The Bloc Québécois held a press conference yesterday morning in the foyer of the House of Commons in Ottawa to highlight abusive practices within the trucking industry.
At the initiative of MP Xavier Barsalou-Duval, the party unveiled ten proposals aimed at better protecting truck drivers, combating the “Driver Inc.” scheme, and restoring fair competition across the sector.
“Trans-West pays over $5 million a year in fringe benefits that support our hospitals and schools — we are a legitimate business. We can no longer compete with companies that don’t follow our tax rules and don’t play by the same standards. I urge other carriers to denounce this scheme,” said Réal Gagnon, President of Trans-West, a long-haul refrigerated transport company founded in 1988, that has repeatedly been recognized for its high standards of compliance and safety.
The event brought together several influential voices in the transportation community, including Marc Cadieux, President and CEO of the Association du camionnage du Québec (ACQ), and Jean-Claude Daigneault, President of the Fraternité des constables de contrôle routier du Québec.
Executives from major trucking firms such as Trans-West, Transport Grayson, Transport Hervé Lemieux, DFS, and Groupe Guilbault were also present to denounce the unfair and unsafe practices plaguing the industry.
Ten concrete proposals
The Bloc’s plan includes:
- An official inquiry into driver exploitation in the trucking sector.
- A ban on hiring temporary foreign workers as incorporated drivers (they must be employees).
- Automatic joint audits (ESDC + CRA) to target shell companies.
- Holding contractors accountable for unpaid taxes and contributions.
- A shared national database including infractions, safety ratings, and unpaid fines.
- A Canada-wide insurance registry accessible to inspectors and police.
- A public registry of non-compliant companies, with penalties such as loss of certifications and ineligibility for government contracts or TFW hiring.
- A certification program for employers authorized to hire temporary foreign workers.
- Amendments to the Hours of Service regulation giving inspectors the power to place vehicles out of service if the driver’s license does not match the ELD.
- Mandatory T4A forms for companies operating without employees.
Mounting pressure on Ottawa
According to the Bloc, the rapid rise of employee-free trucking companies, tax evasion, and the exploitation of foreign drivers are undermining road safety and hurting compliant carriers. The party is urging the federal government to act swiftly and tighten enforcement.
“This is the first major crisis where we’re losing clients every month or being forced to lower our rates. Truck driving used to be an honorable profession — back in my grandfather’s time, in 1929, it was respected. But today, many drivers feel ashamed. Now, my drivers are afraid to even hit the road because safety no longer exists. We need to take back control,” said Éric Gignac, President of Groupe Guilbault, which has operated for 90 years and covers over 40 million kilometers annually.
“We’re probably the only industry in Canada where wages are going down because of unfair competition and the Driver Inc. scheme. Our truck drivers are people who pay their taxes and work endless hours every week. Mr. Carney, do something!” exclaimed Yvan Domingue of Transport Grayson, based in Danville, Québec.
Behind the numbers and regulatory gaps are real truckers facing unstable working conditions. For the Bloc Québécois, these reforms are not merely technical — they are meant to restore dignity to the profession and ensure a level playing field in a sector vital to the Canadian economy.
Are you a transportation company executive who wants to show your support for the Bloc Québécois initiative? Make your voice heard. This is no longer about politics or choosing a party — it’s about denouncing serious practices and supporting anyone or any group willing to make a real difference in our industry and on our roads.
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