Focus on more hands-on instruction and enhanced oversight of training schools mirrors recommendations put forth by IBC
Canada’s economy relies on the safe, efficient delivery of goods across the country, and there is no more important leader in that daily endeavour than the trucking sector.
However, the trucking sector has faced several challenges in the last 10 years, including driver shortages, rising operating costs, fraud and a dramatic increase in the size of liability insurance claims. Another long-standing issue is training for drivers entering the industry. An MNP report released in April 2024 found that new commercial truck drivers who haven’t received adequate formal training are at higher risk of a collision, which is a safety hazard for everyone on the road.
Since 2020, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) has been working with leaders in the commercial trucking sector, as well as governments across the country, to develop recommendations to help foster enhanced safety, growth and opportunity.
These efforts are starting to pay off, with Alberta leading the way with the recently announced Class 1 Learning Pathway for commercial truck drivers. The program came into force on April 1, 2025. Designed to improve driver training and road safety, the pathway replaces the previous Mandatory Entry Level Training program and mirrors many of the recommendations put forward by IBC’s Commercial Trucking Working Group, including:
Adopting a mandatory, apprenticeship-style program with a significant increase in behind-the-wheel and classroom training for new commercial truck operators
Tailoring educational content to the unique terrain, weather, and cargo and equipment hauled by the commercial trucking industry in Alberta
Enhancing oversight and consistency in how commercial truck driver licensing schools, instructors and examiners meet training requirements
Instituting a new progressive discipline policy that applies to schools or carriers that do not provide training to an acceptable standard
Investing $54.1 million over three years to support a grant program for training and transferability (the ability to move or transfer ownership or operating authority (like a license) related to a commercial vehicle or trucking business), and to attract new commercial drivers to Alberta and retain them
Offering a total of $30 million over three years for the Employment Pathway Grant to provide funding for eligible employers in the commercial driving industry to help cover the costs of training and onboarding new commercial drivers.
The government also announced an agreement for reciprocal training and testing for Class 1 (including air brake) and Class 6 (motorcycle) driver’s licences with the Northwest Territories. The agreement allows residents who take the new driver training and testing to be licensed in both jurisdictions.
This initiative by the Alberta government is an important step toward improving driver training – making access to training more affordable and improving the quality of education provided – all of which will lead to enhancing the safety of Alberta’s roadways.
Each province in Canada has its own rules and regulations for the commercial trucking sector. IBC continues to work with governments across Canada to improve the training and oversight of the commercial trucking sector, to help lower the risk for potential losses and claims, enhance safety on public roads and encourage new drivers to enter the profession.
Alberta is keen to share its program changes with other jurisdictions in an effort to establish Red Seal certification, which signifies that a tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge and skills required for the national standard in their trade. Red Seal certification requires agreement between five provinces/territories, and Alberta is currently in talks with the Northwest Territories, Saskatchewan, Ontario and British Columbia to create such a program for truck drivers.
A coalition of trucking industry associations is urging the Ontario government to take action and help address problems ranging from road safety and driver training standards to compliance enforcement – problems they describe as causing a critical decline in industry professionalism and public safety.
The Ontario government launched a trucking consultation in January, but the provincial election in March delayed progress.
