Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) are critical to the temporary foreign worker program in Canada, but some individuals in the trucking industry are exploiting this process, according to national and provincial trucking association executives.

International Workers Exploited

International workers are willing to pay up to $60,000 for the opportunity to live and work in Canada. Unscrupulous employers exploit this eagerness for personal gain, filling their pockets at the expense of these workers. Some employers take advantage of the truck driver shortage to hire individuals for roles such as mathematicians, statisticians, and administrative workers—positions that could be filled by Canadians.

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Misleading Hiring Practices

Reports have surfaced that some employers who have hired numerous workers through the LMIA process deny they are hiring when questioned. This deceptive practice undermines the integrity of the LMIA system, which aims to verify the genuine need for foreign workers.

LMIA: The First Step

Obtaining an LMIA from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) is often the first step in hiring a foreign worker. This process confirms the need for a foreign worker to fill the position advertised by the employer. Once approved, the prospective truck driver can apply for a work permit, provided they meet the eligibility criteria and submit supporting documents such as a job offer letter, contract, and LMIA confirmation.

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Compliance with Employment Standards

Employers are mandated to comply with Canadian employment standards, including minimum wage laws, hours of service regulations, workplace safety protocols, and employment benefits. However, there are numerous reports of worker abuse by trucking employers in Canada, including forced labour and threats of deportation and job loss.

The Reality for Truck Drivers

Many individuals choose the trucking profession due to its immigration pathways rather than a genuine interest in the job. This often results in weak commitment and lack of motivation among drivers. Research by Newcom Media reveals a significant demographic shift in the trucking industry, driven by South Asian immigrants. In the past 20 years, the proportion of South Asian truck drivers in Canada has increased from 1.8% to 17.8% as of 2016.

Addressing the Shortage

A 2016 report by the Conference Board of Canada projected a shortage of 25,000 to 33,000 for-hire truck drivers by 2020, primarily due to high retirement rates within the sector. In response, Ottawa invested up to $46.3 million in Trucking Human Resources Canada under the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program in early 2023. The Driving Economic Recovery project aims to provide training and wage subsidies to support the recruitment, training, and onboarding of up to 1,400 new truck drivers and 1,200 workers for other in-demand occupations in the trucking sector.

Ensuring Fair Treatment

Despite these measures, more focus is needed to protect foreign workers in the trucking sector from exploitation. Stronger workplace standards and additional compliance regulations are essential to safeguarding these workers’ rights and ensuring fair treatment.

Conclusion

The exploitation of the LMIA process by some trucking employers highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement. Protecting foreign workers is crucial to maintaining the integrity of Canada’s temporary foreign worker program and ensuring a fair and just workplace for all.