Ottawa, September 16, 2025
The Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Subject: request for investigation into the trucking industry
For several months now, my office has been hearing from a number of individuals and organizations with concerns about the issue of “Driver Inc.” These conversations have helped me to understand the considerable scope of this issue in Canada, and especially in Ontario and Quebec, where this phenomenon runs rampant. Not only does it compromise everyone's safety on the roads, but it also results in major tax losses for the government and its workers.
“Driver Inc.” refers to a fraudulent practice that is widespread in the trucking industry. It involves passing off drivers as independent contractors by forcing them to incorporate, even though they are neither owner-operators nor responsible for the financial risks associated with this status. This misclassification allows certain companies to avoid paying social security contributions, taxes, and employee benefits such as unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation in the event of an accident. As a result, these drivers are seeing their incomes drastically reduced, all while being deprived of the legal protections they should be guaranteed. The repercussions are also being felt strongly by drivers who are following the rules, who, for some time now, have been seeing themselves replaced through this dangerous and unfair kind of “subcontracting” that is jeopardizing not only their jobs, but also safety and working conditions throughout the sector.
“Driver Inc.” is causing serious concern among several major players in the industry. The Quebec Trucking Association (ACQ), the Association des professionnels du dépannage du Québec (APDQ) and the Teamsters Union have formed a united front in denouncing the extent of the damage caused by “Driver Inc.” and in calling for swift and decisive government action. They emphasize that this practice not only harms the bottom lines of companies that do follow the rules, but it also jeopardizes the safety of road users. The fact that so many industry stakeholders are coming together to speak out against “Driver Inc.” highlights how urgently government intervention is needed to put a stop to this scourge.
In recent months, a climate of fear and worry has been growing on Quebec's roads, as a number of fatal accidents involving heavy trucks have made headlines.
The situation is truly alarming: between 2023 and 2024, deaths related to these heavy vehicles increased by 35%, according to data from the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). This sad observation was confirmed when, in the last week of August alone, three tragedies plunged Quebec into mourning. One man lost his life in a head-on collision on Highway 50, a fatal hit-and-run accident occurred on Highway 20 in Saint-Hyacinthe, and a pile-up on Highway 30 tragically claimed the lives of a woman and her young son. These events highlight the need to improve road safety in order to protect all road users.
That is why, as the Bloc Québecois’ Transportation Critic, I urge you to order an official investigation into the extent of the “Driver Inc.” phenomenon and worker exploitation in Canada’s trucking industry, in accordance with the powers conferred upon you by the Motor Vehicle Transport Act (section 9.1), which authorizes you to investigate any irregularity or practice that compromises safety, regularity, and fairness in the trucking industry. Such an investigation will allow for responsibilities to be clarified, oversight to be strengthened, and for necessary regulatory measures to be adopted in order to put an end to this systemic fraud. This is a necessary step in protecting workers’ rights, ensuring the safety of road users, and preserving the economic integrity of the trucking industry.
In addition, I ask that you eliminate the right of temporary immigrants to work as incorporated drivers in this sector, limiting their employment to salaried positions. This measure is consistent with the many Canadian regulations governing access to certain strategic sectors where safety, competence, and public protection are priorities. For example, the official title of “pilot” is governed by the Pilotage Act and the Civil Aviation Act, both of which require citizenship as a prerequisite for employment in these sectors. Several provinces also impose strict conditions in certain job categories, like the requirement to be a permanent resident or citizen in order to obtain the necessary licences and certifications. Restricting the status of incorporated driver to only safe, vetted workers would help maintain the integrity of the profession, strengthen road safety, and protect the fundamental rights of workers.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I remain at your disposal for any and all collaboration aimed at putting an end to this problem.
Yours sincerely,
Xavier Barsalou-Duval, M.P.
Pierre-Boucher–Les Patriotes–Verchères
Bloc Québecois Critic for Transport, Infrastructure and Communities