Driving Our Economy Forward: The Need for More Class 1 A Professional Drivers

The Province of Alberta, already facing rising inflation and critical supply chain issues, is forecasted to be short 3,600 Class 1A drivers, a shortage of more than 12 percent for the commercial tricking industry, in 2023. The nation is expected to be short 17,000 drivers. While some grant opportunities exist for unemployed Canadians to take the mandatory training, industry representatives and business operators report that the real issues remain driver recruitment, insurance rates for new drivers, and competition for workers from other designated skilled trades.

Across the country, bus and truck companies are struggling to fill vacancies, and this is on top of the imminent wave of retirements the industry is facing. To keep up with current demand alone, Canada needs 17,200 new truck drivers every year up until 2025. Alberta by itself is facing a shortage of 3,600 drivers in the coming year.

1. Classify Class 1A truck driving as a skilled trade Occupation under the National Occupational Classification matrix;
2. Fast-track qualified foreign truck drivers’ immigration applications amongst those who have Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) or equivalent training;
3. Support a mentorship program to allow new drivers to acquire real-world experience and increase road safety;
4. Commit more funding to promoting truck driving as a career option to women;
5. Offer employers financial support to create and maintain women-to-women mentoring and require employers to provide mandatory safety and inclusion training;
6. Mandate insurance premium reductions for operators that take part in a recognized mentorship program; and
7. Include Class 1A driver training from recognized education facilities in student loans to allow students to take training and afford living expenses.