Transport committee  We have the oldest workforce in Canada, with the largest percentage over the age of 55, and as we all saw with COVID in multiple sectors, people in that age group rapidly accelerated their retirement plans. We are seeing that in our sector, so we are short today. We expect to be short 50,000 in another two years, and we are dealing with the other factor of having one of the oldest workforces in Canada.

Transport committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, everyone, for the invitation. I'm joined today off screen by Mr. Geoffrey Wood, our senior VP, policy. Today we'd like to talk about what CTA is, issues in the supply chain, and solutions. CTA represents about 5,000 trucking companies across Canada and employs about 250,000 Canadians directly.

Health committee  With regard to the pain being felt by small companies, owner-operators as you mentioned, it is being felt throughout the trucking supply chain, both big and small. As our customers suffer, the trucking industry suffers, so it's not just size specific. It's what sector of the economy you're tied to in the trucking industry.

Health committee  I think that once we emerge from COVID the answer will be yes, because prior to COVID, the answer was yes. The reality again is—and I don't want to continually go back to this—we're down substantially. A lot of people think the trucking companies are going full bore, and they may be in certain lanes, but we're down by 30% to 35%.

Health committee  In my opening comments, I mentioned the fact that the Government of Canada really stepped up, and here is an example. Both Health Canada and Transport Canada have been working together with our membership and those who are unionized, working with their labour representatives, to make this a safer supply chain, and Mathew can attest to how their members interact with our industry.

Health committee  With regard to that specifically, we have had no members report that directly to me, no.

Health committee  I'll back up in terms of the life of a truck driver. As one owner-operator explained it to me, with regard to exposure, obviously they are going into areas, whether it's in the United States or Canada, where there may be more outbreaks, but in a normal week, a truck driver may only encounter six or seven people.

Health committee  With regard to the access to masks and other equipment, from a trucking industry perspective, and quite frankly from every sector's perspective, it's a challenge. This doesn't mean the challenge isn't being met, but it's a challenge. Gloves aren't necessarily the big issue. Masks, depending on the quality of mask or the type of mask specifically, can be a challenge, as can be hand sanitizer.

Health committee  I'll answer it this way. I've never seen an improvement in the image of our industry in terms of what it means to be a truck driver in Canada.

Health committee  If you go to #ThankATrucker, you see an elevation, and deservedly so, in the general public's mind of what it means to work in our industry, to drive a truck and the importance of it. I won't get into it on this call, but we hope to maintain that esteem and to attract people to our sector.

Health committee  There we go, Mr. Chair. Thanks for reminding me. I'm getting used to this new system. I'm sure my wife would like the mute button. As you are aware, and everyone on the committee is aware, the carbon tax went up on April 1. With regard to the carbon tax, and relief measures in general, the Canadian Trucking Alliance put forward several different measures and options with regard to relief for our industry.

Health committee  Okay. I'll provide an overview here with regard to the economic condition of the industry and the specific asks of our sector as a result of COVID-19. The Canadian trucking industry has worked as hard as it can during the crisis to ensure Canadians continue to have access to essential items such as food and sanitary products.

Health committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and committee members for having the alliance here today. CTA represents over 5,000 trucking companies from coast to coast serving all sectors of the economy. CTA would like to open our comments by thanking the Government of Canada for its tremendous support throughout the COVID-19 crisis.

Agriculture committee  They are water feedlots.

Agriculture committee  —in the Manitoba and Saskatchewan area.