Canadian sportscaster Rod Black to serve as master of ceremonies at October Awards Gala
OTTAWA, ON (August 4, 2026) — Canada’s leading trucking and logistics employers are one step closer to top honours as Trucking HR Canada (THRC) today announced the finalists for awards at the 13th annual Top Fleet Employers Awards Gala on October 14 in Toronto.
The Top Fleet Employers Awards Gala celebrates the entire 2026 roster of Top Fleet Employers. All 98 Top Fleet Employers from across Canada will be recognized for meeting the program’s rigorous standard of HR excellence before winners in each award category are revealed live.
Awards will be presented in 13 award categories, including nine Achievement of Excellence Awards and four Top Fleet Awards. The finalists achieved the highest scores in this year’s annual assessment of Top Fleet Employers.
“Every Top Fleet Employer has demonstrated leadership in creating an exceptional workplace,”said Angela Splinter, President and CEO of Trucking HR Canada. “We look forward to celebrating all 98 Top Fleet Employers and recognizing those organizations whose outstanding commitment to HR excellence has earned them a place among this year’s award winners.”
THRC is also pleased to announce that renowned Canadian broadcaster Rod Black will serve as master of ceremonies at this year’s Awards Gala. With more than 40 years of experience covering some of the country’s biggest sporting events, Black brings his signature energy, storytelling and engaging stage presence to the TFE Awards Gala stage.
The award winners will be one of these finalists in each category:
| 2026 TFE Achievement of Excellence Award finalists: | |
| NEW AWARD: Exceptional New Fleet | Cascade Carriers LP (AB) Claire’s Delivery Service Limited (ON) Seaboard Transport Group of Companies (NB) |
| Community Leadership | Erb Transport Limited (ON) JD Smith Logistics Solutions (ON) Tandet (ON) |
| HR Innovator | Arnold Bros. Transport Ltd.(MB) Polaris Transport Carriers (ON) Trimac Transportation (AB) |
| HR Leadership | Caron Transportation Systems (AB) Rosenau Transport Ltd (AB) Wellington Group of Companies (ON) |
| Inclusive Workplace | Arrow Transportation Systems Inc. (BC) Challenger Motor Freight (ON) Polaris Transport Carriers (ON) |
| Training and Skills Development | Bison Transport (MB) Caron Transportation Systems (AB) KAG Canada (AB) |
| Women in the Workplace | Brian Kurtz Trucking (ON) Joseph Haulage Canada Corp (ON) Midland Transport Ltd. (NB) |
| Workplace Culture and Engagement | Linamar Transportation Inc. (ON) Q-Line Trucking (SK) Ryder Canada (ON) |
| Workplace Wellness | C.A.T. Inc. (QC) Ontario New England Express Inc. DBA ONE For Freight (ON) Sutco Contracting LTD (BC) |
| 2026 Top Fleet Awards finalists: | |
| Top Large Fleet | Bison Transport (MB) Trimac Transportation (AB) XTL Transport Inc. (ON/QC) |
| Top Medium Fleet | Challenger Motor Freight (ON) Joseph Haulage Canada Corp (ON) Kriska Holdings Limited (ON) |
| Top Small Fleet | Lighthouse Transportation Inc. (NS) Ontario New England Express Inc. DBA ONE For Freight (ON) Classic Freight Transport (NS) |
| Top Private Fleet/Fleet Services | 4Refuel (ON) Linde Canada Inc. (ON) Olymel – Transport Transbo Inc. (QC) |
Get your ticket today – More than half of the Awards Gala tickets have already been sold. Organizations wishing to celebrate with their teams and join industry leaders from across Canada are encouraged to reserve their seats soon. Tickets are available until September 25, while supplies last.
About Top Fleet Employers program: Top Fleet Employers is not a competition; it is a national recognition program that acknowledges employers meeting a rigorous standard of HR excellence. The shortlisted fleets achieved the highest scores in their respective award categories while also demonstrating exemplary workplace practices across the comprehensive Top Fleet Employers assessment.
Applications for the 2027 Top Fleet Employers program open later this fall.
Trucking HR Canada (THRC) is the national, non-profit workforce development organization for Canada’s trucking and logistics sector. Established in 2012, THRC is the recognized authority on workforce strategy for the industry, providing labour market intelligence, workforce research, skills development initiatives, occupational standards, training resources and evidence-based human resource solutions.
Working closely with employers, industry associations, governments, educators and workforce stakeholders, THRC supports a sector that employs nearly 800,000 Canadians and plays a critical role in Canada’s supply chain.
Media contact: comms@truckinghr.com
Stay in the loop!
Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest data, updates, stories, and event announcements delivered to your inbox every week.