September 30, 2025
Xavier Barsalou-Duval, M.P.
Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères
Xavier.Barsalou-Duval@parl.gc.ca
Dear M.P. Barsalou-Duval:
I am responding to your letter of September 16, 2025, in which you raised concerns about employee misclassification in the trucking industry.
Please be assured that I have noted your concerns and I appreciate your sharing them with me. The Government of Canada recognizes that employee misclassification, also known as the “Driver Inc.” business model, is impacting the trucking industry. Transport Canada supports Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC’s) Labour Program and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) in their oversight work. This work will be reinforced by data-sharing agreements announced in the 2024 Budget to facilitate inspections and enforcement.
It is important to note that the provincial and territorial governments are responsible for enforcing safety regulations related to federally regulated trucking activities. Provincial and territorial officials are monitoring the impacts of this issue on safety violations, and some have started piloting joint enforcement activities with the federal Labour Program.
In addition, at the Trucking Hackathon held in Toronto from July 15–16, 2025, industry stakeholders discussed the Driver Inc. issue with federal, provincial, and territorial deputy ministers of transportation. At that time, stakeholders highlighted non-compliant practices related to worker protection, tax obligations, and safety. The Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) is looking at further action it can take within its mandate on Driver Inc.
Rest assured that Transport Canada officials are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to work with their federal, provincial, and territorial counterparts, including the CCMTA, as well as trucking industry stakeholders, to enhance commercial vehicle safety in Canada.
Given the lead roles of ESDC and the CRA in this matter, I have forwarded a copy of your correspondence to my colleagues responsible for these departments, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, and the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue. I have also forwarded a copy of your correspondence to the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, who has responsibilities to foreign nationals seeking work in Canada. I am sure that my Cabinet colleagues will give these matters every consideration.
Thank you again for writing.
Sincerely,
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons
c.c. The Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Jobs and Families
Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Finance and National Revenue
The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship