As winter approaches and road conditions become more treacherous, l’Association du Camionnage du Québec (ACQ) is making an urgent plea to the government to address the growing issue of incorporated drivers, known as “Driver Inc.”
These workers, often undertrained and overexploited, pose significant risks to road safety while undermining the competitiveness of compliant businesses.
Concerns from Drivers and Carriers
A recent survey conducted by the ACQ among 48 member carriers—representing 16,145 employees and operating 9,846 heavy vehicles—revealed alarming data:
- 85% of companies report their drivers feel unsafe on the road.
- Reckless driving (60%) and poorly maintained vehicles (23%) are among the top concerns.
- 46% of respondents urge Contrôle Routier Québec (CRQ) to increase inspections of licenses, insurance, and vehicle maintenance.
According to the ACQ, incorporated drivers often operate with invalid documents, poorly maintained vehicles, and engage in questionable practices such as abandoning vehicles after accidents or sharing trucks among multiple drivers to bypass regulations.
An Economic Threat to the Industry
Beyond safety issues, the “Driver Inc.” phenomenon is causing substantial financial losses for compliant carriers:
- 79% of surveyed companies report an average revenue loss of 13.8% due to unfair competition, with some losses reaching as high as 20%.
- 37% of companies have resorted to layoffs, and 67% are considering workforce reductions if the situation continues, with some planning cuts as early as 2025.
These employers avoid payroll deductions and tax obligations, enabling illegal reductions in operating costs that undermine fair competition.
The Critical Role of CRQ
The ACQ emphasizes that CRQ must play a central role in resolving this crisis. However, current resources are insufficient to produce tangible results. The ACQ suggests:
- Stricter enforcement of license, insurance, and maintenance requirements.
- Increased inspections at weigh stations to identify non-compliant vehicles.
- Sending a clear message to shippers to rebuild trust in legitimate carriers.
A Call to Action for the Government
For over 12 years, the ACQ has been urging the government to address this scheme, which has reportedly cost $2 billion in lost tax revenue. Despite more than 50 meetings with provincial and federal ministries, no concrete measures have been implemented.
The ACQ is calling on the Quebec government to allocate more resources to CRQ to remove incorporated drivers from the roads. It also demands a public stance from both Quebec and Ottawa on this critical issue, which impacts not only the trucking industry but also the safety of all road users.
A Matter of Safety, Economy, and Social Justice
This issue, sitting at the crossroads of safety, economic fairness, and social justice, demands a decisive and immediate response from the government.
