By Francis Lalonde
Vice President, Transportation, Walmart Canada
Even during the height of the global pandemic, with uncertainty and uneasiness gripping the country, as essential workers, our drivers have been on the road clocking record kilometres to ensure all of us have the products we need for our families.
That’s why this National Driver Appreciation Week is extra important. It’s a chance to say thank you and to celebrate our 500 Walmart drivers and our fleet and transportation associates who work hard behind the scenes driving our business.
And, to begin this week, like every week, we will lead with our high 5s, the reasons we continue to work safely so we can get home safely to our families. This is at the heart of the way we work and is engrained in our everyday culture and beliefs.
This year, more than ever, our drivers have demonstrated the Walmart spirit. They continue to rise to the challenges created by this pandemic. They continue to go above and beyond to support and connect our communities. Our drivers have been on the road together clocking record kilometres, over 100,000 kilometres every day, and moving record loads to ensure our stores are stocked with the items our customers need right now.
They include drivers like Gurman, who pulled over to check on another driver on his way home after his shift when he saw one of our trucks pulled over with flashers on. And Hakamal, a mentor and trainer for our growing fleet and Marc, a 16-year veteran with Walmart and our August 2020 Driver of the Month.
This week, associates in our stores from coast-to-coast will be celebrating our drivers too and they sure know how-- from thoughtful thank you cards to banners and everything in between. This gives me great joy because it shows we are all in this together to serve our customers.
Thank you to all Walmart Canada associates for celebrating all drivers and recognizing the hard work they do on the front line everyday keeping our stores, suppliers, distribution centres and communities connected.
On behalf of Walmart Canada, our customers and our suppliers, thank you. Thank you for every safe mile driven and every carton delivered. Thank you for supporting our communities, our stores and each other.
