ELD mandate delayed in Nova Scotia

The start of an electronic logging mandate has been delayed in one Canadian province.

The requirement for the Canadian province of Nova Scotia was scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. However, Nova Scotia’s Department of Public Works in October told trucking associations and industry stakeholders that it would indefinitely delay the start of the provincial mandate.

“While the Department of Public Works recognizes the potential benefits of requiring carriers operating only in Nova Scotia to install and use ELDs, we have decided to take some time to continue monitoring the implementation of the federal and other provincial/territorial mandates and seek industry input before making a final decision on the provincial approach,” the agency said in an email to local trucking groups. “DPW remains committed to commercial vehicle safety and will communicate updates and consult with the industry as things progress.”

According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, no new target date has been provided for implementing ELD regulations at the provincial level.

With this delay, Nova Scotia joins Alberta and Saskatchewan as the only Canadian provinces that do not require provincial ELDs.

Canada’s federal ELD mandate

After several delays, enforcement of the country’s federal mandate for ELDs began in January 2023.

Unlike in the U.S., Canada’s ELD hardware and software must be tested and certified by a third-party certification body accredited by the Minister of Transport. The Canadian government has sanctioned nearly 100 devices.

While the federal mandate covers all commercial vehicles that traverse provincial borders, the Canadian government left it up to individual provinces to determine the regulations for interprovincial carriers. Provincial ELD use is now required in eight of the 11 eligible Canadian provinces.

In 2023, three provinces have begun requiring ELDs on interprovincial trucks.

Citing “administrative delays,” Quebec rolled out its provincial ELD mandate in April. In August, British Columbia joined the other Canadian provinces in enforcing ELD use for provincial carriers. As of press time in early November, Newfoundland’s provincial ELD mandate was set to take effect on Dec. 1. LL