Alberta trucking firm linked to deadly Manitoba crash had spotty safety record
Conquer Transportation Inc. was flagged as high-risk months before a driver allegedly blew a stop sign, killing a woman in Brandon.
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An Alberta trucking company at the centre of a deadly Brandon, Manitoba, crash had been assessed as among the highest-risk carriers in the province, records show.
Conquer Transportation Inc. was flagged with a poor safety rating in Alberta as of April—only weeks before one of its drivers allegedly blew a stop sign and hit an SUV, killing a 49-year-old woman.
The incident highlights what industry leaders call enforcement gaps involving "chameleon" carriers—companies that lose permits in one jurisdiction and reopen under a different name in another. Conquer Transport lost its Manitoba safety certification in 2021 for "ongoing deficiencies in safe operation and non-compliance." It had racked up 30 convictions across five provinces by that time.
Parametjit Dhaliwal, listed as the director of operations in Manitoba, told CBC News he stepped back in 2021, citing frustration with inspections. His son and daughter-in-law have run Conquer's Alberta operations since 2022.
Manitoba Transportation Minister Lisa Naylor is calling on the federal government to create a national database to flag safety issues and certifications rescinded from carriers. Alberta Transportation declined to say whether it's considering pulling Conquer's permits but said it would "take decisive action without hesitation" if the Alberta-based carrier's involvement is confirmed.
The case underscores how enforcement fragmentation across provinces can leave dangerous operators in business longer than they should be.