The Trucking Industry: At the Heart of the Economy

The trucking industry has grown significantly in the last decade or so. The number of trucks for commercial, professional or institutional use has climbed rapidly, salaried jobs have risen, real GDP growth has increased faster than growth of the Quebec economy overall and that of the manufacturing sector—it’s enough to make the head spin. One has to wonder how long the industry will be able to keep up this pace, as the labour shortage has been plaguing this sector for many years. Moreover, the expected slowdown in the economy and global trade could throw a wrench into things. In terms of challenges, environmental issues, along with those surrounding energy savings, road congestion and public health, must be taken into account. What if the slower pace that is developing provided an opportunity to think about other ways of doing things?