Inept DEF regulations continue to force RM of Portage to seek used tractors and lobby government

The RM of Portage la Prairie purchased yet another used highway tractor and end dump trailer. It's due to Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) regulations that have been put on municipalities by the powers that be. 

Reeve Kam Blight explains the reasoning behind the choice of older trucks.

"The RM of Portage was looking at purchasing new highway tractors," says Blight. "As the costs are so exorbitant, and the concerns and challenges we've had recently within the past number of years with DEF on these highway tractor units, we've been looking elsewhere for used equipment -- older equipment -- that does not run that newer technology of DEF. Administration identified that there is potentially some used units that we could be considering. So, we put out a tender and we received three applications."

He notes they selected the units from Big Wheel Enterprises, making it a nice addition to their fleet. 

Blight says there is some work being done to remove the DEF requirements.

"It's status quo as we're seeing it right now with the government," continues Blight. "No one seems to wants to touch it. I don't know why, but I do know that this Council brought forward a resolution that AMM lobby the provincial government and federal governments to reconsider the usage of DEF and the requirements surrounding DEF in regards to safeties. Our Council certainly feels that a deeper dive needs to be done into the validity and the importance of DEF and if it is actually doing what it was originally intended to."

Blight adds the RM has strong feelings and data to support the fact that DEF is not doing what it was planned to accomplish. 

"It's something that we're going to continue to lobby for change on, for sure," adds Blight.