U.S. Signals to Canadian Govt & Trucking Industry: Lawless Trucking in Canada Needs to be Addressed

As the Federal Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN) continues to examine Driver Inc, trucking regulatory and oversight bodies, including the U.S. Government, continue to notice the growing trend of Canadian fleet owners engaging in behaviour that jeopardizes highway safety and potential connections to illegal cross-border smuggling.

Interviewed by La Presse, U.S. diplomats who have been following the TRAN hearings, stated their concerns over truck safety, forced labour, unfair competition, and potential criminal activity conducted by cross-border carriers:

"Solving the tax issue does not resolve the problems related to driver training…We are concerned that when they perform cross-border work these drivers endanger the safety of American citizens on the roads…This also does not solve the problem of the vulnerability of these workers, nor that of the over-indebtedness in which they are trapped, and does not entirely remedy the fact that the process offered by these trucking companies are unfair…If they (drivers) are being forced to work, our concern is what else are they being forced to participate in?"

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) has for years sounded the alarm on these issues and wants to explore with Canadian and U.S. officials how current cross-border security programs can be redeveloped or potentially look at creating new programs that would ensure cross border fleets are safe, secure and labour compliant, and have no ties to criminal organizers/activity.

"After 9/11, cross-border trucking changed with the development of security programs focused on potential terrorist activity and support of these activities involving the trucking and trade industries," said Stephen Laskowski, president and CEO, CTA. "We believe it's time that industry and both governments work to explore programs that would screen all cross-border carriers and drivers to ensure they are safe and compliant and do not endanger Canadian and U.S. citizens on our roadways."

"Truck safety enforcement and training, which is a complicated jurisdictional issue in Canada, can be led by the federal government but also shared authorities/enforcement lies with the provinces, which is an issue that is being dealt with," says Laskowski.

Transport Canada and the Deputy Ministers of Transportation began a process to look at how to improve truck safety. CTA is expecting related announcements dealing with a potential national approach in the first quarter of 2026.

"We hope this response will assist in resolving the lawlessness and truck safety crisis in Canada."