Sign into an existing account

Defending Local Maritimers in the Trucking Industry Crisis
The trucking shortage in the Maritimes is real, and it’s hurting the economy. But blaming the locals — the people who’ve lived, worked, and paid taxes in these provinces their whole lives — is not only wrong, it’s offensive. The truth is, local workers are being locked out of the trucking industry due to outrageous training costs, while governments and companies sponsor foreign drivers instead. That’s not a "shortage" problem. That’s a policy problem.

1. The Cost of Entry Is Absurd
Let’s start with the most basic barrier: getting a CDL (Class 1 license) in the Maritimes can cost up to $15,000. That’s more than some used trucks on the road. Most working-class locals — people trying to raise families and keep a roof over their heads — simply can’t afford that without going into deep debt. If the province or federal government genuinely wants to solve the labor crisis, why not invest in locals? Why is that money being funneled into immigration programs instead?

2. Public Money Should Serve the Public
It’s not xenophobic to point out when public money is being used in a way that excludes locals. Government programs, both federal and provincial, are subsidizing the training and relocation of foreign workers into the trucking sector — often paying 100% of the cost. Meanwhile, a 25-year-old from Miramichi or Cape Breton who wants to drive a rig is told to figure it out alone. That’s not equity. That’s an insult to the people who already call this place home.

3. Immigration Alone Is Not a Sustainable Fix
Importing drivers doesn’t solve the root problem — it just papers over it. Many foreign drivers leave for better-paying jobs in Ontario or Alberta once their contracts are up. Some move into other industries. Meanwhile, the local workforce remains untapped, undertrained, and increasingly resentful. This isn’t a path to a strong, resilient trucking economy — it’s a temporary patch job at best, and a ticking time bomb at worst.

4. Local Knowledge Matters
Trucking in the Maritimes isn’t just about holding a steering wheel. It's about navigating rural backroads in the dead of winter, knowing the ferry schedules, understanding seasonal shipping demands, and building trust with local businesses. Local drivers bring more than a license — they bring experience, culture, and community ties. Replacing them with temporary labor erodes that base and ultimately weakens the industry.

5. Invest in Local Training, Not Outsourcing
If the real goal is to fix the trucking shortage, then lower the cost of training. Provide interest-free loans or grants for Maritimers who want to drive. Create apprenticeship pathways. Partner with local trucking companies to guarantee jobs after certification. These aren’t radical ideas — they’re common sense. What’s radical is spending tens of millions on foreign labor while locals get left behind.

Conclusion
This isn’t about blaming immigrants. It’s about demanding better for the people already here. Maritimers want to work. They want to drive. They want to contribute. But the system is making it harder and harder for them to do so — while cutting them out of the solution entirely. If we’re serious about fixing the trucking crisis in the Maritimes, it’s time to stop outsourcing the problem and start investing in our own people.