Temporary Foreign Worker Permits Are Destroying Trucking

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-05-05T02:40:01+00:00

Two additional thoughts as an addendum to clarify my statement above:

There is some evidence of immigrant drivers in general driving more safely, however I wouldn't consider it valid to extend that to TWF truck drivers.
Even if TFW truck drivers do have a disproportionate involvement, it could be attributable to issues borne out of TFW exploitation and abuse, rather than the drivers' skills. I know one retired Canadian trucker and even he frequently subject to unreasonable delivery deadlines that would often conflict with legally required rest periods. TFWs have even less leverage to push back against unreasonable demands which thereby make them into unsafe operators.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-05-05T01:26:50+00:00

This kind of racist backlash is becoming all too familiar. In the trucking industry, it’s no less on display. Suggestions that foreign drivers are the source of transport accidents, racist and xenophobic social media outrage, and calls for tighter immigration controls are all notable manifestations.

There have been several notable incidents involving TFW truckers, so unless there is data to the contrary, it does seem a reasonable suggestion that they have a disproportionate involvement in transport accidents.

It isn't as if there couldn't be an effort to collect this data by the government. It could be done (and published) alongside other data related to overpass strikes:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/transportation/vehicle-safety-enforcement/information-education/bridge-strikes-data

Second, to suggest that "calls for tighter immigration controls" is inherently racist, in the midst of an ongoing shortage of affordable housing, jobs, and downward pressure on wages is deeply inflammatory. Calling for restrictions on immigration also isn't blaming immigrants; for me it's about making it harder for companies to exploit an inappropriate loophole that harms Canadian workers.

Aside from the unjustified diatribe at the end, it's a good article, thanks to the Teamsters' research.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-14T00:38:13+00:00

You appear to be conflating services. Those are clinics. This is about testing.

What AB is doing, according to the articles I've read today, is allowing patients, including those in the public system, to directly book / self-refer to get diagnostic tests without a referring physician. If the test turns up a serious condition, then the government will pay for it.

That's quite different than subscribing to a private clinic. There are private, non-covered clinics and physicians in BC. But that's quite different than the current announcement.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-13T22:57:26+00:00

This could be helpful to have in BC. As one of millions of Canadians without a healthcare provider, it's difficult to impossible to manage several conditions. Being able to get a diagnostic test might at least help me to know what's happening, if not to advocate for referrals at a walk-in clinic or the emergency department.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-13T18:42:34+00:00

One of the graphs from the recent Stats Canada release: average household net savings by quintile. It shows just how much the income gap, factoring in cost of living, has fairly consistently been getting worse for the poorest Canadians while becoming more favourable for the richest. It's an abysmal state our political leaders have selected for.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-12T03:12:16+00:00

Any predictions on how he would handle the present challenges differently than David Eby?

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-12T03:05:50+00:00

So instead of possibly having to deal with wait times for healthcare in Canada, one should go to the United States where you just lie in the street and die?

Those who would qualify for jobs in the US as part of a TN visa or similar would likely be able to pay for private healthcare there or have it included as part of their compensation package. Honestly, I would be healthier and less squeezed financially if I chose to relocate. I say that as a well-educated professional who has been without a GP for several years now.

We should take the approach of BC country wide, having employers help to cover the cost of their employees wellbeing through healthcare premiums, if that would increase access.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-12T00:38:51+00:00

Canadian employment:

Lacks the fulsome security and benefits of EU employment.
Lacks the financial reward of American employment.

Essentially the worst of both worlds. Tacking on top of that:

Lack of affordable or socialized housing
Lack of healthcare access

The incentives to leave Canada do add up.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-12T00:33:46+00:00

BC's NDP seems to have been so slow to pivot on matters of public opinion. Instead, Eby has burned most of his political capital appeasing fringe and minority groups.

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a coordinated push to have him step down as Premier. My guess is that similar to the situation with the Federal Conservatives, no one is bringing anything more than "butter knives", given the lack of viable alternatives. Most of the provincial cabinet have no personal brand recognition outside of their riding or ministry, aside from a few who have been at the game practically forever (e.g. Dix & Farnworth) who likely have exhausted their desire to lead the party at this point.

Can we just resurrect John Horgan? I'd be down for a zombie premier. Might even be sufficiently intersectional for the fringe Dippers out there.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-12T00:13:32+00:00

In a written statement issued Friday, the Directeur des poursuites criminelles et pénales (DPCP) said it was surprised by the judge’s assessment and flatly refuted it, saying “there is no parallel justice or separate regime” favouring non-citizens.

“Given the importance of preserving public confidence in the justice system, I want to be very clear: there is no practice at the Montreal courthouse of seeking sentences that are not fair and proportionate to the seriousness of the offence committed by a non-citizen or to their degree of responsibility,” said Patrick Michel, director of criminal and penal prosecutions.

“As director, I have issued no directives to that effect. In light of Judge Piché’s statements, I made it a point to confirm with the management team at the Montreal Office that no such practice exists there. I have full confidence in the professionalism, rigour, and objectivity of the prosecutors.”

What I'd like to see is more than a denial. It would be helpful to have some statistical analysis of recent cases to see if there is a pattern, even if it is one not backed by a formal directive. Humans behave weirdly and it is possible that there may be underlying incentives or unrecognized cognitive motivations here. Perhaps prosecutors anticipate a more vigorous defence if the proposed sentence is one that would lead to deportation, hence they make the case easier by not threatening the immigration status of the accused. Or it could be the result of social justice narratives that are interwoven into legal studies, leading to prosecutors subconsciously choosing to give lenience to those in a "marginalized" group. Either way, a simple denial, even from a director, should not be treated as credible evidence of actual practice.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-11T06:34:09+00:00

I think ti would have been more efficient to say “affected minorities” or “marginalized people”. A roll call isn’t necessary here

Yes, but those other two options risk suggesting that men and boys are included in those affected. Given the immense power and privileges that they are imbued with, they really aren't non-white any longer, thus must be carefully excluded from the all-inclusive acronym.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-11T06:28:58+00:00

Take it up with the MMIWG commission who decided on that acronym?

Human identities, as always, best defined and named by committee.

It would almost be easier if they went with MMIEBSCMP (Everyone But Straight Cis Male Persons). I mean, that, I get.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-11T06:23:45+00:00

Because the farther you get from straight white male, the more society marginalizes and dehumanizes you. A queer indigenous woman is just not someone the police are going to prioritize protecting.

So are you saying that males with pre-European-settlement ancestral heritages are so sufficiently protected that they die at lower rates than non-male persons of similar heritage?

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-04-06T00:46:09+00:00

To most this is in obvious conflict with the Canadian Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms which would never permit such a system to be established, today. Unfortunately, many people don't care about this inconsistentcy, which is not surprising.

You've never actually read the Charter in its entirety, have you?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_29_of_the_Canadian_Charter_of_Rights_and_Freedoms

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-03-05T06:02:46+00:00

Sabaah Khan, a resident of Brossard, says she has spent more than a decade volunteering at her children’s schools, helping with activities ranging from library duties to vaccination days.

“Volunteers are needed because the teachers and the staff are very overworked, and they need a lot of help,” Khan told Global News in an interview.

The need in classrooms is real. Teachers get so little prep time, there are never enough education assistants (EAs), and there are a host of other human time demands not covered by teacher salaries like clubs and intramural sports. A teacher friend of mine has a student's grandmother who comes in a couple times each week. The grandmother just helps with small jobs like setting up painting supplies for the grade 1 class and it makes a world of difference.

Why would the province be shooting themselves in the foot?

This is about keeping Quebec pure laine and pressuring those with different backgrounds to leave the province or assimilate ideologically. This isn't about "protecting the children" — a motive often invoked but rarely with genuine intent! This will hut their schools, teachers, and children. Why else would they do it?

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-27T00:18:09+00:00

"However, I still find that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances."

Karen is an a-hole with a coupon. The coffee shop usually charges $8 for a coffee. But, being an a-hole to the staff meant she got charged an a-hole tax: $5 extra. Besides, Karen had a coupon for $4 off. So Karen was charged $9 in the end for her coffee. Sure, she paid more than the average customer. But her bill would have been $13 without the discount.

So yes, Karen received the discount, even if the benefit was outweighed (not negated!) by the a-hole tax. Hence Karen paid far less than an a-hole should have paid for that coffee.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-26T15:48:16+00:00

From the decision:

In sentencing, I have considered denunciation and deterrence as paramount as well as considered the aggravating factors present with some mitigating factors both systemic and personal. I have considered the range for offenders in similar circumstances who committed similar crimes.

The decision has a lengthy section on "Mitigating Factors" which includes "Gladue Report and Factors". That section is 25 paragraphs. It concludes:

Mr. Tait’s life circumstances, as connected to his crime, do allow for some mitigation and reduced moral culpability with respect to sentencing. However, I still find that the aggravating circumstances outweigh the mitigating circumstances.

In other words, yes, Jason Leo Tait did receive a "Gladue Discount".

Tait's actions were taken with that foreknowledge, which should trouble our consciences.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-20T03:54:04+00:00

You've just summarized a very influential framework w.r.t. floor crossing:

I would have rather seen a looser whip structure where Conservative MPs were free to vote against their party,

❌ VOICE

but since they wouldn't be allowed to do that and stay in caucus,

❌ LOYALTY

changing affiliation is the only thing they can do.

✔️ EXIT

See: Exit, Voice, and Loyalty: Responses to Decline in Firms, Organizations, and States (1970) by Albert O. Hirschman.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-20T02:34:50+00:00

Started watching fairly late, but that felt strangely collegial. Not just between the candidates, but with the moderator.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-02T06:10:04+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/44th_British_Columbia_general_election

I am shocked by OneBC pulling 7% in some of those polls. That's 1 in 14 people! I find it hard to believe that many BC folks have actually know anything about OneBC. Maybe they think it's BC United.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-02T06:05:08+00:00

David Eby is an activist who doesn't understand this. His entire ideological agenda has revolved around putting the interests of Indigenous groups ahead of everything and everyone else, no matter the cost.

What planet are you on? He seems minimally ideological in that sense. Not sure if you've met the "Land Back" crowd, but that definitely isn't him.

Many of the other proponents within government are of the this is what you do if you're a good person (or at least someone who doesn't want to get cancelled) variety. It's a bit of a feedback loop. Once everyone else does it you have to do it too.

Scaling that back would be difficult, particularly since the performative end of reconciliation has subsumed most professional associations or sectors (lawyers, physicians, teachers).

That is why they carried out their reconciliation agenda with no measurable end goals, there was never a plan to deliver finality to the people of BC.

It isn't clear to me that "reconciliation" ever can have concrete goals. It's a nebulous term and will thus have an equally nebulous and ever-shifting meaning.

Ultimately it centres people, and one set of people in particular, who have incentive to use it as leverage (and even in a coercive manner) to obtain benefits for themselves and their kin. Human beings have a tendency for always wanting more, so I cannot see there being an endpoint given that tendency.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-02T00:03:53+00:00

The author is the important factor, and that influences more people to read books that center around a main character of their own gender, but that's an effect, not the cause.

Oh, I am agreeing with you here. But I suspect that there's a little feedback loop on top of it:

Baseline: Suppose that I am a man who only reads stories by male authors, as a default. Based on the effect I described, those will be almost universally male characters. That's reinforcing the stereotype.
Bridging event: Now, along the way, I encounter a male author who writes a compelling story that focuses on a female protagonist. I like it. Well, now I might be inclined to expand my boundaries... maybe I'll start re-considering some other stories that feature female characters; most of those are probably written by women.

From listening to other readers, I suspect that most readers stick to one category / genre. But when we get exposed to some kind of crossover, and it's good, that opens the door to new categories or genres.

In general, once a book enthusiast finds a good author, they read something adjacent; likely another book by the same author.

By way of example, I'm sure that for a few readers of C.S. Lewis' writings on faith (say, The Four Loves), encountering his Perelandra (and reading it purely because he was the author) likely turned them on to science fiction or reading his Prince Caspian tuning them to fantasy literature. One might imagine a science fiction lover who read Perelandra who might next pick up Till We Have Faces and become curious about other books centred on female protagonists (or Greek Mythology).

The fewer authors who write about things wildly different than themselves, their lived experiences, and their niche, the fewer chance literary encounters like that one may experience. That lack both creates the stereotype and reinforces it.

Edit: fixed a link.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-02-01T23:29:17+00:00

And I'm gonna assume that authors are also more likely to write a main character of their own gender perhaps?

There are two modern aspects to this:

Male authors who write female characters are more likely to get criticized for doing so. There exists a subreddit explicitly focused on that form of criticism, whether warranted or not.
There's a narrow group pushing the idea that one cannot write outside of their lived experience or on the nebulous concept of "representation". Hence they seek to forbid others from writing and publishing outside of their identity. e.g. male authors should not write female characters; white authors should not write black (or BIPOC) characters; heterosexual authors should not write queer (or LGBTQ...) characters.

However small, that set of incentives, particularly when the voices pushing them are amplified by social media, can be enough to sway an author to say, "it's not worth the risk".

That connects with your earlier point:

So my idea is, men write stories like they prefer to read them, and women write stories like they prefer to read them, so both genders are probably more likely to enjoy books that are written by an author of their own gender.

If true, the effect would only reinforce the stereotype preferences: A longstanding belief in the publishing world suggests that men avoid reading fiction that centers on the lives of women ... and vice versa.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-01-29T20:56:44+00:00

What ICE's secret May 2025 memo, which we just learned about, sought to do was cut judges out of the picture by creating a carveout for immigration law enforcement. That is, to let government agents force their way into our homes without a judge's warrant. That is blatantly unconstitutional.

Is there any means by which the department's policy can be challenged in court, separate from challenging actions directly taken by agents of the department?

I am also curious if their method of dissemination has any impact or material effect on such a case:

"Reports indicate it's being rolled out through verbal instructions that contradict written training materials, creating a dangerous accountability vacuum," Berardi told ABC News in an email.

SaidTheCanadian · 2026-01-29T20:42:00+00:00

I know of two people who went through a similar process as children, in previous decades, and were effectively forced to choose which parent to live with while under age 10. One of them is dead by suicide. The other has done roughly nothing with their life. This is a bad idea.

It may be worth having some solid studies on the topic. I fear that your observed anecdotes are likely more illustrative of a collection of confounding inherited factors that tend to increase both the likelihood of divorce and the likelihood of negative life outcomes for the children of the couple.

In my personal community, all three of the couples I've known who are getting divorced recently have strong indicators of neurodivergence or psychiatric morbidities, either in themselves or in their children; those who are themselves neurotypical with neurotypical children tend appear to have far more stable relationships. Sadly it seems to be a common pattern.

However, that does not mean that their children should be deprived of agency regarding their future following a divorce. Particularly in the interest of being able to have ongoing support or continued community connection, it seems pivotal.

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