Any UK truckers here that moved to Canada?

Right on, Moosomin is the one, . Too bad Climax isn't wasn't mentioned.

 

Trucker 411: New Zealand owner-operator lives his American trucking dream

This one came over in 2004. Does that help??

 

You'll probably have more luck finding Brits in Canada here:
The TruckNet UK Drivers RoundTable • View forum - EX-PAT BRITISH TRUCKERS (INTERACTIVE)

When I lived in Canada there were lots of Brits driving there, each company I was, had more Brits than other European
The last company I worked for in Canada was Watt & Stewart Commodities in Claresholm Alberta, Flatbed.
Watt & Stewart - Over Dimension Haulers
Lots of Brits there. Not sure if they still hire from overseas.

 

Curious to know if you have a plan for vehicle and/or lodging.
Rent a car, buy a car, apartment, B&B's, motels, hotels, hostels, just wing it and wander around, see where you wind up?

I don't think theres more than a few feet of pavement I haven't driven on the prairie provinces and 4 or 5 towns that I haven't driven through, delivered to or partied in when I was a younger man.
(maybe a little exaggerated, but not by much)

I can give you a few tips concerning............(old age brain fart, searching for words).............., regional flavours, attitudes, cultures, the arts, music scenes, culinary concerns and preferences, type of geography, scenery, amenities, conveniences, other personal plusses and minuses that may be on your list of yay's and nay's.

Perhaps you're an avid adventurer, woodsman, fisherman, off road cyclist, musician, other?
(all of the above for me)

 

You have your act together.
From the airport you're only a mile or two from the majority of the trucking companies in the city and within walking distance of Bison.
Not suggesting you go there, it's just really close to the airport.

If you arrive before the snow fly's It would probably be just as easy, (maybe easier), to explore that area on a bicycle from your hotel and avoid traffic by using the side streets.

This area is where most of the trucking companies in Wpg are, from Omand's Creek to North Inkster industrial areas, not all but the majority.
Google Maps
Zoom out a bit, you could walk there in about half an hour from the airport.
(why do I think you already know this)

 

Hi 00Gambit,
I'm a Brit living in Alberta Western Canada. I've been in trucking for over 40 years. I came over with the family in 2008. I came over on a Temporary Foreign Workers permit and drove Long Haul Canada and US for Kindersley/Seimens Group. Before you book into a training school for a Canadian Class 1/AZ licence I would recommend you contact some of the bigger transport companies and tell them you want to come to drive and live in Canada. They have been actively recruiting English speaking drivers for at least 15 years. They may put you through and pay for all the training. The Canadian Government state that Canada is about 25,000 truck drivers short of what is needed. That is not to say there isn't enough Class 1/AZ licence holders because there are thousands of people with the correct licence, they just don't want to drive truck. A lot of the reason for this is because of the way long haul drivers are treated. One thing that i found very different was that most long haul truck drivers get paid by the mile currently about 0.50 cents give or take. If you are dispatched on a 2,000 kilometer trip, it sounds good. Problem I found that being able to keep the truck moving and earning was next to impossible. A lot of companies are not very good at this . For instance, I had a trip from Edmonton, Alberta to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, to Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Salt Lake Utah. Good trip, a lot of kilometers. Then I sat in Salt Lake waiting for a return load to Canada for two days with no pay. I would be away from home for about 3 weeks at a time. You have to be really knowledgeable on what the regulations for commercial transport are because a lot of Dispatchers will take advantage of you. One Dispatcher told me outright that I had to be "creative" with the Driver Hours of Service and Log Books. All that being said, moving to Canada has been the best thing myself and my family ever did. Like Europe, Canada is being slammed with the COVID-19, aside from that we love it. Over the last 5 years I have moved into commercial transport training and consulting and regulation auditing for the Alberta Government. . Long post reply as I have 12 years experience of what your planning to do. Cheers

 

Hello JB. Have watched this thread as it unfolded and am glad someone who has lived it, came along to offer the facts. It is easy to get glassy eyed and hear the recruiters and everyone sugar coat it all. Think about all those wide open spaces and endless miles of open road. Then get here and go through it, while reality sets in, is another matter. You had a family to be concerned about and support, while through it. You went with a company that said they'd look after you. I would believe you found that the company looked after themselves first. Such are the woes of an OTR driver here.
Then we have the situation with deteriorating support for guys on the road. Fuel is available, but food fit for humans and a good place to rest, well you know. It was mentioned in another thread this week.
Enjoyed the story of that rounder and trying to make a dollar. Can you tell us how you did through your first winter? Also good to hear you have survived and progressed in another related area. A little late but Welcome to Canada!