Alberta shuts down Conquer Transportation Inc. following safety violations

The Alberta government has shut down Conquer Transportation Inc. following investigations that uncovered numerous safety violations, including issues with vehicle maintenance, inspections, driver hours, and safety programs. The company had previously been stripped of its safety certificate in Manitoba in 2021 for non-compliance with highway safety laws, but continued to operate by obtaining an Alberta safety certificate and changing its name.

A truck registered to the company was allegedly involved in a fatal collision near Brandon, Manitoba, on May 27, which resulted in the death of 49-year-old Xiaoyun Zhang.

The incident has prompted calls for the federal government to establish a national trucking safety system to prevent companies from using provincial borders to bypass safety regulations. Manitoba Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor has advocated for a public registry to track trucking companies' safety records and fitness ratings, while the Manitoba Trucking Association has emphasized the need for common national safety standards for interprovincial carriers.