excited for 2026?

As per the title. lol who else has a bad feeling about this upcoming year? Trump... Tariffs... The economy... Will the trade barriers come down finally within Canada? What will Carney do Next?

 

I honestly believe it will get worse in Canada before things start to get better in another year so you're looking at around 18 months. The new Canadians destroyed the housing market just as they tried to destroy the Trucking Market with corruption & chaos and the signs having been showing. I spoke with a few company reps of the CTA (Canadian Trucking Alliance) and they've told me the damage of 'Driver Inc' regarding the CRA took a huge enormous toll on the economy. Remember, 1099 is the same thing in the Usa regarding the ATA (American Trucking Association) for the IRS however the Canadian economy is much smaller oppose to the America so it never reached the same levels. Plus, the amalgamation of foreign Truckers in Canada as a whole is beyond unprecedented level. The Canadian government lapsed on the corruption in Trucking for over a decade and its been pure chaos. For any Independent O/o including myself or any smaller fleet under 10 trucks with equipment payments will have an extremely difficult time when factoring inflation especially if they haven't a onsight shop mechanic etc. The Canadian Trucking Industry mainly depends on the U.s. for Exports and the flow of Imports back into Canada. Tariffs have been showing signs of this since June 2025. The choke hold on the Canadian Economy have been showing major failure rate signs. Anyone who can't see this is delusional. The Usa market has a much better chance of strengthening out quicker in 2026 however, terrible signs are now showing in the stock market because of tarriffs. The entire world works around the U.s. Economy and depending on China's resilience of the auto market.

China is flooding the world with unsold gas-engine cars | Car News | Auto123

This hits Canada harder too because of U.s. Auto manufacturers pulling out of Canada.

Canada's infrastructure for Trucking when shipping across Canada needs to be revamped quickly as its cracking and breaking apart. Ontario, Quebec and Alberta have the biggest manufacturers of export which is why lanes from these provinces still pay well over $2.50 cpm leaving. However, the exports going to the U.s. or even smaller cities and towns in Canada. Rarely have 50% of reload returns and because of these Freight market conditions market rates fall in comparison to export rates and usually LTL loads (parcial freight loads) as reloads.

 

I don’t personally think 2026 will be any better then it was in 2025 . with the tariffs wars continuing with no resolution and now the USMCA trade agreement coming up for renewal . i think 2026 could be worse yet for the country and industry unfortunately . With how crazy Trump is acting on a daily basis . i’m really starting to think it’s going to be a very rocky ride until either he’s kicked out, dies or his 4 year term comes up

The problem with him is even when you think you have a deal he goes and changes it . you can’t trust the guy

 

I wont hold my breath for 2026 to be any better than 2025.

Im not sweating it too much, though. Thanks to a handful of loyal customers, 2025 has been a good year for me. But, if I cant do in 2026 what I did in 2025, I will be catastrophically f'd on the business and personal side.

So, here's to confidently marching ahead while being mindful that it can all come crashing down at any minute.

 

Stay the course. Now is not the time to change jobs if your established. Get your debt paid off or at least down in case you take a kick to the balls. Be prepared.

 

Company I work for has been the same. Some customers where steady for almost the entire year, thank God. East coast USA too.. But definitely not like the previous year...

 

Yep... The awesome, greatest deal ever that he renegotiated. Wild...

 

Yes, now that I'm not in trucking. Even with new construction collapsing across Canada, Infrastructure Projects, Reno's, City/County Projects are booming. The Rental Industry is going absolutely CRAZY!. Companies are buying every piece of equipment they can, and expanding all their existing service shops/mobile fleets to accommodate.

As far as freight goes, its only going to get worse, yes Trump is a major factor. But lets not forget, trucking has been in the toilet since 2022. The simple fact is, Driver Inc, Under-cutters, and Companies using Illegal Drivers basically killed the industry. Combine that, with most Canadians and Americans being completely broke now, the volumes just aren't there. The crazy thing is, even as the scabby companies like Deva Jatt, Lightspeed and now VK Delivery go under. Some are still operating, doing the sketchiest #### ever! I recently seen an article, about an illegal from Brampton, who was driving a stolen truck, no Class 1, no insurance/reg/authority, fake plates, hauling loads to the US for Bison of all people. (3PL Power Only)

That's what the legitimate drivers/companies are up against, both in Canada and the US.

 

2025 was the best year I’ve had in trucking. 2026 is quite likely to be the same.

Haven’t felt the effects of a slow economy since I moved away from the general freight segments of trucking back in 2010.

 

I know of a driver that works a for a trucking company that is well diversified (bulk, flatbed, b trains, tankers, dry van) bonded carrier too.... and he made a substantial amount of money too, this year. Last we spoke, he said 320k + gross money. In contrast...... I am down about 35 k in profit gross, from last year.... sad. But the carrier i work for, only specializes in Steel and the owner doesn't give a f**** about tapping into other markets because hi's pockets are lined up.