n THE CARILLON STEINBACH, MAN. B12
n www.thecarillon.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
NATIONAL TRUCKING WEEK
SEPTEMBER 6-12, 2026
by GREG VANDERMEULEN A Morris insurance company is continu- ing a local tradition to honour truckers and make National Trucking Week one to be celebrated. Rempel Insurance is hosting a honk chal- lenge on Sept. 11. From 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., the special event takes place outside Rempel Insurance. appreciation gift bags for truckers. “Our team and community will be out to cheer you on and say thank you for keeping our economy moving,” they said. Honk challenge celebrates truckers “Come hock, cheer, and thank our incredi- ble truck drivers,” they said in a Facebook post advertising the event. “Let’s fill the street with noise and appreciation.” The event will also include a bouncer and
CASSIDY DANKOCHIK THE CARILLON
A semi makes its way through Morris, the community that will host a honk challenge on Sept. 11.
7 things you didn’t know about trucking in Canada
Canadian truckers: united by the road
F rom Sept. 6 to 12, Canadians celebrate National Trucking Week, a time to recog- nize the drivers who knit this vast coun- try together. Stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific to the Arctic, Canada’s geography demands a transportation network driven by resilience, skill and dedication. Truck drivers are the human link that keeps communities connected, supply chains functioning and the national economy moving. Here are just a few ways truckers support Canada’s way of life: • Community lifelines. In northern, rural and remote regions, truckers deliver food, medicine, fuel and essential goods that sustain daily life. Without them, many communities would be far more isolated. • Local economic security. Small towns rely on trucking to move agricultural products, manufactured goods and supplies that keep local businesses viable and competitive. • Emergency response. During wildfires,
floods and storms, drivers deliver relief sup- plies, generators, water and equipment that help communities recover. • High skill navigation. From mountain passes and prairie highways to ice roads and dense urban corridors, Canadian truckers operate with accuracy in some of the world’s most challenging road conditions. • Professional commitment. Long hours, challenging schedules, and time away from home reflect the commitment behind every delivery. The trucker’s life is demanding, often un- seen, but essential to the daily life of every Canadian. Their work supports communities, drives the economy and keeps the country connected, no matter the distances. National Trucking Week is a time to recognize the contributions made by more than 300,000 Canadians who keep the country’s freight moving. Learn more by visiting cantruck.ca.
T he trucking industry lies at the heart of our country’s economy. There are over 300,000 truck drivers in Canada and over 400,000 people working in the industry. Here are seven more facts and figures about truck- ing in Canada. 1. The average long-haul trucker logs more than 160,000 kilometres a year. 2. The average big rig can carry more than 35,000 kilograms (80,000 pounds or 40 tons) of weight. 3. The engines of semi-trucks are six times bigger than car engines. They can chug along for more than 1.6 million kilometres, where- as car engines usually give out before logging 300,000 kilometres.
4. Today’s clean diesel semi-trucks are vastly more energy efficient than their predecessors. It would take 60 of them to generate the same amount of exhaust as one semi-truck from 1988. 5. The Canadian trucking industry generates more than $138 billion in revenue each year. 6. Close to 90 percent of consumer goods in Canada are delivered by truck. 7. Trucking forms the backbone of com- merce between Canada and the United States, accounting for about 60 percent of our cross-border trade. This National Trucking Week, show your ap- preciation for truck drivers and the crucial role they play in our economy.
STEINBACH, MAN. THE CARILLON n B13
www.thecarillon.com n
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
Would you make a good truck driver? T
Truckers in popular culture
from Texarkana to Atlanta in his big rig. It was the second highest grossing film of 1977 after Star Wars. The theme song to the film, “East Bound and Down” by Jerry Reed, was also a huge hit, peaking at number two on the U.S. country music charts. If you dream of the open road, these and oth- er trucking classics are sure to strike a chord. CB slang In the 1970s, truckers were instrumental in the development of CB slang, a type of an- ti-language frequently used by truck drivers over CB radio. Some terms eventually slipped into mainstream culture. Here are a few inter- esting ones. • Alligator: a blown-out tire on the road • Bear/mama bear/baby bear: police officer/ woman police officer/rookie police officer • Crotch rocket: a motorcycle • Dragon wagon: tow truck • Hammer down: step on the gas pedal/drive quickly • Hundred mile coffee: very strong coffee • Motion lotion: diesel fuel • Nap trap: a rest area • Rubbernecks: drivers slowing down to look at something, usually an accident • Toenails in the radiator: full speed • Wall-to-wall and ten feet tall: clear, strong signal
ruckers play an important role in popu- lar culture. They’ve long been represent- ed as modern-day cowboys, embody- ing such ideals as independence, freedom, non-conformity and competence. This image inspired a number of movies and songs, espe- cially in the 1960s and 1970s, many of which are now considered classics. Here are a few that stand out. Six Days on the Road Dave Dudley’s rendition of this song about life as a long-haul trucker was a huge hit when it was released in 1963, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. This twangy tune is a humorous lament of life as a long-haul trucker, with lyrics that bemoan highway patrolmen, scale weigh-ins and long stints on the road. Convoy This song tells of a “little convoy rockin’ through the night” and was a number one hit in 1976. It’s about a group of truckers evading speed traps and toll booths and organizing a protest over Citizens Band (CB) radio. The tune was so popular when it came out that it inspired a successful movie of the same name starring Kris Kristofferson. Smokey and the Bandit This comedic action movie starring Burt Reynolds and Sally Field follows “The Bandit” (Reynolds) as he bootlegs 400 cases of Coors
I f you’re looking for a secure, well-paying, accessible job, you should consider driving a big rig. Here are some things to keep in mind when determining whether it’s the right career for you. Do you mind working alone? As a truck driver, you need to be able to keep yourself company. For some people, spending so much time alone can be a challenge. Oth- ers are lone wolves who enjoy solitude. It really comes down to your personality. At the same time, there’s a strong sense of community among truck drivers. You won’t be short on opportunities to form lasting friend- ships with fellow truckers. Do you enjoy freedom and adventure? If you want to escape the nine-to-five work- day and basically be your own boss, trucking
may be a great option. Most truck drivers enjoy flexible schedules and get to meet new people and see new places every day. In other words, you get to travel and be paid for it. Moreover, many truck drivers can choose the number of hours they work. This makes it a popular part-time gig for previously retired individuals returning to the job market. Are you looking for a career change? Truck driving represents a seamless transi- tion for many people who are changing jobs or re-entering the job market. It involves only a short training period, offers high job security and boasts solid pay. Can you see yourself behind the wheel of a semi? Chat with truckers online or in your community to learn more about life on the open road.
O
TRUCKINGWEEK SEPT6-12,2026
DRIVERS THANK YOU
CLEARVIEW COOP
LUBRICANTS | FUEL | PROPANE
FUELLING YOUR COMMUNITY
n THE CARILLON STEINBACH, MAN. B14
n www.thecarillon.com THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026
THANK YOU TO OUR DEDICATED TRUCKERS!
Celebrating 78 years, Big Freight has grown from a modest four truck operation providing local cartage services in Southeast Manitoba into a specialized carrier with more than 600 pieces of rolling stock servicing all of North America. Our professional team provides services and solutions in four key specialties: Asset-Based Freight Management, Logistics Management, Fleet Maintenance and Warehousing & Distribution. Established in 1948, Big Freight Systems is a leading Canadian asset-based flatbed and specialized trucking and freight management company based in Steinbach and Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. As Big Freight continues to expand its operations, we maintain our mission by continually raising the bar and seeking excellence in the freight management industry.
As one of Manitoba’s longest running trucking companies, Big Freight has what you need...award winning solutions, the best drivers, equipment and technology!
www.bigfreight.com
A TFI INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
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