Truck driving jobs in Canada thrills many interested foreigners. So, if you have prior experience in truck driving, and love driving long distances and discovering new places. Then why not earn an income while doing what you love? The trucking industry in Canada is booming because there is a huge demand for experienced truck drivers. The Canadian government is searching for truck drivers that will work in their country but you need to fit the role.
There are plenty of employment opportunities for truck drivers in Canada. This is your chance if you are interested in immigrating to Canada as a truck driver. The Canadian labor market for truck drivers has remained strong despite the drastic effects of the global pandemic and it’s expected to continuously do so for the next five years. Unemployment for qualified truck drivers in Canada is way below average.
Moreover, there are many truck driving jobs in Canada in 2022/2023 for foreigners to start applying for, and in this post, we will be providing a compilation of different companies that offer these truck drivers jobs for you to choose and apply for. However, continue reading to learn more about truck driving jobs in Canada.
Meanwhile, in this article, we will explain in full detail everything you need to know on the criteria and how to apply for truck driving jobs in Canada, how to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver, and more.
Overview of Truck Driving Jobs in Canada
Transport truck drivers operate heavy trucks to transport goods and materials over urban, interurban, provincial, and international routes. They are employed by transportation, manufacturing, distribution, moving companies, and trucking employment service agencies, or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes drivers of special purpose trucks and shunters who move trailers to and from loading docks within trucking yards or lots.
Furthermore, transport truck drivers gain employment under so many job titles and positions. So, to be eligible under the code of Transport truck driver, you should be employed or work as any of these job titles or positions below.
- transport driver
- truck driver, heavy truck
- logging truck driver
- long haul truck driver
- tow truck driver
- truck driver, tractor-trailer
- truck driver
- shunt truck driver
- bulk goods truck driver
- dump truck driver
- flatbed truck driver
- moving van driver
People working as truck drivers have different job prospects depending on where they work in Canada. However, according to Jobbank Canada, this occupational group is expected to face labor shortage conditions over the period of 2019-2028 at the national level. Take a look at the labor market conditions for truck drivers over the next 10 years.
Moreover, according to Statistics Canada, an entry-level Transport truck driver with 5 or fewer years of experience can averagely earn around $66870 whilst a truck driver with mid-level experience can earn an average total compensation of $115,700. Then, an experienced truck driver with experience of 10-20 years can earn an average total compensation of $269,110, and a truck driver with late-career experience earns an average total compensation of $344,544. However, these averages vary between sectors and provinces. Check the section below for further details.
Requirements for Employment
This is what candidates typically need for the job.
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- On-the-job-training is provided.
- Completion of an accredited driver training course of up to three months duration, through a vocational school or community college, may be required.
- A Class 3 or D license is required to drive straight-body trucks.
- A Class 1 or A license is required to drive long combination vehicles.
- Air brake endorsement (Z) is required for drivers who operate vehicles equipped with air brakes.
- Transportation of dangerous goods (TDG) certification is required for drivers who transport hazardous products or dangerous goods.
- Additional licensing endorsement or certification may be required to drive articulated trucks.
Moreover, candidates may also need to get a certification from a regulatory authority before they start working. But truck driving jobs are not regulated in all provinces and territories in Canada.
How Much Do Truck Driving Jobs in Canada Pay
Just like we said earlier truck drivers’ salaries in Canada vary between sectors and provinces. However, the main factor that determines truck driving jobs salary in Canada is the duration. In Canada, the longer the time you spend traveling from one province to another, the higher your income. In Alberta, truck divers earn $30/hour, and in New Brunswick at $17/hour.
Therefore, the annual salary for truck drivers falls between $35,000 to $60,000 for full-time drivers. However, here are some of the salaries for some provinces in Canada:
- Alberta – $54,195
- Northwest Territories – $52,650
- British Columbia – $49,725
- Saskatchewan – $48,750
- Ontario $46,940
- Quebec – $46,781
- Prince Edward Island – $37,986
Truck Driving Jobs in Canada
Meanwhile, here are some truck driver jobs in various locations in Canada.
Driver, dump truck
PRELUDE ENTERPRISES LTD
Location: East St. Paul (MB)
Salary: $22.00 hourly
Truck driver, heavy truck
Brantford Property Management Inc
Location: Brantford (ON)
Salary: $25.00 hourly
Long haul truck driver
TRANSVILLE TRANSPORT LTD.
Location: Calgary (AB)
Salary: $26.70 hourly
Truck driver
2034818 Alberta Ltd
Location: Edmonton (AB)
Salary: $29.00 hourly
Driver, dump truck
O.V. Aggregates Ltd
Location: Wainwright (AB)
Salary: $25.00 to $28.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
Driver, truck
2104314 Ontario Ltd.
Location: Windsor (ON)
Salary: $24.00 to $26.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
Truck driver
HighWay Line Trucking Ltd.
Location: Calgary (AB)
Salary: $29.00 hourly
illicoTruck driver
Groupe Morneau
Location: Anjou (QC)
Salary: not available
illicoTow truck driver
CAA-Quebec
Location: Québec (QC)
Salary: not available
Driver, truck
Corporate Facility Supply Inc
Location: St. Catharines (ON)
Salary: $18.00 to $22.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
Delivery truck driver
Bar-Ben Harware Inc.
Location: Mississauga (ON)
Salary: $18.00 hourly
Québec emploiDriver, truck
BETON CHEVALIER INC.
Location: Beauceville (QC)
Salary: $22.85 hourly
Québec emploiDriver, truck
BETON CHEVALIER INC.
Location: Sherbrooke (QC)
Salary: $23.05 hourly
Québec emploiDriver, truck
LEMIRE & POIRIER INC
Location: Nicolet (QC)
Salary: $23.00 hourly
Québec emploiDriver, truck
Groupe FJH Construction Inc.
Location: Victoriaville (QC)
Salary: $19.00 hourly
Truck driver, truck-trailer
Pratts Limited
Location: Winnipeg (MB)
Salary: $20.00 to $23.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
Tow truck driver
Cardinal Towing Inc
Location: Markham (ON)
Salary: 33% commission per load
Long haul truck driver
Falcon Motor Xpress Group of Companies Inc.
Location: Caledon East (ON)
Salary: $24.10 hourly
Truck driver, ready-mix
City Concrete
Location: Hanwell (NB)
Salary: $20.00 to $24.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
Driver, dump truck
Perfection Paving Ltd
Location: Hanwell (NB)
Salary: $18.00 to $20.00 hourly (to be negotiated)
These are some of the truck driver jobs that are listed on Jobbank Canada. Check the link for more details on each job vacancy.
How to Immigrate to Canada as a Truck Driver
There are many truck driver jobs in Canada, but to get hold of one, you will need to apply for a work permit to legally enter and work in Canada. Here are three top programs you can apply through for a Canadian work permit.
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
The TFWP allows people who are neither Canadian citizens nor permanent residents to work in Canada in positions that are facing labor shortages. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program also allows employers to hire foreign workers to fill these in-demand positions.
However, if you are applying through the TFWP and receive a job offer in Canada, an important part of the hiring process is applying for a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job. Moreover, it will also show that no Canadian worker or permanent resident is available to do the job. A positive LMIA can also be called a confirmation letter.
Atlantic Immigration Pilot
This is program is aimed at skilled workers who are seeking permanent residence in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces; Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. However, the Atlantic Immigration Program is also open to foreign graduates who have completed their studies in one of these four provinces.
Meanwhile, there are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration pilot: Atlantic International Graduate Program, Atlantic High-Skilled Program, and Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program.
However, if you’re planning to work as a truck driver in Canada, the program you should focus your attention on is the Atlantic Intermediate Skilled Program. Furthermore, to apply for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program you must:
- Have at least one year’s experience working in a position that requires a high school education or on the job training
- You must have a high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential
- To prove this, you will need to take an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- You’ll need to take an approved language test to prove that you are proficient enough in English or French to work and live in Canada
- You need to provide proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself and your dependents, whether they are accompanying you in Canada or not.
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Furthermore, you can also obtain a Canadian work visa as a truck driver through the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP). These programs allow foreign skilled workers to live and work in one of the 11 participating Canadian provinces and territories. Meanwhile, the 11 PNPs are as follows:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
You could really stand a good chance of being successful by applying through a PNP. Meanwhile, if your application for a PNP in your chosen province is successful, you will then be nominated to be considered for residency.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, if you are thinking of working as a truck driver in Canada, then you should also consider finding out in which provinces truck drivers are most in demand. You should visit Jobbank Canada and check the occupation’s trend analysis to see prospects.
Moreover, it’s not a requirement to have work experience if you wish to work as a truck driver in Canada, having work experience can increase your chances of a successful application to certain immigration programs. If you’re applying for Express Entry, having previous work experience in the field you wish to work in can increase your chances of being successful.