The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) appeared before a parliamentary committee to express support for Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, while urging the federal government to prioritize stronger Driver Inc. enforcement, investment in trucking infrastructure and measures to improve supply chain reliability.
Appearing before committee on behalf of CTA, Jonathan Blackham, Director or Policy and Public Affairs welcomed the legislation’s objectives of accelerating infrastructure development, strengthening trade corridors, modernizing trade processes and addressing labour non-compliance in the trucking industry.
Blackham’s testimony focused on the government’s commitment to strengthening enforcement against Driver Inc., an issue the Alliance has been raising for more than eight years.
CTA emphasized that employee misclassification, wage theft and other forms of non-compliance continue to undermine legitimate trucking companies, deny workers important protections and create unfair competitive advantages.
“Driver Inc. is not simply a labour issue. It is a safety issue, a tax compliance issue and a fundamental issue of fair competition,” said Blackham.
The Alliance welcomed additional enforcement resources and digital tools to address wage theft and employee misclassification, while acknowledging Employment and Social Development Minister Patty Hajdu’s leadership on the issue.
However, CTA stressed that more action is needed, including enhanced employer vetting or a known-employer program under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program and sustained, proactive enforcement by Employment and Social Development Canada.
CTA also identified the absence of measures addressing challenges associated with paid medical leave as a missed opportunity, noting that compliant carriers continue to face rising costs while businesses operating in the underground economy avoid these obligations.
Blackham expressed support for provisions aimed at accelerating approvals and improving coordination for nationally significant infrastructure projects.
The Alliance stressed the importance of continued investment in highways, border crossings, ports and intermodal connections, while calling for meaningful trucking industry representation on the proposed National Trade Corridors Council.
CTA also welcomed measures to enable electronic trade documents and reduce outdated paper-based requirements that create unnecessary delays for carriers and drivers at borders and throughout supply chains.
CTA also highlighted the importance of maintaining a stable and predictable national transportation system, supporting measures to improve coordination and prevent or resolve disruptions, including labour disruptions where warranted.
Blackham concluded by reiterated CTA’s support for Bill C-39 while emphasizing that its success must ultimately be measured by tangible improvements for the industry.
“The trucking industry is optimistic about the direction and intent of Bill C-39. But its success must ultimately be measured by practical results: reduced border delays, more efficient highway corridors, fewer supply chain disruptions, stronger enforcement against non-compliance and fairer competition across our industry,” said Blackham
CTA will continue advocating for policies that support a safer, more efficient and competitive trucking industry and strengthen Canada’s national supply chains.
