Trucking HR Canada event highlights top industry concerns

Trucking HR Canada was in Calgary recently for its Western Women With Drive event, where survey results highlighting the top concerns of CEOs and C-suite-level professionals revealed that operating costs continue to weigh heavily on the minds of those in the trucking and logistics sector.

“That’s not news to us — we’ve been hearing this for a couple of years now,” said Craig Faucette, chief program officer at Trucking HR Canada. “That had replaced the driver shortage as the top concern in the industry around 2023 and 2024, and it’s continuing today. It makes sense… the cost to run your business and the operating costs you have are going up, and that’s having an impact on your bottom line.”

Of those surveyed, 68 per cent said rising operating costs were “very concerning,” while another 23 per cent listed them as a top concern.

Driver training was also high on the list, with 44 per cent “very concerned” and 35 per cent keeping an eye on the issue.

“Trying to find ways to solve that driver pathway — to be able to bring in entry-level drivers in a very meaningful way — is a concern we’re seeing even at the CEO level,” said Faucette. “A lot of eyes are on that driver training issue, and it’s been a tough nut to crack.”

Related to proper training, CEOs are also concerned with Driver Inc., the practice of misclassifying drivers as independent contractors rather than employees to avoid paying taxes and providing benefits.

“I know from the provincial associations — from the BCTA all the way through to MTA here today — this is a top concern for them,” said Faucette. “It’s something they have been lobbying on and making strides and gains with their provincial governments, and we’re seeing the same thing at the national level with the Canadian Trucking Alliance, as well.”

Sixty-three per cent of respondents voiced concern over the Driver Inc. model, while 52 per cent said the shortage of qualified truck drivers was also a concern.

Rounding out the top concerns of CEOs in the industry was the possibility of a recession or broad economic downturn in Canada. The new Trump administration in the U.S. also raised red flags, with 58 per cent of Canadian CEOs saying they were either concerned or very concerned moving forward.

Other concerns in the trucking and logistics sector include changing skill requirements for non-driving roles, reductions in the number of foreign temporary workers, and the use of autonomous and electric trucks and green technologies.