OTTAWA, ON (October 14, 2026) — Trucking HR Canada (THRC) celebrated the employers raising the bar for workplace excellence in Canada’s trucking and logistics sector tonight, honouring 98 Top Fleet Employers (TFE) and unveiling this year’s special award winners at its annual Awards Gala in Toronto.
The Top Fleet Employers Awards Gala recognized all 98 fleets from across Canada on the 2026 TFE roster for meeting the program’s rigorous standard of HR excellence before winners in each award category were revealed, as well as the coveted HR Leader of the Year and the first-ever Samsara-THRC TFE Scholarship winners.
“Every Top Fleet Employer has earned this recognition by putting people at the centre of their business,” said Angela Splinter, President and CEO of Trucking HR Canada. “Tonight, we celebrate all 98 fleets for their leadership in building strong workplaces and honour this year’s award winners for setting an outstanding example for our sector.”
This is the 13th year THRC has recognized the best places to work in trucking and logistics in Canada and recognizing excellence in human resource practices in the sector.
THRC recognizes four fleets each year as best in their class. This year’s Top Fleet award winners are:
Top Large Fleet: Bison Transport (MB)
Top Medium Fleet: Kriska Holdings Limited (ON)
Top Small Fleet: Lighthouse Transportation Inc. (NS)
Top Private/Fleet Services: Linde Canada Inc. (ON)
Nine organizations were recognized for leadership in specific HR categories with Achievement of Excellence Awards:
Community Leadership: Tandet (ON)
Exceptional New Fleet: Seaboard Transport Group of Companies (NS)
HR Innovator: Arnold Bros. Transport Ltd. (MB)
HR Leadership: Wellington Group of Companies (ON)
Inclusive Workplace: Polaris Transport Carriers (ON)
Training & Skills Development: KAG Canada (AB)
Women in the Workplace: Joseph Haulage Canada Corp (ON)
Workplace Culture & Engagement: Ryder Canada (ON)
Workplace Wellness: Sutco Contracting LTD (BC)
In a special presentation, Lynne Harkness, Vice President People and Culture with 4Refuel was recognized as HR Leader of the Year. This award celebrates a human resource professional who exemplifies human resources practices within their organization and is a role model to others. Harkness’s colleagues highlighted her strategic leadership, integrated approach to retention, and transformative and measurable improvement to the employee experience as some of the reasons for her nomination.
Past HR Leader of the Year recipients: Stephen Fletcher, Chief Human Resources Officer, Canada Cartage (2025); Colleen Tesarski, Steve’s Livestock Transport (2024); Dave Dietrich, The Erb Group (2023); Stacey Miller, RST Sunbury Transport (2022); Heather Mewhinney, Kriska Holdings Ltd. (2021); Rosana Preston, Rosedale Transport (2020); Denise McJannet, Caron Transportation Systems (2019); Geoff Topping, Challenger Motor Freight (2018); Brenda Cuthbert, Siemens Transportation Group Inc. (2017); and Ken Cross, SLH Transport Inc. (2016).
Employers that reached the 10-year TFE milestone were also recognized: Carmen Transportation (ON), Groupe Guilbault Ltée (QC), JD Smith Logistics Solutions (ON), National Shunt Services Ltd. (ON), One For Freight (ON), Onfreight Logistics (ON), Payne Transportation Ltd. (MB), Rosenau Transport Ltd; a GLS Canada Company (AB), Woodcock Transportation Group (ON), and XTL Transport Inc. (ON).
The TFE program is a national initiative that recognizes the significance of exemplary HR policies and practices in trucking and logistics. TFE is not a competition – each fleets HR practices and initiatives are evaluated to ensure they meet a rigorous standard in multiple criteria. Feedback is also collected from employees, including drivers.
Trucking HR Canada encourages applications from fleets across Canada. Applications for the 2027 TFE program are now open.
See the full list of 2026 TFEs.
Watch the HR Leader of the Year video.
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
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