In their last meeting before the election, Regina city councillors will decide whether or not to ban trucking traffic from a stretch 9 Ave North.

"If truckers sit at home, how people can eat? So we have to have our wheels moving."

As the coronavirus mushrooms across the U.S., the truckers' absence has thrown up an additional barrier to fleets scrambling to meet demand for essential goods.

"We will hold them accountable. We will increase enforcement, strengthen consumer protection and improve industry standards," Ford said.

The Public Health Agency of Canada does not collect information on long-haul truckers. The department deferred questions on COVID-19 cases in the industry to provinces and territories.

Like in much of the economy, overall demand in the trucking industry is down. 

Groupe Robin is offering road-weary truck drivers a little respite during the coronavirus pandemic as the essential-service providers keep supplies moving.

Rail cars in Moncton are at a standstill with the rail interruption in Eastern Canada in its second week.

"Some of the changes have been good. They're, in our eyes, a baby step; we still think there's a lot more to do," said a parent of one Humboldt Broncos bus crash victim.

The detour means that costs related to transportation may rise.