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FPAC: Report highlights need to resolve truck driver shortage for forestry

A new report by Trucking HR Canada addressing the truck driver labour shortage has prompted a response from the Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC).

The Road Ahead: Addressing Canada’s Trucking and Logistics Industry Labour Shortage provides a comprehensive look at the challenges facing the trucking and logistics workforce in Canada.

According to the report, Canada is currently experiencing a shortage of more than 20,000 truck drivers, which cost almost $3.1 billion in lost revenue in 2018. Among the reasons cited: a lack of female drivers, a high turnover and a retiring workforce.

FPAC expresses support

FPAC’s members ship at least half of their product volume via truck. “We support Trucking HR Canada’s work toward a fundamental understanding of the dynamics affecting this portion of the supply chain,” the association says in a statement.

“Without strong empirical knowledge of Canada’s labour pool and relevant demographic trends, no meaningful progress can be made toward improving the situation for truck drivers and other industry personnel – as well as the Canadian shippers and customers in Canada and around the world who depend on them.”

FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor points out the importance of the trucking industry to forestry.

“Transportation costs can account for up to one-third of a forest products company’s total production costs,” he says. “Efficient and reliable trucking services are essential to our business so it’s important that challenges in Canada’s trucking and logistics industry are well understood and addressed.”