Canada's trucking industry reached a landmark in 2025, generating an estimated $85 billion in total revenue — a new record that underscores the sector's role as the backbone of the Canadian economy. Trucking now accounts for approximately 4.5% of Canada's GDP and moves roughly 90% of all consumer goods that travel by surface transportation. Here's a closer look at the numbers, the forces driving growth, and what 2026 holds.
The Revenue Milestone in Context
The $85 billion figure represents a 6.3% increase over 2024's estimated $80 billion and continues a growth trajectory that has been remarkably consistent despite economic headwinds. For context, the industry generated approximately $65 billion in 2019 (pre-pandemic), surged to $78 billion during the freight boom of 2022, dipped slightly during the market correction of 2023, and has since climbed steadily.
This revenue encompasses the full spectrum of for-hire and private trucking operations: long-haul truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), specialized and heavy-haul, tanker, flatbed, refrigerated, last-mile delivery, and private fleet operations. The for-hire segment accounts for roughly 60% of total revenue, with private fleets and dedicated contract carriage making up the remainder.
Key Growth Drivers
E-Commerce and Last-Mile Demand
Canadian e-commerce spending continued to grow in 2025, reaching an estimated $75 billion in online retail sales. Every package ordered online eventually rides on a truck — often multiple trucks, from distribution centre to regional hub to final-mile delivery van. The explosive growth of same-day and next-day delivery expectations has driven sustained demand for trucking capacity, particularly in urban and suburban markets.
Cross-Border Trade
Canada-U.S. trade remains the lifeblood of the Canadian trucking industry. Approximately $800 billion CAD in bilateral trade crosses the border annually, and trucks carry the vast majority of it. Despite periodic trade policy uncertainty, the sheer volume of integrated North American supply chains — automotive parts, agricultural products, energy, manufactured goods — ensures a massive base of cross-border freight demand.
Infrastructure and Construction
Federal and provincial infrastructure spending has been a significant demand driver. Major projects including transit expansions in Toronto and Montreal, highway construction in Alberta, housing development across British Columbia, and energy infrastructure in the prairies all generate heavy demand for flatbed, aggregate hauling, and specialized transport services.
Energy Sector Recovery
Alberta's energy sector has stabilized and selectively expanded, driving demand for oilfield services transport, pipe hauling, and heavy equipment moves. LNG development in British Columbia has added another layer of demand for specialized and heavy-haul carriers in the western provinces.
Fleet Expansion and Industry Composition
Canada is home to an estimated 300,000 commercial trucks operating under approximately 50,000 registered carriers. The industry remains highly fragmented — roughly 90% of carriers operate 10 or fewer trucks. However, large carriers (100+ trucks) generate a disproportionate share of total revenue, accounting for approximately 35-40% of the for-hire market.
Fleet expansion in 2025 was moderate. New Class 8 truck orders in Canada totalled approximately 30,000 units, roughly in line with replacement demand. Order backlogs have shortened compared to the pandemic-era supply chain crisis, but manufacturers still report 4-6 month lead times for popular configurations. Used truck prices have stabilized after significant depreciation in 2023-2024, providing a more accessible entry point for new carriers and owner-operators.
Regional Revenue Breakdown
Ontario — $30-32 Billion
Ontario generates the largest share of trucking revenue, driven by the GTA's role as Canada's primary distribution hub, the province's manufacturing base, and the busiest Canada-U.S. border crossings (Ambassador Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, Queenston-Lewiston). The province accounts for roughly 37% of national trucking revenue.
Quebec — $16-18 Billion
Quebec's trucking sector is anchored by Montreal's port and distribution operations, a strong manufacturing economy, and robust cross-border trade through Lacolle and other border points. The province's large, competitive carrier base keeps it a major player nationally.
Alberta — $12-14 Billion
Alberta punches above its population weight in trucking revenue, driven by energy-sector demand, agricultural hauling, and its role as a distribution gateway to British Columbia and the northern territories.
British Columbia — $10-12 Billion
BC's revenue is heavily influenced by Port of Vancouver container volumes, the province's forestry sector, and long-haul lanes to the prairies and Ontario. High operating costs (fuel, insurance, terrain) are offset by strong rates on BC outbound lanes.
Prairie Provinces and Atlantic Canada — $8-10 Billion Combined
Manitoba and Saskatchewan contribute agricultural and resource hauling, while the Atlantic provinces generate revenue from port activities (Halifax), fisheries, and regional distribution. These markets are smaller individually but collectively represent a meaningful segment of national revenue.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Despite record revenue, profitability is under significant pressure. The major cost headwinds include:
- Fuel costs: Diesel prices surging past $2.00/litre are eating into margins, particularly for carriers with weak fuel surcharge programs.
- Labour costs and shortages: Driver wages are rising 5-8% annually, and the shortage of qualified commercial drivers remains the industry's single biggest operational challenge.
- Insurance premiums: Double-digit annual increases in commercial trucking insurance are adding $5,000-15,000 per truck per year to operating costs.
- Regulatory compliance: ELD mandates, mandatory entry-level training (MELT), and evolving safety regulations add administrative and operational costs.
- Equipment costs: New Class 8 trucks now commonly exceed $200,000 CAD, and parts and maintenance costs have risen with broader inflation.
Revenue growth does not automatically translate into profit growth. Many carriers reported revenue increases in 2025 but flat or declining margins, as cost inflation consumed the additional revenue.
2026 Projections
Looking ahead, most industry analysts project Canadian trucking revenue will grow to the $88-92 billion range in 2026, representing 4-8% year-over-year growth. The key variables are:
- Fuel prices: Sustained diesel above $2.00/litre will inflate revenue figures but not necessarily margins.
- Freight rates: The rate recovery underway in 2026 supports revenue growth, particularly for carriers repricing their freight.
- Economic growth: Canada's GDP growth forecast of 1.5-2.0% provides a stable base of freight demand.
- Trade policy: Any significant disruption to Canada-U.S. trade flows (tariffs, border restrictions) would be the largest downside risk to revenue growth.
The Canadian trucking industry has never been larger by revenue, but it has also never faced a more complex operating environment. Carriers that invest in technology, manage costs aggressively, and adapt to evolving market conditions will be the ones that translate record revenue into sustainable profitability.