CTA calls on drivers to help in Driver Inc. fight

The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is calling on those who work behind the wheel to help raise concerns about Driver Inc. – a business model that misclassifies employees as independent contractors.

“Your voice is needed to ensure this commitment is solidified in the upcoming budget announcement and that Ottawa takes real action,” CTA said in a bulletin issued March 17. “As a responsible and compliant truck driver or true owner-operator, companies that misclassify their drivers and avoid paying their fair share only hurts you and all other taxpayers.

The association has established an automated email at www.stopdriverinc.ca that truck drivers can use to send shared concerns to their MP, prime minister, and other key ministers.

Parliament buildings
(Photo: istock)

“To date, the federal government has fallen short on its promises to end the Driver Inc. scheme since promising to do so five years ago,” the form letter notes. “As a compliant and responsible carrier, not to mention a proud Canadian SME, I expect the federal government to take immediate action to protect drivers’ rights supply chains, and drive Canada’s economic recovery.”

The letter calls on Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to expand a pilot enforcement program across Canada, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to increase enforcement, and Finance Canada and CRA to work together to close Driver Inc. tax loopholes.

“Make clear that companies that participate in the Driver Inc. scheme are tax cheats,” it adds.


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    • I’ve been driving for decades and would like to know exactly how this benefits truckers?? All I see is obviously inexperienced drivers operating recklessly through Northern Ontario and elsewhere. All because most are being taken advantage of by “unscrupulous companies” who are just passing on the liability and maintenance costs of their equipment to relatively new drivers who just want to work. Not to mention tight deadlines and appointments. We all know who these companies are. At every opportunity I try to discuss this with these drivers and invite them to apply at responsible carriers. I realize this is a simplistic view, but it’s all I can do and would recommend every other responsible driver/carrier do the same.

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  • Many people think that this is simple. The firms who blatantly run these scams are now empowered by high price lawyers. Coupled with a new truck association whose members are responsible for the bulk of the income tax avoidance, the government has to tread carefully . The various transportation ministries must also start pulling running rights. Alas, with 10 wildly different provinces and territories who care very little about this file, we’ll have to find another way to stop the abuse of the new drivers.

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