Trucking and logistics sector loses 30,500 jobs since February 2025
Ottawa, ON (March 23, 2026) — Recent data from Trucking HR Canada (THRC) shows that current economic conditions continue to have an impact on trucking and logistics.
Employment levels in the sector declined by 30,500 positions or 4.0 % in February 2026 compared to February 2025. Among transport truck drivers, job losses were even higher: down 5.5%.
Across all industries in Canada, employment stayed relatively stable, up 0.02% in February 2026 compared to February 2025.
“The trucking and logistics sector continues to experience labour market changes during the current economic conditions,” says Craig Faucette, THRC Chief Operating Officer. “THRC is actively supporting employers with labour market insights that inform strategic decisions, along with workforce solutions that help build a resilient, skilled workforce.”
Unemployment rates for the trucking and logistics industry rose more than in general in Canada — up from 4.8% in February 2025 to 5.2% in February 2026. For transport truck drivers, the unemployment rate jumped to 5.7% in February 2026, up 0.3 percentage points from February 2025.
More details:
- Year-over-year employment in the Canadian trucking and logistics sector declined 4.0% in February 2026, with 30,500 jobs lost compared to February 2025
- Employment of transport truck drivers fell by 18,000 jobs from February 2025 to February 2026, a decline of 5.5%
- The number of active job seekers in the trucking and logistics sector rose to 40,200 in February 2026, up 3.2% year-over-year
- In February 2026, there were 18,700 unemployed drivers actively seeking work, which was roughly the same as in February 2025
- Unemployment rates rose across the trucking and logistics sector and in the transport truck driver occupation, reaching 5.2% and 5.7% respectively
- The unemployment rate for all industries across Canada remained largely unchanged year-over-year, up slightly to 6.7% in February 2026
THRC tracks labour market data and delivers essential labour market intelligence to help decision makers tackle workforce challenges and skill gaps — ensuring Canada’s trucking and logistics sector stays competitive, resilient, and ready for the future.
See all our labour market reports.
Trucking HR Canada is the recognized national authority on workforce strategy for the trucking and logistics sector. We’re a non-profit centre of excellence, engaging with employers, governments, think tanks, industry groups, and stakeholders.
Media contact: comms@truckinghr.com
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