The Canadian Trucking Owner-Operators Association (CTOA) says it is not fundamentally opposed to the reintroduction of T4A slips for independent contractors but wants the feds to consider the financial implications for small businesses.
The federal government announced measures in its budget to crack down on the misclassification of drivers, including lifting a longstanding moratorium on T4A slips and allowing Canada Revenue Agency to share information with Employment and Social Development Canada. This would create a paper trail that would make it easier for government to ensure drivers and their employers are fulfilling their tax obligations.
CTOA represents trucking companies largely from the South Asian community, many of whom employ independent contractors as drivers.
“Our mission has always been to collaborate on policies that strengthen professionalism within the trucking industry,” Tej Dulat, CTOA spokesman, said in a release. “We support transparency and compliance. However, policy must be fair, non-discriminatory, and sensitive to the realities on the ground and challenges faced by the small businesses.”
CTOA says the government needs to review the impact of reintroducing T4As on small businesses.
“The mandatory T4A reporting introduces a new administrative burden that can disproportionately affect these smaller entities compared to large corporations with dedicated compliance teams,” CTOA said in its release.
The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), which fought to have the moratorium on T4As lifted, isn’t buying it.
“A lot has changed since the moratorium was introduced in 2011, and the idea that issuing T4As creates a mountain of red tape for small businesses is simply not true in 2025,” CTA president and CEO Stephen Laskowski said when the budget was released earlier this month. “The trucking industry is one of the largest in Canada, and it’s made up primarily of small businesses. Both large and small carriers alike have strongly supported this measure. Reintroducing T4As will help many small fleets stay in business, not harm them.”
CTOA also objects to the fact the T4A is initially being brought back only for the trucking sector.
“Fairness means equal rules for everyone,” Dulat said. “Trucking should not be singled out while sectors like construction, the gig economy, courier services, and delivery platforms operate under different or less stringent reporting frameworks. Uneven application creates a disadvantage and fuels consolidation within our industry.”
The organization recently took its message to Brampton City Council, where it introduced a motion that was passed recognizing the importance of the trucking industry. The motion condemned “harmful narratives” and hateful language directed at truckers from diverse backgrounds.
“Brampton’s motion is a major step forward,” Dulat said. “It finally recognizes the essential role of small carriers and independent drivers in keeping Canada’s supply chain moving. For years, national policy discussions were dominated by large lobby groups. This motion makes it clear that grassroots voices must be heard, not ignored.”
CTOA says it has already met with provincial and federal elected officials to express its concerns about the reintroduction of the T4A. It is asking for: a phased rollout preceded by education; dedicated support tools for small carriers; equal rules across all industries; and direct consultation with CTOA and diverse driver groups.
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