Bus companies that operate in more than one province are currently regulated by Transport Canada. Last spring, the federal government introduced Bill C-77. This bill included amendments to the Motor Vehicle Transport Act that would have led to the deregulation of both the interprovincial and local services of such companies. Transport Canada has now notified the B.C. government that the proposed bus deregulation provisions have been withdrawn from Bill C-77. The B.C. government and numerous organizations including the Union of B.C. Municipalities opposed the federal plan, along with many bus companies.
Bus service helps keep families together, and it helps keep small communities viable.
As a result, the industry will continue to serve a very large number of communities, which reflects the intent of current federal and provincial regulations. Lali noted that a federal parliamentary committee will review bus deregulation early next year. He said he intends to travel to Ottawa to make a presentation on the need for continued federal regulation of the bus industry.