Temporary Foreign Workers

Agreed happened here, it was ok when the economy went well but when it collapsed we were expected to work for the rates the eastern European drivers worked for, I don't blame the eastern European guys for wanting a better life but I blame the companies and legislators for letting this happen

 

Let's hope it doesn't end up like Ireland !

 

quote source please.

 

for crappy highway jobs, sure.

 

If you can't find a good driving job in Alberta there's something wrong with you.
British Columbia is Canada's version of California and has had a messed up economy for many years.
Everything is government and union controlled there. You even have to buy your car insurance from the government.

 

Welcome to the powers of a globalised free market- economy...better for us all, wasn't it?

600.000 Canadians with a truck driving license...but do they all want a trucking job?

I do hope you're able to distinguish between people that don't have a clue and don't speak the language, and people who want to come in with a professional attitude, who for whatever reason want a better future. I have been a truckdriver for over 28 years, always long haul, speak my languages and do roughly know what I'm talkong about...although there's a lot that I don't know.

And yes, I'm European, and not from the East but from The Netherlands (that is a big difference), and I want to give working in Canada a try. I like the adventure, and I''ve been kicked out of work by the East- Europeans here (and they don't just run cheaper, they run for a third of my wages!...or even less...). I have no intention to go running for the known revolving- door suspects, I do want a decent job and do by no means intend to undercut Canadian wages...so my search for the right employer will be tedious, but I'm not going to give up.
I know what I'm worth...

Now, do I qualify as a potential slave laborer?

 

Unfortunately it's no longer about "What you know your worth" that ship sailed about 10 yrs ago.
The industry is now about "How little will drivers work for?" You as a driver no longer count. There are more than enough drivers for the positions available and companies can choose the cheapest driver available and you'd better believe there are all kinds out there willing to work for a few dollars over minimum wage running local. Drivers can throw "professionalism" around and "you get what you pay for" but at the end of the day companies have come to believe that a driver is just a driver.

In regards to the original topic of foreign drivers. The biggest influx of drivers is now coming in under the student visa program (very,very easy acceptance). Once in, the "student" applies for an open work permit (rarely denied)and heads straight to trucking. They pay tuition to a school then either apply for a grant or they drop courses in order to save money. Then they make money driving trucks.

The government trucking programs require too much paperwork compared to getting a student visa.

 

Yes British Columbia is Government Insurance, along with Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
However, Commercial Truck Drivers Do Not have to use it. Its only mandated for your private vehicle.
I live in Saskatchewan, and have lived in "ICBC land", and I can choose to use SGI Canada Insurance,
or AVIVA, or Intact - or whoever I feel is giving me the best bang for my buck. In addition, SGI also serves
Ontario under the name of Coachman.
There are problems that exist in Alberta, and I see how truck driving companies undercut employees. I am a very small
employer, but only hire Canadians and offer a competitive wage. I will never go outside the boundaries of this nation.
In addition, in the December 2012 Volume 23, Issue 12 of Truck West - PAGE 13 about a group of Danish people who came to Alberta to see how
trucking companies operate.
"While Kobke obviously thinks Canadian companies are doing well, he also has a warning for the industry. I heard that Europeans are immigrating to Canada to be truck drivers, he said, but the Canadian truck companies are also hiring drivers from Eastern Europe because they're cheaper. So So I think the same things are starting to happen in Canada that are happening in Denmark."
I would encourage you to read the entire article and get your facts straight. Although for the most part Alberta is a great place to live and work - Living conditions for a truck driver CAN change.