Manitoba Trucking Association

06/11/2026

Mythbusting Driver Inc: Myth 4: "The industry should focus on bigger problems."

The reality is that Driver Inc. is connected to many of the larger issues the industry is already trying to address.

Across Canada, trucking associations, regulators, and enforcement agencies are increasingly focused on issues such as labour trafficking, immigration abuse, carrier fraud, chameleon carriers, and unsafe operators.

These are distinct issues and should not be confused with Driver Inc. However, they often emerge from the same underlying problem: businesses that view compliance requirements as obstacles rather than responsibilities.

In the latter part of 2025, several roadside blitzes were held in collaboration with agencies such as the RCMP, Manitoba Motor Carrier Enforcement, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and the Workers Compensation Board (WCB). Several issues were identified, including driver misclassification, unpaid wages, overtime violations, and more. As a result, hundreds of charges were laid for a variety of offences, including speeding, seatbelt violations, imprudent driving, and more.

The Manitoba Trucking Association, together with industry partners including the other provincial trucking associations and Canadian Trucking Alliance, has been advocating for stronger oversight, improved auditing, better accountability measures, and enhanced enforcement against carriers that gain an advantage by breaking the rules.

The goal is not to create more regulation; the goal is to ensure existing regulations are enforced.

Visit our website to learn more about the myths surrounding Driver Inc, as well as a plan forward: https://trucking.mb.ca/industry/driver-inc/

06/10/2026

Mythbusting Driver Inc: Myth 3: "You can't connect Driver Inc. to safety."

This criticism deserves a fair response. Safe drivers can work for non-compliant carriers. Unsafe drivers can work for compliant carriers. Driver Inc. itself does not determine whether an individual driver is safe. However, safety is not just about individual drivers. Safety is also about the systems and processes that support them.

The trucking industry's concern is that some carriers using Driver Inc. models are not simply avoiding payroll obligations. In many cases, those same operators may be cutting costs in other areas that directly affect safety and accountability. Maintenance programs, driver training, record-keeping, insurance coverage, compliance oversight, and hiring practices all require investment.

When a carrier is willing to ignore employment laws for a competitive advantage, it's fair to ask: What other rules do they view as optional?

The question is not whether every Driver Inc. carrier is unsafe. The question is whether a business built around avoiding compliance obligations should be trusted to self-regulate in other areas of its operation.

That is why safety remains part of the discussion.

Visit our website to learn more about the myths surrounding Driver Inc, as well as a plan forward: https://trucking.mb.ca/industry/driver-inc/

06/09/2026

Mythbusting Driver Inc: Myth 2: "Driver Inc. is only about taxes."

If Driver Inc. were solely about taxes, the industry's concerns would be far more limited. Yes, payroll remittances are at the heart of the issue. Legitimate carriers deduct and remit CPP, Employment Insurance, income tax, workers' compensation premiums where applicable, and other statutory obligations. Carriers operating under Driver Inc. models often avoid many of these costs.

The result is a significant competitive advantage over businesses that follow the rules.
Every business seeks to manage costs and operate efficiently. There is nothing wrong with arranging one's affairs in a way that minimizes taxes within the law. The issue with Driver Inc. is not tax planning.

Driver Inc. has become about more than payroll deductions. It reveals something important about a carrier's approach to compliance.

When a carrier is willing to deliberately misclassify workers and avoid employment obligations, it raises legitimate questions about how seriously they view other regulatory requirements.
Are maintenance standards being followed? Are drivers receiving proper training? Are records being maintained accurately? Are immigration and labour laws being respected? Are workers being treated fairly and legally?

No one should assume that every carrier involved in Driver Inc. is violating every other regulation.

That would be unfair and inaccurate.

However, the trucking industry has seen enough examples of non-compliant operators cutting corners across multiple aspects of their business to recognize a pattern: businesses willing to ignore one set of rules are often more willing to ignore others.

Driver Inc. has become a warning sign—not because payroll issues automatically create safety issues, but because they often reveal a broader culture of non-compliance.

Visit our website to learn more about the myths surrounding Driver Inc, as well as a plan forward: https://trucking.mb.ca/industry/driver-inc/

06/08/2026

Mythbusting Driver Inc: Myth 1: "Driver Inc. is no different than hiring owner-operators."

This is perhaps the most common misconception surrounding Driver Inc. There are many factors considered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) when determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor. In trucking, one of the most important considerations is ownership and control of the equipment.

Legitimate owner-operators own, lease, or finance their trucks. They operate independent businesses, assume financial risk, and are responsible for their own remittances and tax obligations.

Drivers engaged in Driver Inc. arrangements are typically operating company-owned equipment while performing work under conditions that closely resemble traditional employment. Despite this, they are classified as independent contractors rather than employees.

The issue is not owner-operators being paid by the mile. Legitimate owner-operators have existed for decades and play an important role in the industry. Driver Inc. isn't an owner-operator model. It's employee misclassification.

The issue arises when employment relationships are reclassified in name only, allowing carriers to avoid payroll deductions, CPP contributions, Employment Insurance premiums, vacation pay obligations, and other employer responsibilities. Professional industries depend on standards. If businesses can simply opt out of employment laws and other regulatory obligations, those standards become meaningless.

That distinction matters.

Visit our website to learn more about the myths surrounding Driver Inc, as well as a plan forward: https://trucking.mb.ca/industry/driver-inc/

06/05/2026

Thank you, TruckNews.com for providing us with a space to share our concerns about the dangerous creep of Driver Inc. It is no longer simply a payroll issue; it impacts the safety of every user of Canadian roadways. This is no longer an industry issue; it is something all Canadians should be demanding action on to ensure safety for everyone.

Full article:

The Manitoba Trucking Association extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by the recent fatal collision in Brandon, Man.

06/03/2026

The Manitoba Trucking Association extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by the recent fatal collision in Brandon, Manitoba.

This tragedy has once again highlighted a serious gap in Canada's commercial transportation oversight system. While the vast majority of trucking companies operate safely and responsibly, there remains a small number of operators who continue to exploit regulatory gaps by re-establishing themselves under new names or in different jurisdictions after losing the privilege to operate. These so-called "chameleon carriers" are unacceptable and have no place in Canada's trucking industry.

For many years, industry stakeholders have raised concerns about the ability of unsafe carriers to move between jurisdictions and continue operating, despite a history of non-compliance. Manitoba has taken important steps to address this issue, but provincial action alone cannot solve a problem that crosses provincial borders. A national solution is required.

The Manitoba Trucking Association continues to support the development of a national carrier registry system and enhanced interprovincial data sharing that would allow regulators to identify unsafe operators and prevent them from simply resurfacing elsewhere. A carrier's safety history should follow that carrier, regardless of where they seek authority to operate. This is a matter of accountability, transparency, and public safety.

Government can no longer view this as solely an industry concern. When regulatory gaps allow unsafe operators to remain on Canadian roads, the consequences extend far beyond the trucking sector and affect every road user. Canadians deserve a system that ensures unsafe carriers cannot evade oversight by crossing provincial boundaries.

The time has come for coordinated national action to close these gaps and strengthen public confidence in Canada's transportation safety framework.

CTA President Demands Immediate Action from Ministers on ‘Chameleon Carriers’ Following Fatal Manitoba Crash:

This carrier had its safety certificate revoked by Manitoba in 2021. Instead of being shut down, they exploited systemic loopholes to become a chameleon carrier. They simply crossed into Alberta, obtained a new licence, and kept operating.

This story repeats itself time and time again.

We do not need more discussion. We need immediate ex*****on. Canadian lives depend on it. https://cantruck.ca/cta-president-demands-immediate-action-from-ministers-on-chameleon-carriers-following-fatal-manitoba-crash/

06/01/2026

"Canada's trucking system is broken, and it may be putting you at risk". Thank you to The Globe and Mail for their in-depth coverage of Canada's trucking industry and some of the problems within it, including widespread labour abuse, wage theft, and regulatory failures across Canada’s trucking sector.

While the article is currently behind a paywall (subscribers can access it here: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-trucking-industry-drivers-canada-investigation/ ), you can get a solid understanding of the issues at hand in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5iBJWnHiuC4?feature=share

The Canadian Trucking Alliance has also released this response to the article: https://cantruck.ca/the-big-rig-globe-mail-launches-investigative-series-into-driver-inc-labour-abuse-in-trucking/

06/01/2026

Big congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 MTA- Inland Truck & Equipment Industry Excellence Awards, handed out on Saturday, May 30, at the annual MTA Driver Awards Banquet. Award winners recognized at the event included:

• David Friesen (Day & Ross)
• Kirandeep Sohi (Day and Ross)
• Robin Penner ( HyLife)
• Ted Wachna (HyLife Ltd.)
• Marcel Gosseye ( KAGCanada)
• Edwin Klippenstein (Steve's Livestock Transport Ltd.)
• James Mengistu (Steve’s Livestock Transport Ltd.)
• Luzie Doerksen (Penner International Inc.)
• Matthew Kauenhowen (Trappers Transport Ltd.)
• Terry Walde (Searcy Trucking LTD.)

06/01/2026

Congratulations to all of the winners from the 2026 Manitoba Professional Truck Driving Championship held on Saturday, May 30! Rodney Birdsbill of Allscape Ltd. took home Grand Champion honours from the day’s Professional Truck Driving Championship (PTDC) with a score 118 points above average in the Super-B category. Birdsbill was also the Hal Bjornson Memorial Award recipient (top score overall).

Other PTDC winners were Cody Briggs (Jade Transport Ltd) in the tandem-tandem category as Top Rookie. Top Team was Bison Transport Inc.

First place PTDC recipients (Team Manitoba) are:
• Day Cab Tandem: Arshdeep Singh (XPO Logistics Inc.)
• Tandem-Tandem: Prabjot Randhawa (Bison Transport Inc)
• Super-B: Rodney Birdsbill (Allscape Ltd.)

Second place PTDC recipients are:
• Day Cab Tandem: Sergeii Linkevych (Bison Transport Inc)
• Tandem-Tandem: Carl Gauthier (Bison Transport Inc)
• Super-B: Bruce McKechnie (Bison Transport Inc)
• Team: XPO Logistics Inc.

Third place PTDC recipients include:
• Day Cab Tandem: Sam Ha ( Core-Mark International)
• Tandem-Tandem: Cody Briggs (Jade Transport Ltd.)
• Super-B: Doug McEwen (Bison Transport Inc)
• Team: Arnold Bros. Transport Ltd.

The MTA would like to thank all sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who helped make this event a success!

Bison Transport

06/01/2026

The Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA) and Volvo Trucks Trucks Canada are proud to announce that Ted Wachna of HyLife has been named the 2026 MTA-Volvo Trucks Canada Driver of the Year for Manitoba. “Ted represents the very best of Manitoba’s trucking industry,” said Randy Fleming of Volvo Trucks Canada during the award presentation. “This award is about more than miles driven — it’s about the example you set every day, both on and off the road.”

Wachna has spent 37 years in the trucking industry and has accumulated more than 3.6 million miles with zero preventable accidents over the course of his career. In addition to his exceptional driving record, he is recognized as a mentor, trainer, and respected leader among his peers.

For more than a decade, Wachna has served as an in-cab coach, helping train and guide newer drivers entering the industry. He is also known for consistently going above and beyond his regular duties, including volunteering personal time to help maintain equipment and support fleet operations.