reception — but Purolator’s e-bike couriers in Ottawa (including in Joanne’s own neighborhood!) say they love the job.

From fallout bunkers to freight bikes, this episode has it all!

Learn more about OBAC: http://www.obac.ca

Call OBAC: 888-794-9990

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below.

Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne...

Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro...

We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we...

Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...

In this edition of Canada Calling, the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC)’s Joanne Ritchie and Jim Park bring Canadian trucking news, analysis, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else.

Toronto Traffic Congestion

Jim Park opens with a discussion of Lorraine Sommerfeld’s recent editorial on traffic congestion in the Greater Toronto Area. From adding lanes to out-of-the-box proposals, he breaks down why some political solutions may only make things worse.

Remembering Ron Turcotte

Joanne Ritchie shares the life and legacy of legendary New Brunswick jockey Ron Turcotte, who passed away at age 84. Known worldwide for riding Secretariat to glory, Turcotte’s story is one of triumph, tragedy, and enduring inspiration.

Jackknife Crash Physics

Jim delivers another “explainer” segment—this time on the science behind jackknife crashes. Why do trucks skid so suddenly, and can it be avoided? The answer might surprise you.

Best Fleets to Drive For

Finally, Joanne highlights the Best Fleets to Drive For program—nominations are now open! Recognizing trucking companies that offer the best workplaces for drivers, this is your chance to shine a light on the fleets making a difference.

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below.

Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne...

Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro...

We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we...

Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...

On this edition of Canada Calling, host Jimmy Mac is joined by the Owner-Operator’s Business Association of Canada (OBAC) to cover three big stories making headlines in Canada’s trucking and transportation world:

Historic Recovery – A piece of joint aviation history has been found: the stolen Amelia Earhart statue from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland. Although damaged, the 700-pound copper sculpture is likely repairable and will return to its rightful place honoring Earhart’s legendary 1932 transatlantic flight.

Air Canada Strike – Flight attendants went on strike over unpaid work, drawing comparisons to the same struggles many truck drivers face. Like drivers, attendants weren’t being compensated for essential duties outside of “on-the-clock” time. The strike ended with attendants winning their demands — what lessons can trucking learn from this?

Truck Safety – OBAC discusses truck rollovers, what causes them, and how drivers can prevent these dangerous incidents. From shifting loads to road conditions and driver reaction times, safety starts with awareness.

Tune in for news, insight, and analysis from OBAC on the issues that matter most to Canadian drivers.

Thanks for tuning in! You can catch our shows anytime on your favorite podcast app or listen on iHeartRadio using the links below.

Nemo Nation: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ne...

Road Gang Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-ro...

We Should Write: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-we...

Trucking with OOIDA: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-tr...