Drivers/Owner Operators
Subject: Support Independent Drivers, Protect Canada’s Supply Chains
Dear Members of Parliament and Transport Committee,
Canada depends on truck drivers, many of whom are independent operators and small business owners, to keep goods moving safely and efficiently across the country. We drivers/operators are law-abiding, tax-compliant, and professional, yet recent discussions around “Driver Inc.” have painted us unfairly as cheats or exploiters.
We follow the natural progression toward entrepreneurship and independence, similar to what is accepted in many other professions across Canada.
While a few carriers may misuse incorporation, the vast majority of drivers use it as a legitimate way to manage schedules, work safely, and support their families. Driver Inc. offers freedom of choice, allowing drivers to:
Choose their own schedules and loads, supporting safety and family life.
Save money, invest in their businesses, and contribute to Canada’s trucking industry.
Exercise entrepreneurship, creating small businesses that strengthen competition and innovation.
Enjoy freedom of choice in who I work with, ensuring flexibility, independence, and income stability.
From a driver’s perspective, we are on the roads and highways every day, facing the realities of traffic, road safety, and long hours. We believe that drivers themselves, not only lobby groups, should have a stronger voice in shaping regulations that affect road safety, working conditions,
and the sustainability of trucking businesses.
Driving is a tough profession. Many people join but leave the industry because it demands long hours, extended periods away from family, and is often less rewarding than the effort it requires. The physical and mental toll is significant, and the average driving professional stays in
long-haul trucking for only 7 to 8 years before moving to shorter runs or leaving the profession entirely. This is one of the reasons Canada continues to face a shortage of drivers.
Canada’s trucking industry relies heavily on immigrant drivers and operators, who bring dedication, skill, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Protecting the ability for drivers to choose incorporated operations is not only fair, it also supports a diverse, competitive, and efficient
industry.
We urge the federal government to:
Listen directly to drivers, especially independent small owner-operators and people from diverse communities.
Target enforcement on real violations, not compliant small operators.
Separate labor, safety, immigration & work permit, and tax issues to reflect the realities of independent drivers.
Support fair competition and entrepreneurship in trucking for the benefit of all Canadians.
Independent drivers are part of the solution, not the problem. Punishing them threatens supply chains, increases costs for Canadians, and discourages entrepreneurship in trucking.
Finally, it is important to note that LMIA work permit rules are an IRCC matter, and policies addressing LMIA compliance should remain separate.
Many of us who have spent years in the trucking industry came to Canada as foreign workers or international students. We worked hard for years and earned our permanent residency. During that time, we all worked on payroll, putting in long hours, staying away from home for two to three weeks at a time, often without extra pay or flexibility. We did the kind of work that few Canadians want to do, running long-haul routes in difficult conditions, just to build a life here and contribute to Canada’s economy.
Today, we operate as independent drivers, running cross-border freight between Canada and the United States. Being incorporated allows us to choose the loads we want to run, decide when we want to be home, and manage our work-life balance with dignity. We can take time off to visit our families back home if we choose. We are not tied down to anyone, and that independence has given us the quality of life we were missing as payroll drivers.
Thank you for recognizing the contributions of drivers who drive Canada forward every single day.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email Address]
[City]