The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is urging Ottawa and provincial governments to take immediate action on truck driver licensing and safety oversight following a fatal collision in Florida that has drawn sharp criticism from U.S. officials.
This week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said preliminary investigations revealed “serious red flags” in how commercial driver licences are issued by several states. Hours later, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of all visas for truck drivers entering the U.S., saying foreign drivers operating tractor-trailers pose risks to American lives and jobs.
The restrictions do not currently apply to Canadian truckers. Still, CTA said Canada risks facing similar measures unless long-standing issues in the industry are addressed. “This tragedy should serve as a wakeup call,” the Alliance said, stressing that governments must empower regulators to step up enforcement, crack down on non-compliant operators, and strengthen licensing oversight.
Concerns over the Canadian system are not new. A 2025 CBC investigation exposed widespread problems in commercial driver training, including unfair competition, sub-standard programs, and reports of bribery and forged documents used to obtain licences. The influx of unsafe and unethical fleets, CTA warned, has put legitimate carriers at a disadvantage while creating safety hazards on highways.
In July, CTA submitted a detailed safety plan to federal and provincial officials, outlining reforms to strengthen oversight and driver professionalism. Among its proposals is a Known Employer Program that would bar unscrupulous carriers from accessing immigration streams. The Alliance is also pressing for greater coordination between transport, immigration, labour, tax, and police agencies to root out abuse and restore order in the sector.
While the U.S. has acknowledged Canadian fleets as among the safest operators on American roads, CTA warned that blanket restrictions could still harm compliant carriers that form the backbone of cross-border trade. The group stressed that inaction will punish law-abiding companies and drivers while allowing rogue operators to continue exploiting workers and undermining public safety.
