British Truckers Abroad

I've always found it hard to accept that the Canadian Government, federal or provincial, subsidises immigrant drivers. Government spending is open to public scrutiny, and if these payments existed they would be on record and available to all. If that were the case, I don't think even the laid back Canadians would stand for it, and the public outcry would be huge. As Mick said, no proof has ever been offered, just lots of conspiracy theories.

Eyup Ian, your location says PEI... did you sneak back? LOL.

No Mick, but I'm tempted. I wasn't there long, but long enough for Canada to make a lasting impression. I love the place, and can't get it out of my head. I've still got a TWP in my passport with over a year left to run, so I could land and start work tomorrow. The problem is, with all the things that have been said about the Bulk Carriers and PEI, I don't think the wife would let me go back there.

Back on track with this thread, I have spoken to Jack Kelly and Mike Schut about this court case. I was told that the incident in question occured a long time ago when the PNP scheme was in it's infancy. At the time, Bulk used an agency, which provided bad advice about a drivers return flight. He had gone to another company, and Bulk were advised that his new employers were responsible. It was claimed that this was a genuine mistake, and I believe them. I think that the judge believed them too, hence the $2,000 donation, rather than a hefty fine.

The information about the companies responsibilities regarding PNP is freely available, and ignorance is a very weak defence.

They told you it was a mistake caused by an agency....BUT...

"In court Tuesday, Schut said that when it looked like workers would leave before their contract was up, Bulk Carriers changed the contract provisions and withheld the return flight costs. The company withheld the return flight costs of 21 immigrant workers in an attempt to stop them from leaving, Schut admitted.

He said for one worker in particular, the withheld cost amounted to $1,000."

Sorry Ian, they explained to you about ONE mistake, but admitted in court deliberately withholding flight costs AND changing contracts for 21 drivers...hardly a genuine mistake!

At Westcan they said they would have to top up wages to the minimum LMO amount unless it was documented that the driver turned down work(yes there are a few of them out there that do that!)

Where are all the people who were treated badly, or ripped off by Bulk then?
I was contacted by a reporter from CBC who is looking for ex drivers, back in the UK, or still in Canada who were 'disadvantaged' by them.

How come its you who is always ''contacted'' by these types of people?

Probably because I am the only one who hasn't fooked off from the blogs or forums at the slightest criticism from the ones (mainly) in Canada who like to label all people who make a different choice to themselves as losers.

I also make it easy to contact me, and find my real name.

Strangely enough, there is not a single person, from all the e-mails I received from ex h&R drivers who is willing to let me use their real name when they tell me their tales of woe... they also nearly all say, "someone should say/do something about the crap companies", but then go on to stay anonymous.

BTW: Curt, if you were just doubting my honesty, I can PM you with the reporters details, and part of the e-mail she sent me (un-solicited)!

another post with nothing to do with H and R turned to H and r

full name published as usuall

Are you turning it into H&R because nowhere in the posts you quoted are they mentioned

Not doubting anything Mick. Just curious.

I think the simple reason is that the blogs and my e-mail are easy to find, but obviously I can't help her regarding Bulk as I never worked there.

This is a forum for drivers wanting to go to Canadian companies, so ANY info, even if it's repetitive, is useful to people doing research...so, what is your problem?

Also, what is your opinion of the Bulk Carriers case, and are you considering Canada as a career move?

I am a driver i do want to go to canada and i have read you blog and comments and others on other companies it has been usefull and some realy good help with questions. I dont have a problem except if i can put it in a nice way i am reminded of the story of the little boy who cried wolf.

I have read back on the case and not being an expert realy do not feal i am able to coment on the case but would say if the rules are not obeyed or some one breaks them and they get caught they should expect to prosecuted

Please keep this post on track. It's about Bulk Carriers and not about H&R or any other subject.

basicly what i was saying

I'm not sure if you understand the parable about the boy who cried wolf, as he was a liar... unless you are saying I'm a liar!

Are you considering either Bulk, or the other unmentionable company for a job, and if not, why the worry about any criticism towards companies in Canada?

If you are going to either company, please come back here and let us know how you are doing after a few months (but only if you are going to be positive).

P.S. "not being an expert realy do not feal i am able to coment on the case"
You don't need to be an expert to give an opinion on reported facts which are admitted by the defendants!

i refer to the quote that is the point

I work for Bulk & intend to continue to do so. Any questions, pls ask. You will get a straight answer. But only when i get an internet connection.

That is very naive Ian, are you telling me that you know exactly where all your taxes are being spent and that the government, whether UK or Canadian, use all their cash and spend it in the way which they are supposed to.

No, of course I don't, but, in the UK, the Freedom of Information Act means that the Goverment would have to tell me if I asked - unless the answer would risk national security or damage the national interest.

Spending tax payers money to subsidise foreign workers would be a hugely controversial decision, and the governments opponents and trade unions would stop at nothing to expose it. If the Canadian Government were inclined to spend huge amounts on the Canadian trucking industry as subsidies, it would make far more sense, and would be much more popular, to use that money to encourage more Canadians into the industry.

As you know Ian, Canada has a totally different outlook on immigration than any other country. It is a country that has been built by immigration and to some extent relies on it to keep the country afloat.
I disagree that their would be public outcry if money was being spent on immigrants, most citizens can actually see the benefits for the country and the problems they would face if immigration was to be made difficult.
The money is not being used to "subsidise foregn workers" the foreign worker sees absolutely nothing of it, but if these allegations are true, it is going direct to the trucking companies which in turn is supposed to benefit the economy as a whole (if it is not abused).
UK companies get grants to assist in setting up driver training programmes, I have been involved in these directly so that is fact. A lot of this money was used to help train eastern European drivers, any outcry for the UK population?? A few murmers but it still carried on, so why wouldn't the Canadian government step in to help keep Canadian companies afloat when their is an alleged driver shortage?
The cash grants can be called whatever the government decide and recorded as such.
I do believe that the companies are gaining something from it otherwise most of these companies would no longer be viable due to the amount of money spent on recruitment, immigration and training alone without taking into account the economy.
You know as well as I do that every company that employs immigrants also employs full time recruiters, pays or employs someone to do all the immigration paperwork, driver trainers and the list goes on, who pays for all that??

Please stop wrecking the equipment, these guys looking to move over will have nothing to drive.