The Manitoba government is strengthening driver safety, training and retention in the trucking industry by taking immediate steps to implement recommendations of a report commissioned by a joint government-industry steering committee.
“This report came about because the trucking industry is vital to Manitoba’s economy and its long-term health requires a strong, well-trained workforce that is ready to meet industry demand,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “The industry-informed report guided our government’s actions – a series of policy options to improve driver safety, training and retention – and we’d like to thank the industry committee members for their valuable insights and their continued advocacy for the sector.”
The joint steering committee, co-chaired by the province and the Manitoba Trucking Association (MTA), commissioned MNP to report on the recruitment, training and retention of professional truck drivers in Manitoba. Informed by leading practices in other jurisdictions and stakeholder insights, MNP identified over 40 policy options to strengthen the sector’s workforce relating to:
- recruitment and workforce diversity and inclusion;
- regulatory oversight of training;
- driver training accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness; and
- driver testing and standards.
“As a first action toward implementing the recommendations of the report, our government is centralizing the oversight of truck driver training through a single regulatory body to enhance both driver and public safety by improving the regulation and monitoring of training standards, testing and outcomes,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor. “Driver training schools will also benefit from streamlined administrative and regulatory processes so they can focus on providing the highest quality training possible for the industry’s next generation of workers.”
The joint steering committee will be made permanent to guide the implementation of the report’s recommendations, beginning with changes to the regulatory oversight of driver training, noted the ministers.
“This is the start of a new chapter in our industry’s long story in Manitoba,” said Aaron Dolyniuk, executive director, Manitoba Trucking Association. “Drivers are the foundation of our industry and this report recognizes that changes are needed to improve professional driver training outcomes. Streamlining regulatory oversight for driver training providers under one organization is a solid first step to ensure that professional drivers are successful. We welcome this change and look forward to continuing our work on the joint steering committee.”
The joint steering committee formed in 2022 to identify strategies for addressing the workforce challenges facing Manitoba’s trucking sector. In addition to the co-chairs, the committee includes representation from Advanced Education and Training, Manitoba Public Insurance, Transportation and Infrastructure as well as carriers.
