Did you know that Canada needs truck drivers? In order to meet the demand, the Canadian government has developed a number of immigration and work permit programs designed to help eligible applicants work in Canada as a truck driver. If you’re interested, it’s important to know where your services are most needed, so we’ve outlined the top five Canadian provinces where you can find work as a truck driver.
Where Are Truck Drivers Most In Demand?
While truck drivers are needed across Canada, the following provinces have the highest demand.
1. Saskatchewan
There is a high demand for truck drivers in Saskatchewan, especially long-haul truck drivers. To meet this great need, an immigration program known as the Long-Haul Truck Driver Project was started. This is part of Saskatchewan’s Provincial Nominee Experience category.
The aim of the project is to get trucking firms to recruit long-haul truck drivers to work in Canada on a Temporary Foreign Permit.
How much do truck drivers earn here? The average yearly salary for a truck driver in Saskatchewan is $55,370. Entry level workers can expect to earn around $40,782 per year and more experienced workers can earn up to $67,538 per year.
2. British Columbia (BC)
Up next is British Columbia. There are various different types of truck driver jobs available in British Columbia. These include:
- long-haul truck drivers
- logging truck drivers
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The salary you can expect to earn will depend on the type of trucking job you’re doing. However, generally the average salary for a truck driver in B.C. is $54,821. The highest you can expect to earn here is $75,591 per year and the lowest is $39,758 per year. This will usually depend on how much experience you have.
3. Nova Scotia
In third place is Nova Scotia. Trucking jobs available here include:
- delivery truck drivers
- long-haul truck drivers
- ready-mix (cement mixer) truck drivers
- heavy truck drivers and dumpster truck drivers among others.
The average salary for a truck driver in Nova Scotia is $54,456 per year. Entry level workers can expect to earn around $40,164 per year, while most experienced drivers can expect to earn approximately $66,386 annually.
4. Alberta
Alberta also has a high demand for truck drivers. Positions available here include:
- long-haul truck drivers
- pilot truck drivers
- heavy truck drivers
- gravel truck drivers among many more.
How much can you expect to earn in Alberta? The average annual truck driver salary in Alberta is $59,910. Entry level drivers can expect to earn around $44,248 per year while most experienced drivers here can earn up to $72,954 per year.
5. Ontario
The vast amount of trucking jobs available in the province of Ontario include:
- medical device delivery
- solid waste truck driver
- yard truck driver
- box truck driver
The average truck driver salary in Ontario is $60,472 per year. Entry level drivers can expect to earn around $44,601 per year while most experienced drivers here can earn up to $73,700.
Now that you know which Canadian provinces are most in need of truck drivers, the next question is, “how do you get there?” If you want to work in Canada as a truck driver, you will need a Canada work permit, or permanent residency status. This depends on you and whether you want to settle in Canada or simply gain some working experience in the country.
We’ve got you covered, whichever way you choose to go.
Canada Immigration Programs
There are over 80 Canada immigration programs available. However, to make things simpler, we’ve outlined some of the most suitable options to apply through if you wish to immigrate to Canada as a truck driver.
Provincial Nominee Program
Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows skilled workers to live and work in one of the 11 participating provinces and territories in Canada if you’re able to help meet the province’s labour needs.
The PNP is a great pathway to immigrate through if you wish to work in Canada as a truck driver. Why? Because we now know that truck drivers are in demand in several Canadian provinces, you’re likely to stand a good chance of success if you apply through a PNP.
Canada’s 11 Provincial Nominee Programs are as follows:
- Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP)
- British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
- Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP)
- New Brunswick Provincial Nominee Program (NW PNP)
- Newfoundland & Labrador Provincial Nominee Program (NL PNP)
- Northwest Territories Nominee Program (NTNP)
- Nova Scotia Provincial Nominee Program (NS PNP)
- Ontario Provincial Nominee Program (OINP)
- Prince Edward Island Provincial Nominee Program (PEI PNP)
- Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Yukon Nominee Program (YNP)
Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program is designed for skilled workers who are seeking permanent residence in one of Canada’s four Atlantic provinces, namely, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
There are three programs within the Atlantic Immigration program, namely:
- Atlantic International Graduate Program
- Atlantic High-Skilled Program
- Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
If you’re planning to work as a truck driver, the appropriate program for you would be the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program
Here are the requirements you need to meet to apply for the Atlantic Intermediate-Skilled Program:
- Have at least 1 year’s experience working in a position that requires a high school education or on-the-job training
- You must have a high school diploma equal to a Canadian credential
- To prove this, you will need to take an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
- You’ll need to take an approved language test to prove that you are proficient enough in English or French to work and live in Canada
- You need to provide proof of funds that meet the minimum required amount to support yourself and your dependents, whether they are accompanying you in Canada or not
Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP)
Another program that helps Canada meet its labour needs is the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). Temporary workers also support the success and growth of many industries, such as agriculture, transport, healthcare and technology.
How to apply through the TFWP
To be eligible to apply through the TFWP, you need to check that you meet the requirements.
The requirements include the following:
- Valid job offer letter
- Proof that you meet the requirements of the job offer
- Copy of a positive LMIA or LMIA number
- Proof of your English or French language abilities via test results
- Valid passport
- Proof that you will be able to financially support yourself and any accompanying family members during your stay, and be able to return home
If your application is successful, you’ll be able to receive your Canada work permit.