Trucking alliance renews call for crackdown on ‘Driver Inc.’ scheme

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is renewing its call for stronger federal enforcement against illegal practices in the trucking industry, saying recent government commitments must be backed by action.

Six months after launching its Stop Illegal Trucking campaign, the alliance says Ottawa’s acknowledgement of the so-called “Driver Inc.” model in Budget 2025 is a step forward but warns enforcement will be key to addressing the issue.

The federal budget included a $77-million commitment to tackle tax non-compliance and lifted a moratorium on mandatory T4As, measures aimed at ensuring operators tied to the scheme properly report income.

“We acknowledge and applaud the Government of Canada for taking a major first step by admitting the ‘Driver Inc.’ model is a threat to our economy and our safety and have committed to taking real action,” said Stephen Laskowski, president and CEO of the CTA. “But the scale of this lawlessness is massive, and concerned citizens need to ensure Ottawa matches the level of enforcement required to remove the lawbreakers off our highways while also lending support and resources to provinces to do the same.

“There is a contingent of the trucking industry that opposes much-needed oversight and wants to maintain the status quo. That position is clearly at odds with a growing number of concerned Canadians who demand Ottawa act in restoring law and order to our industry. We must ensure their voices are heard by all MPs and the government expands on its commitments made in Budget 2025.”

The alliance is urging Canadians to contact their members of Parliament to push for increased enforcement against carriers engaged in tax evasion, labour misclassification and other alleged abuses, including immigration fraud and links to organized crime.

It is also calling for greater federal support to provinces to improve truck safety enforcement, as well as increased national oversight and data sharing.

The group says the “Driver Inc.” model contributes to billions in lost tax revenue annually, the growth of unregulated fleets and the exploitation of vulnerable workers, while also posing risks to public safety and supply chains.

The campaign includes resources for drivers who may feel pressured into misclassification and encourages public support through its Stop Illegal Trucking initiative.