Alberta Truck Driver Named Canada’s Driver of the Year

Medicine Hat-based driver has 3.94 million collision free miles in a 33 year career

(Banff, AB, April 25, 2008) – Perley MacDonald, a transport truck driver with McMillan Transport Ltd. of Medicine Hat, Alberta is the Canadian Trucking Alliance/Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for 2007. 

Each year the award goes to a professional transport driver who has a collision-free driving record and is an exemplary truck driver both on and off the road. Nominees for this award come from existing provincial winners of the Volvo Truck Driver of the Year award named in each of the seven Canadian provinces. A panel of judges made up of national safety and law enforcement organizations including: Transport Canada, Canada Safety Council and the Canadian Trucking Alliance makes selection of this award.

The award was presented today to Mr. MacDonald at a dinner during the Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) convention today at the Rimrock Hotel in Banff, Alberta. Mr. MacDonald received a keepsake trophy and a cash prize. He was accompanied by his wife, Delphine, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

“Mr. MacDonald exemplifies the outstanding truck drivers with whom Canadians share the road,” says David Bradley, CEO of Canadian Trucking Alliance. “It is a great honour to recognize him with this highly coveted award.”

"Congratulations Perley, on receiving this prestigious and well deserved award," says Mayne Root, Executive Director of the Alberta Motor Transport Association.  "Thank you for the great legacy of professionalism and safety you are leaving for your fellow drivers and the industry!"

“Perley MacDonald is what you would classify as an ‘old time trucker’, says Rod McMillan President of McMillan Transport Ltd. “He has an amazing sense of humour, is very humble, and is always willing to share his insight and experience with any person that is new to the industry.” Mr. McMillan adds that Perley’s close to four million collision free miles and no preventable collisions makes him a “great” employee.  "Perley’s dedication to our company and customers is excellent and greatly appreciated by everyone.  Congratulations Perley, everyone at McMillan Transport Ltd. is very proud of you and also proud to work with you’, says Rod McMillan.  

Mr. MacDonald transports freight to destinations in Canada’s western provinces. He has been repeatedly honoured for driving excellence and during his lengthy career has been presented with numerous professional awards such as: AMTA Driver of the Month, Alberta Driver of the Year and AMTA Million Mile Award.

For more about the CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year: http://www.ontruck.org/education/award/ndrive.php

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About CTA: The Canadian Trucking Alliance is a federation of provincial trucking associations. We represent a broad cross-section of the trucking industry—some 4,500 carriers, owner-operators and industry suppliers. With our head office in Ottawa and provincial association offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Montreal and Moncton, CTA represents the industry’s viewpoint on national and international policy, regulatory and legislative issues that affect trucking. www.cantruck.ca