In its first letter to the new Prime Minister, CTA told Carney that he is presiding over a pivotal time in Canada’s history as we face a trade war with our largest trading partner, while our own economy has sputtered and inflation has skyrocketed. 

“The tariff threat from the US is exacerbated by severe domestic economic headwinds and a stagnant, unproductive economy,” wrote CTA president Stephen Laskowski. “It is evident there is much work to do to reshape and redirect the path towards achieving a brighter economic future.”

This negative economic outlook is further compounded by an “absolute state of lawlessness and a rampant underground economy,” in the trucking sector, which “is fueled by the lack of federal government enforcement of labour law violations, human trafficking and tax evasion,” Laskowski explained. 

Although the Government of Canada has been aware of this issue for a decade, there has not enough political motivation by any party, at all political levels, to seriously address the problem. 

CTA reminded the PM CRA already promised a solution to the crisis in 2022, but then backtracked and the trucking industry has been waiting for the Government of Canada to fulfill its promise ever since. 

Specifically, CTA implored the PM to direct CRA to restore the T4A system that has been “temporarily” suspended since 2011 and focus its enforcement on the Personal Services Business model, which is being widely misapplied in trucking as it relates to labour and tax filing.

“CTA hopes your fresh perspective on such matters and vision will change the government’s lack of urgency on widespread enforcement,” Laskowski wrote.  

Meanwhile, the underground economy which continues to grow unfettered in trucking is facilitated by the misclassification of truck drivers and is the largest scheme of its type in the federally regulated sector. 

“The minister responsible for labour will need to utilize all available resources to crack down on misclassification in the trucking industry,” Laskowski wrote. 

“This is a critical time in our industry and in our nation’s history. We need decisive action and leadership, and we are hoping you will provide it.” 

The CTA letter provided comment on priorities for each minister once a new cabinet is named.