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EDITORIAL
Derek’s deliberation
Let’s finally make that New Year’s resolution stick
Association’s corner
Another new feature of the maga- zine for 2019 is that we will feature a rotating monthly column from each of the western trucking associations.
The first comes from Manitoba, and each will have the opportunity to write three columns throughout the year to touch upon the issues they are working on to help improve our industry.
I urge our readers to be open and honest about these columns and write a letter to the editor telling me your thoughts about what the asso- ciations address in their columns.
I understand not everyone in the industry sees eye-to-eye on all the issues – I’m sure you’ve read some of my columns and thought I had no idea what I was talking about – but if we work together and not simply be dismissive, I think it’s beneficial to all. TW
Derek Clouthier can be reached by phone at (403) 969-1506 or by email at derek@newcom.ca. You can also follow him on Twitter at @DerekClouthier.
I like to start off the New Year with a column reminding truck drivers about the importance of physi- cal and mental health. You really are not unique in any way – being healthy is important for everyone, and truck drivers are no different.
So many jobs in 2019 rely on a person’s ability to sit stationary
for an extended time, something human beings are not naturally sup- posed to do.
By far, the most common cause of death worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, is isch- emic heart disease, otherwise known as coronary heart disease. This is when the arteries that supply blood to your heart become narrowed and restrict blood flow to the heart.
What causes this ailment? Our lifestyle of course – sitting down and being inactive, and eating quick, unhealthy food choices because they are cheap, easy, and convenient.
To treat ischemic heart disease, doctors recommend eating a diet low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium (pretty much the key ingre- dients in any tasty roadside dining option), and get more exercise.
Whether you’re a truck driver, dispatcher, or any other position at a carrier or elsewhere, I urge company executives to provide the flexibility and support for employ- ees to live a healthy lifestyle in the
workplace. Allow drivers and others to have the time each day to be
active – even if that is
just a half-hour to be free and move. Make it worth their while to ensure they are taking advantage of the opportunity by reward- ing them for choosing to be healthy.
There are so many bene- fits to a healthy workforce and population: lower healthcare costs,
lower health premi- ums, more productive staff, a happier work- force, easier to recruit new employees...the list goes on.
Make 2019 the year you make health and wellness a top priority.
New look
I imagine you noticed we have a new logo and name for our western magazine.
Playing on the recognizable Truck News brand, we have decided to rename our two Truck News publi- cations and identify them as West and East.
Truck News – West is the same quality magazine as Truck West always was and will continue to be. Though many of our readers in Western Canada recognized the
Truck West brand, we made the change to better illustrate how Truck News covers the Canadian trucking industry across the country and beyond, yet does so with an emphasis on their particu- lar geographic locations.
Truck News – West will con- tinue to focus on Western Canada – B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the North – while Truck News – East will concen- trate on Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes.
So fear not Truck West fans, the name may have changed, but we have not.
Mark Your Calendar!
APRIL 6, 2019
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APRIL 11-13, 2019
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2019
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www.rttnexpo.com
NORTH
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OCTOBER 28-31, 2019
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January 2019 • Truck News – West 7