The shortage of drivers has been felt by trucking companies in Atlantic Canada, according to insurance requirements.
The ability of new truck drivers to work for smaller businesses is currently restricted. Many small businesses say their insurers require them to have two to three years of “relevant” experience, where often rules aren’t entirely clear.
Owner of Far East Transportation Donald Westhaven says it has been challenging just outside of Saint John.
Recently, he had to sell up some of his machinery due to a lack of competent drivers.
Westhaven remarked, “I’d like to see someone sit down and attempt to figure out this industry and where they’re shoving it towards.
“I don’t know if the product is going to get up and down the road, but they’re not making it easy for drivers.
According to the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, businesses are running at 90% of driver capacity, leaving an estimated 28,000 seats unoccupied across the nation.
“Except for family members, I don’t believe any young, new drivers are interested. Your son might follow in your footsteps if he grew up with you and liked the trade. If not, I don’t believe anyone would be interested. The government paints a not-so-pleasant picture, according to Westhaven.
Still, an insurance company won’t put a fresh driver in a truck for you until he has two years of experience.
The Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association finds the Canadian Trucking Association’s prediction of roughly 50,000 open positions by 2027 disturbing.
“Not everybody is in the position to come out and embark on a (training) program that costs 10-12 thousand dollars,” said the association chair Trevor Bent.
The task itself will take roughly 12 weeks to complete.
Bent stated that in order to assist add more drivers to the system, he would like to see greater incentives from the federal government.
The Fredericton chamber of commerce is calling on Ottawa to do more to help, something echoed by the Canadian chamber of commerce..
Trucking firms from Atlantic Canada ask Ottawa for increased driver assistance
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