The federal government will provide $500,000 to help trucking companies identify and remove barriers that prevent women, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities and visible minorities from working in the industry, according to Employment and Social Development Canada.
Minister Patty Hajdu announced the funding during National Trucking Week for a project led by Trucking HR Canada. The initiative falls under the government’s Workplace Opportunities: Removing Barriers to Equity program, which provides $3 million annually for similar projects.
“Today’s funding will support employers in identifying and addressing barriers that limit access to opportunities for under-represented groups in the industry,” said Hajdu, who serves as Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario.
Project scope and timeline
Over the next year, Trucking HR Canada will examine how human resources practices and workplace systems in trucking support or limit diversity efforts, according to the announcement. The organization will also work to improve how companies collect and report workforce data.
The government expects these initiatives to create more employment opportunities for under-represented groups in Canada’s trucking sector. Angela Splinter, CEO of Trucking HR Canada, said the organization is “proud to partner with the Government of Canada in helping our employers with employment equity reporting and in building inclusive work environments where everyone can thrive.”
Industry context
According to government data, employees in road transportation who cross provincial or international borders fall under federal jurisdiction and represent about 17 per cent of the federally regulated private-sector workforce.
Secretary of State for Labour John Zerucelli said the project helps ensure “Canada’s trucking industry is on top of its game by leaving no one behind.” The government describes Trucking HR Canada as a national non-profit organization that works on human resource solutions for Canada’s freight transportation network.
Regulatory background
The WORBE program targets employers subject to the Employment Equity Act and aims to improve representation of designated groups in areas where they are under-represented, according to the government. The program works through partnerships and industry-specific projects.
The government has also been investigating employee misclassification in road transportation, where truck drivers are incorrectly treated as independent contractors rather than employees, according to the announcement.
