A new national coalition has been launched to help address workforce challenges facing Canada's transportation and supply chain industries.
The Transportation and Supply Chain Workforce Alliance (TASC) is being led by Trucking HR Canada in partnership with CIFFA - Canada's Association of Logistics Providers. The initiative is funded through Employment and Social Development Canada and is designed to create a coordinated approach to workforce development across trucking, rail, air cargo, marine, and warehousing.
The launch comes as the transportation sector faces ongoing labor shortages, an aging workforce, and growing demand for skilled workers. According to government information released alongside the announcement, Canada's transportation and warehousing sector contributed $96.5 billion directly to the country's gross domestic product in 2024 and supports nearly one million jobs.
Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, said the alliance is intended to strengthen the workforce that supports Canada's supply chains and trade network.
“Our supply chains are only as strong as the people who run them. Through this Alliance, we are bringing industry, labour and training providers together to deliver the exact skills workers need and employers are searching for. Together with our partners, we are safeguarding Canada’s trade corridors, strengthening communities and building an economy where every worker has a place,” Hajdu explained.
Trucking HR Canada is a national nonprofit organization headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Established in 1993, the organization works with industry stakeholders to support workforce development, labor market research, training, and human resources solutions for the trucking and logistics sector. Angela Splinter, President and Chief Executive Officer, Trucking HR Canada, said the organization will build on its experience developing workforce programs and labor market intelligence for the trucking sector.
“This investment is an important step toward a stronger, more coordinated workforce strategy for Canada’s transportation and supply chain system. Building on our track record of collaboration and delivery of practical, meaningful programs, we will bring industry and workforce partners together to tackle shared challenges, strengthen workforce intelligence and deliver results,” she noted. “We are proud to lead this work and help ensure Canada’s transportation workforce is ready to support the country’s evolving economic and supply chain needs.”
The alliance will bring together employers, educators, labor groups, and Indigenous partners to identify workforce priorities and develop practical solutions. Planned areas of focus include skills development, recruitment, technology adoption, workforce mobility, and improved coordination across transportation modes.
CIFFA - Canada's Association of Logistics Providers is a national industry association representing companies involved in international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and global logistics services throughout Canada. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the organization advocates on behalf of its members while supporting professional development, industry standards, regulatory engagement, and workforce initiatives across the supply chain sector.
Bruce Rodgers, Executive Director, CIFFA - Canada’s Association of Logistics Providers, said the alliance represents an opportunity for industry stakeholders to collaborate on workforce issues that affect the entire supply chain.
For more information, visit www.truckinghr.com.