Ontario's top trucking executive says Canada's Transport Minister is "dreaming" if he thinks he can take trucks off Highway 401.

"It's never going to happen," Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley told the Toronto Star. For one thing, much of the freight, such as consumer goods and auto parts now being carried by tractor-trailers, is time-sensitive, said Bradley.

"Trains are long-haulers, Bradley said. "They carry bulk commodities such as potash and coal where time isn't as important a factor."

Bradley told the Star trucks haul about 90 percent of all consumer goods and 80 percent of Ontario's trade is with the United States.

"The reason trucks do is not because of price ... it's because of service," Bradley said. "Trucks and trains are basically in different businesses and these businesses are never going to shift."

Transport Minister David Collenette Monday said the federal government intends to take many trucks off North America's busiest freeway to reduce congestion and ease environmental concerns. The plan calls for moving truck traffic cargo to rail and water to free up Highway 401 for carpooling and cutting down on emissions in urban areas.