Alberta Closes Trucking Company Following Deadly Manitoba Crash

The Alberta government says it has ordered 20 trucking companies to cease operations since October, including a carrier connected to a deadly crash in Manitoba.

Alberta Transport Minister Devin Dreeshen said an investigation into Conquer Transportation Inc. found evidence of deliberate and ongoing non-compliance with transportation safety requirements.

Company Previously Lost Safety Certification in Manitoba

According to the Manitoba government, the business had previously operated in the province under the name Conquer Transport Inc.

The company lost its Manitoba safety certificate in November 2021. It later registered in Alberta under the slightly altered name Conquer Transportation Inc.

Authorities say the company was subsequently involved in a fatal collision in Brandon, Manitoba, in May.

Brandon Crash Killed 49-Year-Old Woman

Brandon police said their preliminary investigation determined that a 35-year-old semi-truck driver failed to stop at a stop sign.

The collision resulted in the death of a 49-year-old woman.

Further details about the crash and any potential charges were not included in the information released.

Manitoba Welcomes Alberta’s Decision

Manitoba Transport Minister Lisa Naylor said she welcomed Alberta’s action against the company and expressed support for the development of a federal trucking database.

Naylor said growing cooperation between provinces and territories is important because transportation safety issues can extend across provincial borders.

Alberta Targets Chameleon Carriers

Dreeshen said 13 of the 20 trucking companies shut down since October, including Conquer Transportation Inc., were identified as so-called chameleon carriers.

Chameleon carriers are companies that attempt to avoid regulatory enforcement by changing business names, creating new corporate entities or moving their operations to another jurisdiction.

Alberta has been working to address the practice while also supporting efforts to establish a national database that could help regulators track problem carriers across Canada.

Provinces and Federal Government Working on Stronger Enforcement

Dreeshen said Alberta continues to cooperate with federal, provincial and territorial partners to strengthen enforcement between jurisdictions.

Part of that work includes improving oversight of trucking companies that attempt to escape previous safety violations by reorganizing or registering elsewhere.

Alberta’s shutdown of 20 trucking companies highlights increased efforts to address transportation safety violations and chameleon carriers.

The action against Conquer Transportation Inc., following its connection to a fatal Manitoba crash, has also renewed calls for stronger nationwide tracking and cooperation between governments.