A recent survey has suggested that by 2024, the Canadian trucking industry will have fewer than 48,000 long-haul truckers. This is great news for truckers as it will create an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to immigrate to Canada for this type of job.
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In addition, the Canadian trucking industry continues to face high demand and job openings for long-haul truck drivers. The Canadian government has also supported all of these developments by providing work visas to eligible foreign employees seeking work as truck drivers in the country.
Let's take a look at the prerequisites for getting a truck driver job in Canada. This will help you know what is required to get a visa sponsored truck driver job as a foreigner in Canada.
They include the following
- Truck driver jobs in Canada include permanent, full-time, overtime, weekend, day, evening, and night jobs.
- A high school diploma is preferred, but not essential for this position.
- Heavy vehicle driving experience is a plus but not essential.
- The ability to communicate in basic or functional English is necessary.
- Certificates, licenses, memberships, courses, and other credentials will be required for this job.
- It is necessary to have a valid driver's license (Class 1 or A), as well as the Air Brake Endorsement (Z).
- Types of Trucks and Equipment: Tractor, Flatbed, Refrigerated, Highway, Straight Truck (4,600kg+ or 10,000lbs+ with 3+ axles).
- Safety & Security: Basic security clearance, criminal background check, driving record check (summary), medical exam, and drug test required.
- Transportation and Travel Information: Willing to travel throughout Canada and the United States. Willing to travel during the day, evening or night, including night routes, and willing to travel for long periods of time.
- Other: Candidates must have legal permission to work in Canada and be willing to operate in a two person team to drive long distance trucks.
Required skills:
- Ability to operate and drive straight or articulated trucks for the transportation of products and supplies.
- Loading and unloading of cargo, canvases and guarantee of security and protection of the cargo
- Ability to plan your travel routes and schedules.
- You must have the ability to use atlases and other planning tools to help you plan your trip.
- Receive information and transmit it to the central dispatcher.
- The ability to drive in a convoy or as part of a two person squad.
- You must also be able to examine the condition of the vehicle and inspect the tires, lights, brakes, cold storage, and other equipment.
The best provincial programs in Canada for truck driver jobs
Here is the summary of the main programs to find a visa-sponsored truck driver job in Canada:
british columbia
British Columbia is a provincial program for truckers in Canada is
A full-time long-haul trucking job offer is the gold standard for candidates in British Columbia's entry-level and semi-skilled category, which has more than 400 job board positions. Long-distance drivers can live in the province permanently. Learn more about immigration in British Columbia by visiting their website at https://www.immigration.ca/british-columbia-immigration/.
Quebec
With 837 job postings now available, Quebec leads the way in terms of provincial opportunities for truckers. According to information from the Quebec government employment website, the job prospects for truck drivers are “excellent” with their platform.
Access the Quebec website at https://www.immigration.ca/en/quebecimmigrationprovincial.html.
ontario
In July 2019, the NOC code for haulage truck drivers (7511) was added to the Ontario Immigrant Nomination Program Skills In-Demand Stream, along with three other occupations.
It means that experienced truckers who have a job offer in Ontario can follow a defined path to permanent residence in Canada. Learn more about immigration at https://www.immigration.ca/en/ontario-immigration.html.
Alberta
Long-haul truckers are another in-demand profession in Alberta's Immigrant Candidate Program, with more than 500 open positions on the job board. Both the Alberta Opportunity Stream and the Alberta Express Entry are open to truckers.
Manitoba
Employers wishing to hire truckers in Manitoba must use the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Labor Market Impact Assessment process. The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program only allows companies to hire outside of the LMIA procedure as long as certain criteria are met, such as hiring efforts and compliance with provincial labor laws.
Visit the Manitoba immigration website at https://www.immigration.ca/en/manitoba-immigration.html to discover more.
Newfoundland and Labrador
This is a province in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Labor Market Outlook 2025 report in Newfoundland and Labrador highlights truck driving as an occupation that will require significant immigration to meet the demand for open positions. For the NLPNP Skilled Worker and Express Entry streams, trucking companies must apply to be eligible employers.
saskatchewan
For people already working in Canada with a work permit, Saskatchewan Immigration has a separate subcategory for long-haul truck drivers. The occupation also qualifies for the province's Express Entry and In-Demand Occupations categories, each of which targets certain occupations.
New Scotland
Haulage truck drivers (NOC 7511) are one of two target jobs in the Nova Scotia Nominee Program's In-Demand Occupations Stream. This provides a clear path to permanent residence for drivers.
You can expect to obtain a visa-sponsored truck driver job in Canada through this program.
Trucker wages in Canada
Truckers' hourly wages are now competitive with national and provincial averages.
According to Job Bank and Statistics Canada data, the median wage for truckers is slightly below the national average, but can rise to more than $8 above that average, at $32 per hour, in various circumstances.
Trucker wages are projected to rise as labor market demand increases in the coming years, as expected.
conclusion
If you are considering a visa sponsored truck driver job in Canada for foreigners, then you were on the right page. This article highlighted these opportunities and the various programs that offer them.