by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Aug 17, 2025 | BLOG
I love my job! It all started 5 years ago and I haven’t looked back since. I finished my classes, passed all my exams, successfully got my Z endorsement, and finally on my first attempt, I passed my road test on August 18, 2020, obtaining my full AZ licence! None of that would have been possible for me if it wasn’t for a group of women who empower other women, supporting each other, educating one another, building all women up, cheering each other on to reach your potential, and giving opportunities to women who otherwise may not have them. We all have dreams, and those dreams become achievable for each of us when we support each other.
The day the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada awarded me a scholarship is the day they changed my life and five years later, I find myself even more thankful than I was back then. I’ve worked hard to make them proud of their decision to support and believe in me and hope I have done just that. I’m 50 years old and a mom of 4 Kids who always came first, so my dreams were put on hold. Being a mother of 4 is a very hands on job but eventually, my kids grew up, became adults, and I decided to go after something I’ve always wanted, and the Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada was right there to support me. They are a huge part of my story, having helped me to achieve my dreams, and got me to where I am today. For that, I will forever be thankful.
I acquired employment immediately after passing my road test with Contrans Tank Group. Today I work for Contrans as a local driver out of our Burford terminal, pulling liquid tankers hauling a variety of food grade products. I pull both tandem and multi-axle equipment and even pull a trailer with my picture on the side of it. I love the days I get to pull that trailer! Throughout my career, I’ve faced some challenges, as everyone does when first starting out. Some of the hardest challenges are those simply associated with being a woman in this line of work. From the beginning, it’s been nothing I’ve been too afraid of to face head on or had any issues with showing what this woman is capable of. I’ve worked hard and come a long way in a short time, earning respect with male Drivers where so many times, it’s usually given automatically. I’ve been asked, why would I want to work in a profession that is historically male dominated? Why would I want to be a trucker, that’s a man’s job? I always respond with why not? I’m quite capable regardless of our differences. If nobody questions a male in a traditionally female-dominated career, why should a woman have to explain or justify herself?
Since day 1, Contrans has welcomed me as a part of their team. My dispatchers, the mechanics, the wash bay crew, management, and my fellow Drivers have all treated me with respect, and supported me through good days and bad and I am proud to work along side each of them. Working for Contrans has given me the opportunity to continue to learn and grow, not only as a Driver but also as a person. I have a lot more self-confidence now and I’ve certainly toughened up. When I was offered the opportunity to be a trainer for new hires (something I am very proud of), I was shocked to think, “Contrans believes in me?”. I now get to spend 2 weeks on road with new hires, training them on equipment use for loading & offloading product, customer sites, yard movement, safety & emergency procedures, paperwork, and anything else they may need to have a successful career driving for Contrans Tank Group. I really enjoy this part of my job and it means a lot to me that Contrans trusts me to be one of their trainers.
I find myself sitting back and thinking, “Wow 5 years went by fast and so many things have changed for me”. The best change of all is that I don’t dread going to work anymore because I get to do something I love every day, and every day is a new adventure! Thank you to everyone at The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada for helping me achieve something I had wanted for such a long time. I do not take the opportunity you gave me for granted at all and I recognize, appreciate, and value what you have done for me. Your generous gift unlocked my success story and I will forever be thankful!
Dana Allard is a Professional Driver at Contrans Tank Group
A Message from the Women’s Trucking Federation
Dana,
We couldn’t be more proud of everything you’ve achieved over these past five years. From the moment you earned our scholarship to the day you passed your AZ road test on the first try, you’ve exemplified determination, passion, and excellence in every mile you’ve driven.
Your rapid rise from new driver to trusted trainer speaks volumes about your skill, leadership, and unwavering commitment to safety and professionalism. You’ve not only shattered stereotypes in a traditionally male field, but you’ve also become a role model for women across the industry showing what’s possible when dreams meet hard work and support.
Watching you mentor new hires, guide them through every procedure, and empower them with confidence fills us with immense pride. Your success story is exactly why we exist: to open doors, foster sisterhood, and amplify women’s voices on and off the road.
Thank you for carrying our mission with such grace and grit. We look forward to cheering you on as you continue to blaze trails, inspire others, and redefine what it means to be a woman in trucking.
In sisterhood and solidarity,
The Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada Team
Resources and Advice for Aspiring Women Drivers :
• Join a women-focused industry network for mentorship and support
• Partner with a company/trainer who believes in you and challenges you to grow
• Build confidence through continuous learning “every mile is a lesson”
Keep your dreams alive, support one another, and remember: the open road is big enough for all of us.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 30, 2025 | BLOG
On International Human Trafficking Day, we shine a light on one of Canada’s most hidden crimes labour trafficking within our trucking sector. Drivers from around the world arrive promising to work hard and build a future, only to find themselves trapped in debt bondage, unpaid overtime, and threats of deportation if they speak up.
The Scope of the Problem
In Manitoba, trucking employers hired 1,467 temporary foreign workers in 2023 a surge of nearly 1,300 percent from five years earlier while training and reporting measures for these vulnerable employees remain critically lacking.
A United Nations Human Rights Council report highlights how Canada’s LMIA process can be exploited by recruiters, training schools, temp agencies, and carriers working in concert. Drivers often incur debts of $40,000–$80,000 in recruitment fees and then endure sub-legal wages and withheld pay to service that debt.
How You Can Help
– Educate your drivers and dispatchers on the red flags: isolation from peers, withheld passports or work documents, unexplained debt and contract changes, and threats of deportation.
– Partner with organizations like Know Human Trafficking, Crime Stoppers and local law enforcement to install posters and helpline information at terminals, rest stops, and training schools.
– Encourage all drivers and dispatchers to complete free training through Know Human Trafficking to recognize and respond to labour trafficking indicators.
– Advocate for stricter enforcement of labour standards by urging provincial authorities to suspend carriers found guilty of wage theft, worker misclassification, or trafficking offences.
Resources & Reporting
– Call the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-833-900-1010
– Contact your provincial employment standards branch to report wage theft or forced labour
– Reach out to Know Human Trafficking for support and training materials
Together, we can ensure every individual on Canada’s roads works under fair conditions with dignity, legal protections, and the freedom they deserve.
Top 5 Signs of Labour Trafficking in the Trucking Industry in Canada
1. Confiscation or withholding of identification documents
Victims are often forced to hand over passports, driver’s licences or work permits, with employers claiming they “need” them for processing or to ensure compliance. This tactic leaves workers without proof of legal status and makes it nearly impossible to leave or seek help.
2. Excessive recruitment fees or deceptive job offers
Labour traffickers advertise trucking jobs that promise high pay, then require migrants to pay thousands sometimes tens of thousands of dollars in recruitment or “head tax” fees. Such offers turn out to be bait-and-switch schemes, leaving workers indebted and trapped in exploitative contracts.
3. Threats of deportation, retaliation or reporting to authorities
Employers exploit the precarious immigration status of temporary foreign workers by threatening to report them to immigration or police if they complain, attempt to leave or demand fair treatment. Fear of losing their right to remain in Canada silences many victims.
4. Wage theft, withheld pay or unpaid overtime
Common tactics include withholding paychecks, underpaying hourly rates, refusing overtime compensation and imposing arbitrary fines for minor infractions. Workers discover they’re earning far less than agreed, but risk reprisal if they challenge the abuse.
5. Unreasonable work hours, unsafe conditions and isolation
Trafficked drivers often endure excessive hours behind the wheel without mandated breaks, live in company-controlled accommodations with poor hygiene or safety standards, and have little to no contact with the outside world. These conditions endanger both their physical health and legal well-being.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 27, 2025 | BLOG
Ontario’s Roadway Crisis: Summer 2025 Wake-Up Call
Ontario’s roads have claimed too many lives this summer. Across the province, a recent two-week surge of deadly collisions, motorcycle tragedies, head-on crashes on our busiest highways, and at-fault truck incidents paints a grim and urgent picture.
You never know whose life you’ll change with a single glance. Last summer, paramedic Alisha raced against the clock to save a motorcyclist pinned beneath a pickup truck. She arrived to find him conscious but slipping fast every second mattered. Stories like this unfold on our highways daily, reminding us that speed, distraction, or one missed look can shatter families in an instant.
It’s time for a new kind of road pact one where each of us pledges to act before the crash happens. When you commit to that extra “second look,” you’re more than a driver; you’re someone’s guardian angel.
Fatalities by the Numbers
In 2023, Ontario recorded 812 road-user fatalities, a 6 % rise over 2022.
- Pedestrians accounted for 35 % of those losses.
- Bicyclists and motorcyclists made up 18 %.
- Impaired-driving collisions rose by 4 %.
- Speed-related crashes climbed by 7 %.
What’s Driving the Carnage?
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Impairment from alcohol, cannabis, or prescription drugs
- Distracted driving: phones, navigation, in-car tech
- Rider inexperience and fatigue
When these factors converge, the outcomes are catastrophic.
Two-Week Surge: July 11–24, 2025
- July 16: Head-on collision on Highway 7 near Pickering 3 killed, 2 critically injured
- July 11–19: Five separate motorcycle crashes across Kawartha Lakes, Thunder Bay, Niagara, London, and Leamington multiple fatalities and critical airlifts
- OPP officer struck by a fleeing vehicle during an impaired driving stop
- Deadly collisions on rural backroads and 400-series routes alike
Take the Pledge
Share this pledge with family, friends, and colleagues. Use #DriveLikeTheyMatter
Before every trip, I will:
- Obey posted speed limits
- Designate a sober driver or choose alternate transportation
- Stow my phone until I’m parked
- Give large trucks ample space
- Always take a second look for motorcycles and pedestrians
- Check blind spots and intersections before turning
I’m asking you to see these roads not as endless asphalt, but as mirrors of our choices every time we drive. When we pair sobering statistics with real stories and commit to simple, lifesaving actions we can stop these heartbreaking losses. Please share this message: someone’s life may depend on it.
Resources:
Photo Credit :
At the Scene Photography
https://atthescene.wixsite.com/atthescene
Email: atthescenephoto@gmail.com
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jul 22, 2025 | BLOG
A Blueprint for a Barrier Free Future in Canadian Trucking
By Shelley Walker, CEO, Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada
A Historic Gathering for Canada’s Trucking Industry
Last week, WTFC took part in a landmark meeting hosted by Transport Canada, where leaders from across the country united to tackle internal trade barriers and boost productivity industry wide. Canada’s trucking industry drives our economy, yet fragmented licensing systems, inconsistent training standards, and overlooked safety gaps continue to stall progress. To address these challenges, WTFC is championing sweeping reforms anchored by a National Trucking Credential and guided by a gender informed approach to strengthen supply chains, enhance safety, and open career pathways for all drivers.
1. Harmonized Entry Level Training
A single, 220 hour minimum curriculum will eliminate provincial and territorial cross border delays and safety risks. Key elements:
- Core driving competencies and theory based learning.
- Eight hour labour trafficking response module.
- Mandatory Canadian Language Benchmark Level 6.
- Targeted bursaries for women, Indigenous peoples, and recent immigrants.
2. Centralized Safety Rating and Monitoring
Transparency and accountability hinge on unified data and standards:
- Real time, national NSC database.
- One audit protocol enforced coast to coast.
- Publicly accessible carrier safety ratings.
3. Consistent Rest Area Infrastructure
Drivers need safe, reliable stops to manage fatigue and comply with hours of service rules:
- National minimum standards for spacing, lighting, and security.
- Certified alternative parking and rest locations.
- Pan Canadian mobile app displaying real time availability.
4. Uniform Road Standards and Maintenance
Seasonal extremes and uneven construction create bottlenecks:
- Coast to coast pavement and lane marking guidelines.
- Harmonized winter maintenance thresholds and response times.
5. Streamlined Oversize/Overweight Permitting
A single permit process will cut red tape and speed freight movement:
- One OS/OW application accepted nationwide.
- Standardized signage and daylight definitions.
- Codified regulation replacing temporary MOUs.
6. Expanded Weight Allowance Configurations
Avoid costly equipment swaps by broadening approved axle and weight combinations:
- Joint federal provincial review of vehicle configurations.
- Permanent regulatory updates replacing narrow MOUs.
7. Full ELD Mandate Enforcement
Consistent fatigue management depends on universal electronic logging device adoption:
- Mandatory ELD compliance in every province and territory.
- Shared national dashboard for real time monitoring.
8. National Trucking Credential and Labour Mobility
Replacing thirteen licences with one digital “Safety Passport” will unlock coast to coast workforce mobility:
- 220 hour curriculum, challenge exams, and secure blockchain credentials.
- Subsidies to lower financial barriers for trainees.
- Real time verification for recruiters and regulators.
9. Stronger Protections for Temporary Foreign Workers
Ensuring fair treatment and competitive equity:
- Approved Employer Program with rigorous pre-vetting.
- Aligned oversight standards to prevent abuse.
- Mandatory gender based risk assessments.
10. Tackling Hidden Internal Trade Barriers
Beyond licensing and training, we need a full audit of:
- Fuel tax and carbon levy rebate delays.
- Insurance proof of coverage inconsistencies.
- Tolling, weigh station fees, and municipal idling/parking bylaws.
- Duplicative environmental reviews for infrastructure projects.
Embedding a Gender Informed Lens
A modern trucking workforce thrives when women’s needs are front and centre:
- Well lit, lockable rest area washrooms and emergency call stations.
- Confidential, harassment reporting systems.
- Childcare rebates for long haul assignments.
- Harmonized family leave benefits and pregnancy protections.
- Mentorship, leadership, and work life balance modules in the NTC.
- Annual, gender disaggregated data collection on training, employment, and safety.
Call to Action
The WTFC urges federal, provincial, and territorial leaders to:
- Approve funding for curriculum development, bursaries, and digital platforms.
- Pilot the National Trucking Credential and pan-Canadian apps in three jurisdictions.
- Harmonize regulations and enforcement protocols by 2026.
- Commit to transparent, quarterly reporting on safety, mobility, and workforce diversity.
Together, we can build a safer, more efficient, and fully inclusive trucking industry, one unified credential and one gender informed policy at a time.
by wtfcanada2015@gmail.com | Jun 16, 2025 | BLOG
For many women, stepping into the trucking industry can feel daunting. It’s a space where strength, skill, and determination are key—and where tradition has often dictated that men take the wheel. But barriers are made to be broken.
One woman recently defied expectations and earned her DZ license, proving that passion and perseverance make all the difference. She trained at Modern Training, a school where support and encouragement are the foundation of success. Their instructors go beyond technical lessons, offering guidance, pep talks, and motivation on test day.
“Stan was, to put it mildly, awesome! The other instructors, Kevin and Moe, were super nice and encouraging as well. They made a huge effort to get me ready for test day .”
Like many women entering a male-dominated field, she faced doubts—especially about mastering manual transmission. But her instructor, Stan, gave her game-changing advice:
“He told me my primary goal should be to get the license first—manual skills can come later. That advice was invaluable, as there was so much other information I needed to cement in my head before test day.”
Even after earning her license, she couldn’t shake the worry—would a company give her a chance if her manual skills weren’t perfect? That’s when Shelley Walker, CEO Women’s Trucking Federation of Canada , reminded her of something powerful:
“Just go for it! Don’t worry about whether you’re good enough. We are often our own worst critics.”
Those words stuck. Women belong in every industry, including trucking, and sometimes all it takes is a leap of faith.
Now that she’s passed, she’s aiming high, with a vision of joining a cement company and building a fulfilling career in a hands-on industry. She’s already taking steps to set herself apart, reaching out to Concrete Ontario to enroll in their Concrete Delivery Specialist program—proof of her commitment to excelling in the field.
Yet, like many women breaking into trucking, she acknowledges the challenges ahead:
“I still have some insecurities, but hopefully in time my confidence will grow, and I will fit right in with the rest of them.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that women belong in every industry—including those traditionally reserved for men. Whether behind the wheel of a cement truck or navigating new career paths, women are proving every day that they are capable, resilient, and unstoppable.
If you’ve ever thought about earning your DZ license, know that the road is yours to take. With the right support, determination, and a touch of courage, you can drive toward your own success story.
Ready to start your journey? Modern Training might be the perfect place to begin!
