Canadian trucking is still moving the country, but the latest figures show how hard the pressure points are hitting. In 2023, the average Class 8 fleet age is 12.4 years while driver demand is expected to outpace supply with a shortage of 43,000 by 2027. From GDP and freight volumes to wages, safety, and emissions, these statistics reveal a sector that is growing yet straining at the seams.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the Canadian trucking industry contributed $74.6 billion to Canada's GDP, representing approximately 4.2% of the national total
- Truck transportation accounted for 72% of the total tonnage of freight moved in Canada in 2021, totaling over 1.1 billion tonnes
- The industry's output grew by 5.8% in real terms from 2020 to 2022, driven by e-commerce demand
- In 2022, the Canadian trucking industry employed 300,000 drivers directly
- Total workforce in trucking: 450,000 including support roles in 2023
- Driver shortage estimated at 25,000 in 2023, projected to 43,000 by 2027
- In 2022, Canada had 168,000 power units (tractors) registered in the trucking sector
- Total trailers registered: 412,000 units across all types in 2022
- Average fleet age: 12.4 years for Class 8 trucks in 2023
- In 2022, there were 12,450 large truck crashes in Canada resulting in 512 fatalities
- Fatality rate per 100 million km: 1.2 for trucks vs 0.8 overall in 2022
- Hours-of-service violations: 8,500 citations issued in 2022
- In 2022, trucking emitted 48.2 million tonnes of GHGs, 23% of transportation total
- Average CO2 per tonne-km: 45 grams for diesel trucks 2023
- LNG trucks in use: 2,800 units reducing emissions by 25% each 2022
Canadian trucking powered $74.6 billion of GDP in 2022, moving most freight while facing a growing driver shortage.
Related reading
01 · Category
Economic Impact29 stats
01
In 2022, the Canadian trucking industry contributed $74.6 billion to Canada's GDP, representing approximately 4.2% of the national total
02
Truck transportation accounted for 72% of the total tonnage of freight moved in Canada in 2021, totaling over 1.1 billion tonnes
03
The industry's output grew by 5.8% in real terms from 2020 to 2022, driven by e-commerce demand
04
Trucking generated $12.4 billion in tax revenues for federal and provincial governments in 2022
05
Export-related trucking services added $18.7 billion to Canada's trade balance in 2021
06
The for-hire trucking sector's revenue reached $56.3 billion in 2022, up 12% from 2021
07
Trucking supported 3.8% of Canada's total private sector investment in 2022 at $4.1 billion
08
Fuel costs represented 28% of operating expenses for Canadian carriers in 2022, totaling $14.2 billion industry-wide
09
The industry imported $2.9 billion in trucking equipment from the US in 2022
10
Trucking's multiplier effect generated $168 billion in total economic activity in 2022
11
Provincial breakdown: Ontario trucking GDP contribution was $28.4 billion in 2022
12
Quebec's trucking sector output: $15.2 billion, 3.9% of provincial GDP in 2022
13
Alberta oil sands trucking added $6.7 billion to GDP in 2022
14
BC port trucking handled $42 billion in goods value in 2022
15
Manitoba ag trucking revenue: $3.1 billion in 2021
16
Saskatchewan grain trucking: 45 million tonnes moved, $4.8 billion value in 2022
17
Atlantic provinces combined trucking GDP: $5.6 billion in 2022
18
NWT diamond trucking: $1.2 billion economic impact annually
19
Yukon mining trucking services: $850 million in 2022
20
Nunavut remote supply trucking: $420 million yearly
21
Cross-border trucking trade volume: 14 million loads in 2022 worth $450 billion
22
E-commerce driven trucking growth: 15% YoY increase in last-mile deliveries 2022
23
Insurance premiums for trucking: $3.7 billion collected in 2022
24
Maintenance and repair sector for trucks: $8.9 billion revenue 2022
25
Tire sales to trucking: 12 million units, $1.8 billion in 2022
26
Tolls and fees paid by trucks: $2.4 billion annually across Canada
27
Driver training investments: $450 million spent by industry in 2022
28
Technology adoption costs: $1.2 billion for ELDs and telematics in 2022
29
Supply chain disruptions cost trucking $6.3 billion in 2022
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
In the economic impact picture, Canada’s trucking industry delivered $74.6 billion in GDP in 2022 and expanded its real output by 5.8% from 2020 to 2022, showing how e-commerce driven demand is translating into measurable growth and tax revenue of $12.4 billion for governments.
02 · Category
Employment And Labor26 stats
01
In 2022, the Canadian trucking industry employed 300,000 drivers directly
02
Total workforce in trucking: 450,000 including support roles in 2023
03
Driver shortage estimated at 25,000 in 2023, projected to 43,000 by 2027
04
Average truck driver wage: $62,500annually in 2022, up 8% from 2021
05
Women drivers: 8.5% of total drivers, 25,500 individuals in 2022
06
New Class 1 licenses issued: 12,400 in 2022, down 4% from 2021
07
Indigenous workers in trucking: 4.2% or 19,000 employees in 2022
08
Youth under 25 drivers: 6% of workforce, 27,000 in 2023
09
Turnover rate for drivers: 22% annually in 2022
10
Dispatchers employed: 18,000 full-time in 2022
11
Mechanics in trucking: 42,000 positions in 2023
12
Office/admin staff: 65,000 across carriers in 2022
13
Owner-operators: 110,000 individuals, 35% of drivers in 2022
14
Immigrants in trucking workforce: 28% or 126,000 in 2022
15
Training hours per new driver: average 160 hours in 2022 programs
16
Unionized drivers: 15% of workforce, 45,000 members in 2023
17
Part-time drivers: 12,000 nationwide in 2022
18
Retirements projected: 50,000 drivers by 2027
19
Wage premium for long-haul: 25% above local drivers at $78,000 avg 2022
20
Benefits coverage: 68% of drivers receive health plans in 2023
21
Overtime hours average: 450 per driver annually in 2022
22
Seasonal employment peaks: +15,000 temp hires in harvest 2022
23
Ontario driver jobs: 120,000 total in 2022
24
Quebec francophone drivers: 95,000 employed 2022
25
Alberta oilfield drivers: 28,000 in 2023
26
BC logging truckers: 9,500 drivers 2022
Interpretation
Employment And Labor Interpretation
In Canada’s trucking employment landscape, the driver workforce grew to 300,000 direct drivers in 2022 and 450,000 workers overall in 2023, yet a shortage of 25,000 drivers in 2023 is projected to reach 43,000 by 2027, alongside rising wages that averaged $62,500 in 2022.
03 · Category
Fleet And Vehicle Data23 stats
01
In 2022, Canada had 168,000 power units (tractors) registered in the trucking sector
02
Total trailers registered: 412,000 units across all types in 2022
03
Average fleet age: 12.4 years for Class 8 trucks in 2023
04
New truck registrations: 32,500 Class 8 in 2022, up 18% YoY
05
Freight tonnage per truck avg: 22 tonnes per load in 2021
06
Average annual mileage per truck: 110,000 km in 2022
07
Fuel efficiency avg: 6.8 km/L for long-haul fleets 2023
08
Electric trucks in fleet: 1,200 units operational in 2023
09
Refrigerated trailers: 45,000 units, 11% of total trailers 2022
10
Tanker trucks: 18,500 registered for hazmat in 2022
11
Oversize/overweight permits issued: 1.2 million annually avg 2022
12
Telematics equipped trucks: 65% of fleets over 50 trucks in 2023
13
Average load factor: 85% utilization in 2022
14
Cross-border capable trucks: 92,000 with FAST approval 2023
15
Propane fueled trucks: 4,500 in operation 2022
16
Ontario registered trucks: 72,000 power units 2022
17
Quebec trailers: 110,000 registered 2022
18
Alberta heavy haulers: 15,200 specialized trucks 2023
19
BC straight trucks: 28,000 under 11m 2022
20
Average truck speed on highways: 92 km/h loaded in 2022 surveys
21
Idling time percentage: 18% of total engine hours in urban 2023
22
Tire pressure monitoring systems: 52% adoption rate 2023
23
Collision avoidance tech: 41% of new trucks equipped 2022
Interpretation
Fleet And Vehicle Data Interpretation
Fleet and vehicle data shows that Canadian trucking is operating on a large but aging base, with Class 8 trucks averaging 12.4 years in 2023 even as 32,500 new Class 8 units were registered in 2022, up 18% year over year.
More related reading
04 · Category
Safety And Compliance24 stats
01
In 2022, there were 12,450 large truck crashes in Canada resulting in 512 fatalities
02
Fatality rate per 100 million km: 1.2 for trucks vs 0.8 overall in 2022
03
Hours-of-service violations: 8,500 citations issued in 2022
04
CVOR demerit points issued: 2.1 million to Ontario carriers 2022
05
Drug/alcohol tests positive: 1.8% rate for 150,000 tests 2022
06
Rollover incidents: 1,200 truck cases, 22% fatal in 2022
07
Brake-related crashes: 15% of heavy truck incidents 2022
08
Speeding violations for trucks: 45,000 tickets in Ontario alone 2022
09
ELD compliance rate: 92% among inspected fleets 2023
10
Cargo securement failures: 3,200 violations 2022 nationwide
11
Driver fatigue cited in 28% of fatal crashes 2022
12
Seatbelt non-use in truck fatalities: 41% rate 2022
13
Hazmat incidents: 420 releases from trucks 2022
14
Winter weather crashes: 2,800 truck-related in 2022-23 season
15
Out-of-service rates at inspections: 24% for brakes 2022
16
Ontario CVSA blitz: 1,500 trucks OOS out of 8,000 inspected 2023
17
Quebec safe driver awards: 2,400 carriers recognized 2022
18
Alberta safety audits: 95% compliance for top 500 carriers 2022
19
BC log truck safety: 0.9 incidents per million km 2022
20
National safety training completions: 180,000 drivers certified 2022
21
Insurance claims frequency: 12% drop since ELD mandate 2023
22
Pedestrian strikes by trucks: 320 incidents, 65 fatal 2022
23
Rear-end collisions: 42% of truck crashes 2022
24
Maintenance violation citations: 11,000 in 2022 inspections
Interpretation
Safety And Compliance Interpretation
In 2022, safety and compliance concerns were clearly visible in Canada with 12,450 large truck crashes that produced 512 fatalities and a higher fatality rate for trucks at 1.2 per 100 million km versus 0.8 overall.
05 · Category
Sustainability And Innovation25 stats
01
In 2022, trucking emitted 48.2 million tonnes of GHGs, 23% of transportation total
02
Average CO2 per tonne-km: 45 grams for diesel trucks 2023
03
LNG trucks in use: 2,800 units reducing emissions by 25% each 2022
04
Biofuel adoption: 15% of fleets using B20 or higher 2023
05
Idle reduction tech savings: 5% fuel reduction fleet-wide 2022
06
Zero-emission truck targets: 30,000 by 2030 government pledge
07
Hydrogen fuel cell trucks: 150 pilots operational 2023
08
Aerodynamic retrofits: 28% of fleets, saving 4% fuel 2022
09
Tire rolling resistance improvements: 12% efficiency gain since 2015
10
Route optimization software: 72% adoption, 10% emission cuts 2023
11
Ontario low-carbon fuel mandates: 5% renewable diesel by 2025
12
Quebec electrification grants: $200 million allocated 2022-25
13
Alberta carbon tax impact: $1.2 billion paid by trucking 2022
14
BC clean truck incentives: 500 trucks funded 2023
15
Recycling of truck parts: 92% rate for end-of-life vehicles 2022
16
Noise reduction tech: 35% quieter new trucks compliant 2023
17
Predictive maintenance AI: 18% downtime reduction, emission savings 2023
18
Autonomous truck pilots: 12 projects approved 2023
19
Blockchain for supply chain: 22% carriers piloting for efficiency 2023
20
Solar-powered truck stops: 45 locations with EV charging 2023
21
Waterway modal shift potential: 10% freight to reduce truck emissions
22
Driver training for eco-driving: 120,000 certified, 8% savings avg 2022
23
Carbon offset purchases: $150 million by fleets 2022
24
Lightweight materials use: 15% weight reduction in new fleets 2023
25
GHG reporting compliance: 98% of large carriers submitting 2022
Interpretation
Sustainability And Innovation Interpretation
Canadian trucking is accelerating decarbonization through innovation, cutting GHGs to 48.2 million tonnes in 2022 while boosting adoption of cleaner technologies such as LNG fleets at 2,800 units and biofuels where 15% of fleets use B20 or higher, all under a broader push toward 30,000 zero-emission trucks by 2030.
report visual · Key figures
Key indicators in Canadian trucking (recent years)
Trucking is a major economic contributor, with output growth and clear operational, cost, and industry-growth signals across 2020–2023.
5.8%
The industry's output grew by 5.8% in real terms from 2020 to 2022, driven by e-commerce demand
4.2%
In 2022, the Canadian trucking industry contributed $74.6 billion to Canada's GDP, representing approximately 4.2% of th
12%
The for-hire trucking sector's revenue reached $56.3 billion in 2022, up 12% from 2021
28%
Fuel costs represented 28% of operating expenses for Canadian carriers in 2022, totaling $14.2 billion industry-wide
92%
ELD compliance rate: 92% among inspected fleets 2023
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Priyanka Sharma. (2026, February 13). Canadian Trucking Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canadian-trucking-industry-statistics
MLA
Priyanka Sharma. "Canadian Trucking Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/canadian-trucking-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Priyanka Sharma. 2026. "Canadian Trucking Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/canadian-trucking-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
www150.statcan.gc.ca
tc.canada.ca
conferenceboard.ca
cantruck.ca
bankofcanada.ca
truckinghr.comic.gc.ca
ontario.castat.gouv.qc.ca
alberta.ca
portvancouver.comgov.mb.ca
saskatchewan.cagov.nt.ca
yukon.cagov.nu.cacbsa-asfc.gc.ca
pwc.com
ibc.ca
tireassociation.ca
actresearch.netjobbank.gc.carcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca
ccjdigital.com
ota.ca
teamsters.cafor.gov.bc.ca
vsa-ava.canrcan.gc.ca
geotab.com
propane.casaaq.gouv.qc.ca
icbc.com
ccmta.ca
fmcsa.dot.govcanada.ca
ngvc.ca
quebec.cawww2.gov.bc.ca
apma.ca
cdngroup.com