At a time when the entire political class and the industry of manufacturers and exporters are demanding an end to the blockages that are beginning to undermine the country’s economy, what solutions can be put in place to move the heavyweights?
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The solution is not simple. If the tugs are able to do the work under certain conditions, companies have been threatened not to intervene, for fear of reprisals.
No towing company in Ontario or Quebec wants to be seen moving the behemoths, confirms Réjean Breton, CEO of the Association of Professional Repairers of Quebec, in an interview with 100% News on LCN.
“There are a lot of towing companies that don’t want to intervene out of fear, of course,” explains Mr. Breton.
The government as well as Ontario police forces have contacted certain companies in Quebec to intervene in the blockages.
Réjean Breton, CEO of the Quebec Association of Repair Professionals | screenshot TVA News
“They didn’t want to intervene. […] A tow truck at the start will tow a vehicle for a technical difficulty, currently we see that it is a political difficulty. That’s why there are fears of Quebec tugs to intervene, ”he says.
He maintains that Quebec companies have already been threatened not to get involved in the dispute.
“They have been politely asked not to intervene in the event that there is a demonstration somewhere in Quebec in the coming weeks, even if the authorities request it.”
Réjean Breton considers that there is a degree of danger for tugs related to an intervention in a blockade.
Furthermore, the task of towing heavy goods vehicles requires several manoeuvres, and requires approximately one hour of work, under normal conditions when the driver is cooperating.
“Imagine in the conditions where vehicles are parked a few centimeters from each other and there are many of them at the same time in the same place!”
Obviously, not all tugs can tow heavy goods vehicles, specialized equipment is required. The bill for towing a heavy truck is between $400 and $700.
According to Réjean Breton, the Canadian Armed Forces would be able to carry out the towing and unblocking operation.
“It’s a political problem. At the federal level, there is the Canadian Army, which has heavy-duty tow trucks. Would it be necessary to verify the possibility that the governments bring in these vehicles at inopportune times? I think they had to check on their side,” he concludes.