Action still needed across Canada to improve training of new drivers
Canada’s property and casualty (P&C) industry applauds a new federal government initiative to tackle fraud in the trucking industry.
In Budget 2025, the Government of Canada announced new funding to address concerns regarding the illegal misclassification of commercial truck drivers, a fraudulent scheme where some companies erroneously and deliberately misclassify their truck drivers as independent contractors, instead of on-staff employees.
The announcement came just days after Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)’s October 28, 2025, testimony before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities regarding issues impacting the commercial trucking sector.
IBC made it clear to the members of Parliament that companies and drivers that are committing fraud under this scheme are hurting legitimate trucking businesses that follow the rules. The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) currently has a campaign aimed at raising awareness about this fraudulent activity.
Like the CTA, IBC believes drivers who are improperly paid, undertrained and lacking appropriate qualifications pose a danger, not only to themselves but to everyone else on the road. They also contribute to cost pressures in the insurance system that impact everyone, as insurers continue to see a significant increase in the size and severity of insurance claims resulting from collisions.
The commercial trucking sector is vital to Canada’s economy, moving goods across a vast supply chain network. The majority of truck drivers are hardworking professionals and deeply aware of the importance of safety – their own and others. Irresponsible labour practices are deliberate business choices being made by some companies and drivers. The actions of the few should not harm the trucking companies that operate fairly and follow the rules. Governments must prioritize road safety and fair competition, and IBC believes cracking down on fraudulent trucking operations will make Canada’s roads safer.
In recent years, trucking operators have seen significant challenges with securing affordable commercial insurance premiums. To understand the major contributors to rising costs, IBC began working with stakeholders in the trucking industry to develop cross-jurisdictional solutions that would help deter fraud, improve driver training and protect all road users.
IBC found that fraud and lax enforcement by government agencies are not the only issues that contribute to the cost of insurance, but that a shortage of qualified, skilled drivers and inconsistent training standards are also contributors.
In 2024, IBC commissioned MNP, one of Canada’s leading professional services firms, to conduct a review of driver training programs in various Canadian and international jurisdictions. MNP concluded that current mandatory entry-level training programs for commercial truck drivers in many provinces and territories do not fully prepare drivers to operate a heavy truck in all conditions and that additional onboarding and mentorship for drivers are needed.
The trucking sector is facing a critical labour shortage. The demand for new drivers will only increase as experienced drivers retire in the coming years. In 2023, 48% of commercial truck drivers in Canada were over the age of 50. Looking ahead, the latest labour market information from the federal government suggests that the occupation is expected to face a moderate risk of a national labour shortage by 2033.
As new drivers enter the profession, a higher standard of training is necessary to ensure that goods are moved efficiently and safely on our roads. The level of training a driver has completed, the number of hours behind the wheel and their claims history are some of the key metrics insurers review when pricing a commercial truck insurance policy.
Since the release of the MNP report last year, Alberta announced it was taking action to enhance entry-level truck driver training through a new Class 1 Learning Pathway for commercial truck drivers that took effect on April 1, 2025. The new program is designed to improve driver training and road safety, and it includes an apprentice-style approach to supporting new drivers in their continuous career development. The pathway replaces the previous mandatory entry-level training program and includes many of the recommendations IBC’s Commercial Trucking Working Group put forward.
While other jurisdictions across Canada have started to introduce mandatory entry-level training programs over the last few years, the scope and hours of instruction vary by province and territory. Additionally, current training programs are insufficient and only represent minimum standards. These programs do not adequately prepare new drivers for the complexities of driving across Canada’s unique terrain. Nonetheless, IBC is encouraged to see that so far nine provinces and one territory have at least implemented some form of mandatory requirements, with Québec being the latest to announce its own program in November. Starting on December 15, 2025, two training pathways will be available for Québec drivers who want to get their Class 1 license:
The new Class 1 Road Safety Education Program given by service providers recognized by the Societe de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ); or
The Trucking vocational training program leading to a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DVS) issued by the Ministère de l'Éducation.
Under the Class 1 Road Safety Education Program, drivers will obtain a total of 125 hours of instruction, including 75 hours of theory and 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience. The new mandatory entry-level program aims to provide new truck drivers with the knowledge, abilities and soft skills required to be safe and responsible on the road.
The commercial trucking industry is critical to the long-term sustainability of Canada’s economy. The federal government’s move to tackle fraud is important, but more needs to be done across Canada to support a safe and prosperous commercial trucking industry. With the current demand for commercial truck drivers, there is an opportunity to ensure that Canadian truck drivers are among the most skilled in the world.
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