On a daily basis, you probably interact with businesses, goods, and services that can only be available thanks to Canada’s trucking network. In 2017, 90% of all freight shipments in Canada were hauled by truck. Trucks are used to deliver essential, everyday goods that the population depends on, including fuel, equipment, food, medical supplies, waste management, and more. It’s undeniable that without this industry, the comforts and necessities we rely on would quickly disappear. 

Not convinced of the importance of trucking to Canada? Let us show you – here’s a complete breakdown of exactly why the trucking industry is a crucial pillar of the Canadian economy. 

1. The Canadian Trucking Industry is Huge

The trucking industry makes up a huge part of Canada’s economy. In 2018, the sector generated almost 39.55 billion Canadian dollars from almost 63.7 million shipments. And, this number has been steadily increasing year after year. 

In addition to its role domestically, there’s also the vital role trucking plays with our closest neighbour. The American-Canadian trade relationship is the second largest globally, and 60% of the trade is done through trucking. Transport Canada says about 30,000 trucks cross the Canada-U.S. border every day, carrying an estimated $1 billion in goods.

2. The Trucking Industry is a Massive Employer

Simply put, the trucking industry employs a lot of Canadians. It’s estimated that the industry creates jobs for more than 302,000 truck drivers, which accounts for 2% of Canada’s entire workforce.

And, it’s expected that the industry will continue to grow, with demand for workers rapidly increasing. According to estimations from Trucking HR Canada, Canada will need to hire about 17,230 new truck drivers per year up until 2025. Employers have already started to diversify their employee force by enticing more women and young people into the industry. 

3. An Essential Service to Support All Canadian Industries

Many may not realize how reliant we all are on the trucking industry. Trucking supports almost every sector – manufacturing, forestry, agriculture, healthcare, and more. 

The importance of trucking was especially highlighted with the COVID-19 pandemic. The transportation sector, including trucking, was declared an essential service during the pandemic. Initially, it surprised some people that truck drivers were being grouped with the healthcare workers and first responders who keep society running. But, one look at the empty shelves at stores told you everything you needed to know. 

During the pandemic, the trucking industry helped deliver medical supplies and equipment that were vital in the fight against the virus. It may have taken a pandemic to highlight the day-to-day impact truck transportation has on society, but it’s clear that we’re all heavily reliant on this crucial service. 

4. Bridging the Transportation Gap

Some international goods arrive in Canada through other modes of transportation, such as airplanes, boats, and trains. However, even these modes of transportation often rely on trucks to take over at one point and deliver the large parcels to their final destination. 

In the 1950s, containers were introduced into the Canadian market. This process allowed single stand-alone cargo containers to quickly load, transport, and unload goods. Containerization made it easy for shipments to be transferred from boat to truck, or train to truck, and vice-versa, without excessive manual labor. Trucking bridges the gap between other modes of transportation sending goods to the largest ports in Canada. And without truck deliveries, the distribution of goods would be slower. less efficient, and more expensive. 

5. An Innovative Industry

Some may hear “trucking industry” and think of an old sector. In reality, trucking companies are embracing innovation with new technologies. The industry is preparing for connected vehicles (CV) and automated vehicles (AV) to enter the market within the next few years. CV and AV use technology to help the vehicle sense others on the road, allow for data-sharing between vehicles, and even allow for automated driving. Shipping refrigerated goods in BC and other provinces is no easy task, and trucking companies are up to the challenge

The trucking industry is also interested in becoming more environmentally friendly by relying less on petroleum. Various alternative fuels are being tested and considered, including biodiesel, electricity, ethanol, hydrogen cell, compressed and liquified natural gas, and propane. An industry prepared to invest in new technologies and innovation is beneficial for the Canadian economy as a whole. 

A Pillar of the Canadian Economy

Canada’s economy benefits from its thriving trucking industry and all signs point to a sector that’s only going to continue to grow. Here’s everything you need to know about trucking companies in BC, should you be interested in hiring a transportation and logistics partner.