Alberta Minister Devin Dreeshen shuts down Conquer Transportation after fatal crash

Alberta Transport Minister Devin Dreeshen announced that the province has taken extensive action to improve commercial trucking safety. The government issued 443 administrative penalties and removed 20 unsafe carriers from Alberta’s roads, including 13 so‑called “chameleon carriers” that change names or jurisdictions to evade oversight.

Following a fatal collision in Brandon, Manitoba on May 27, 2026, where a Conquer Transportation semi‑truck ran a stop sign and killed 49‑year‑old Xiaoyun Zhang, the province shut down Conquer Transportation Inc. The carrier was fined $16,500, its safety‑fitness rating was downgraded to “unsatisfactory,” and it was ordered to cease operations. The driver, Brijpal Panwar, was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

The crackdown also saw 20 trucking companies closed since October, five fraudulent Class 1 driver‑training schools shut down, and 40 chameleon carriers prevented from operating. Alberta is working with the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators and other provinces on a national database and a Red Seal certification to strengthen inter‑jurisdictional enforcement.