Saskatchewan government to mandate training for semi-truck drivers after Humboldt Broncos crash

Starting early 2019, the Saskatchewan government will mandate a minimum 70 hours of Class 1 driver training.

The news comes after 16 people were killed and 13 injured in a crash between a semi-truck and the Humboldt Broncos team bus on April 6.

FULL COVERAGE: Humboldt Broncos bus crash

A Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) memo from April 25, obtained by Global News, references the disaster at the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335.

“As you know, a lot has been in the media following the Humboldt tragedy and there is a spotlight on Class 1 testing and Class 1 driver training and that’s OK,” the memo reads.

“We are all united in wanting to make our roads as safe as possible.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: <span class="a"> "We are all united in wanting to make </span><span class="a">our roads as safe as possible."</span>

Currently, all provinces require commercial drivers to pass written, medical and road tests, with training encouraged but not mandatory. Only Ontario requires drivers to complete a 103.5-hour course in the classroom and at the wheel with a licensed school.

2:43 Truck training required only in Ontario

The memo states the curriculum will include at least 70 hours of in-class, in-yard and behind-the-wheel training. It notes there is a possibility this will be increased to 103.5 hours to match Ontario’s legislation.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Mandatory training will set a standard, so all drivers are trained with the right competencies. The training will produce qualified and skilled drivers and it will eliminate inconsistencies between how people are getting their training and the content of that training,” it continues. 

It also states that SGI has been working since 2017 to come up with a standardized curriculum and a required number of hours of training.

READ: The SGI memo mandating semi driver training.

Once the new legislation is in place, a driver will no longer be able to take the road test to become a Class 1 driver, unless they have completed the training at a recognized school.

Carriers are also eligible to conduct their own training so long as it matches the provincial standards.

0:33 ‘Pain is temporary’: Paralyzed Humboldt player maintaining perspective

• ‘Pain is temporary’: Paralyzed Humboldt player maintaining perspective
• Humboldt Broncos player explains positivity despite being paralyzed
• Humboldt Broncos player hopeful to make a return to hockey after being paralyzed
• Humboldt player says crash has brought team closer together
• ‘Trying to get better for those guys who didn’t make it’: Humboldt crash survivor
• Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki recalls deadly crash
• Injured Humboldt player calls outpouring of support indescribable
• Injured Humboldt player Ryan Straschnitzki happy to be home in Alberta
• Humboldt player doing well, ‘ready to do rehab tonight’

Previous Video

Next Video

The crash occurred at an intersection with a stop sign as the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey team was on their way to a playoff game in Nipawin, Sask.

Five players remained in hospital in Saskatoon on Wednesday, while eight others have been released or transferred to other care centres.

The crash is still under investigation by the RCMP, who have only said the truck was in the intersection when the accident happened.

*with files from Global News