5.2 million collision free km in 33 years of professional truck driving
New Brunswick Driver Named 2004 CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year

October 28 , 2004

Georges L. Leblanc, a professional transport driver with Armour Transportation Systems in Moncton, New Brunswick, has been named the 2004 CTA/Volvo Trucks Canada National Driver of the Year. The award will be presented at the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association convention on October 29. 2004.

The award has been presented annually for the past 29 years to a Canadian transport driver who demonstrates a high-level of professionalism both on and off the road, courtesy, and sometimes bravery, at roadside.

Mr. Leblanc started his truck driving career 33 years ago with Armour Transportation, and has driven more than 5.2 million collision free kilometers on some of Canada’s most difficult highways. He is actively involved in company safety meetings, and assists in training and evaluating new drivers. In honour of his achievements, Mr. Leblanc will receive a trip for two to any destination of his choice within Canada, a $1,000 cash prize and a personal trophy courtesy of Volvo Trucks Canada Inc.

“Georges Leblanc’s outstanding driving record, and his dedication to excellence exemplify the commitment to road safety made by Canada’s professional truck drivers,” said David Bradley, CEO of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. “But it’s in the way he goes about his day-to-day work, both on and off the road that makes him stand out.”

“Georges is exactly what we want in our industry for the perfect highway professional operator. He is extremely good at his job, smart, has a positive attitude, very caring for others, excellent with customers, an outstanding safe driver, understands all safety and highway regulations and complies with them without being managed. Most of all, he is just an outstanding individual,” said Wesley Armour, President of Armour Transportation Systems.

Mr. Leblanc’s route takes him from Moncton to all points in the Atlantic Provinces. For more than 10 years he operated to and from Newfoundland, where the mountainous roads, wind, snow and moose are sometimes hazardous. As a result, he has been able to assist several motorists throughout the years.

A number of years ago, while he was driving east of St. John, Mr. Leblanc was able to assist a truck driver who had been involved in a fatal collision with a car that crashed into his vehicle. On another occasion in Nova Scotia, a car driving in front of him lost control after its driver suffered a fatal heart attack. Mr. Leblanc was able to provide assistance to the car’s passenger, who was the elderly wife of the driver, until the authorities arrived.

Mr. Leblanc is very active in his community. He volunteers at various events, including the Acadian Games, which helped raise money for a van for the physically and mentally challenged people that work for this group. He takes part in bottle drives to raise money to help people in need of medical assistance, and was a volunteer driver for the community handicap bus for several years. Mr. Leblanc also helped in the construction of the local golf course, delivering sand and working on the preparation of the greens. Georges Leblanc and his wife Jocelyne live in Memramcook, New Brunswick.

Mr. Leblanc was selected from provincial drivers of the year across the country. The 2004 selection committee included representatives from: Transport Canada, Canada Safety Council, Traffic Injury Research Foundation of Canada and CTA.

Media Contacts:

Rebecka Torn
rebecka.torn@ontruck.org
416-249-7401, Ext. 224

Stephen Anderson
stephen.anderson@ontruck.org
416-249-7401, Ext. 245