Canada’s trucking and logistics sector reached a record-high workforce of over 790,000 employees in 2024, but labor challenges persist, according to Trucking HR Canada (THRC) chief economist Barbara Kirby.
Speaking during a workforce update webinar, Kirby highlighted that while the industry saw a surge in vacancies in late 2021 and early 2022 — peaking at more than 28,000 unfilled truck driver positions — the overheated hiring market has since cooled. By Q3 2024, driver vacancies had dropped to just over 13,000, below the 10-year average of 17,160.
“According to the most recent Statistics Canada data, the trucking industry’s vacancy rate is the third highest in the economy, at 4.3%,” Kirby said. “That rate is only exceeded by health and social services at 4.8% and accommodation and food services at 4.6%. By comparison, the job vacancy rate across the Canadian economy sits at 3.2%.”
THRC forecasted in its 2024-2030 labor market outlook report that without targeted recruitment and retention initiatives, the industry could see up to 40,400 vacant positions by 2030.
“Even if all available job seekers were readily employable, the trucking and logistics industry would still need to recruit, train and retain an additional 10,000 brand new workers each year to meet their hiring requirements,” Kirby said. “But the good news is that implementing targeted HR programs can help to address these shortages.”
She said that boosting attraction and retention by just 15% could help close the supply-demand gap as early as 2027, making it easier for fleets to find skilled workers.
Kirby also underscored trucking’s critical role in Canada’s economy. “Trucks carry about 70% of the value of Canadian-U.S. cross-border trade. In 2023, Canadian goods bound for the U.S. were valued at about $480 billion,” she said, adding that trucking also moved nearly 80% of all domestic goods.
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