In the vital trucking sector, weak oversight is leaving Canada’s workers unprotected and unsafe
A Globe and Mail investigation has uncovered widespread wage theft, worker exploitation and safety concerns in Canada’s trucking industry, driven in part by the illegal misclassification of drivers as self-employed contractors. The investigation found that trucking firms frequently violate labour laws with limited consequences, while most carriers have never undergone comprehensive safety audits despite mounting concerns over driver fatigue and unsafe practices. The report also highlighted how fragmented oversight between federal and provincial agencies allows repeat offenders to evade scrutiny. Advocates warn that poor enforcement not only leaves many immigrant drivers vulnerable to exploitation, but also increases public safety risks on Canadian roads.
