Canadian Trucking Feels Fuel Crunch

Canadian truckers, like their U.S. counterparts, are continuing to feel the squeeze of higher fuel prices.

piking fuel prices are threatening “the livelihood of hundreds of independent owner-operators and the commercial viability of countless motor carriers,” said David Bradley, chief executive office of the Canadian Trucking Alliance. The high costs are beginning to have a significant effect on the Canadian economy, he said.

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Trucking is important to Canada because “over 90% of all consumer products and foodstuffs, and over 70% of Canada’s trade with the United States — representing about 40% of the country’s GDP [gross domestic product] — move by truck,” Bradley said.

Statistics Canada’s latest figures show that fuel prices, including diesel, have risen 31.3% in the past year, the highest rate of increase since 1981. A 3.1% increase was registered in February alone.



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