Commercial trucker training and licensing problematic in Ontario: auditor general
Written by The Canadian Press on May 12, 2026
TORONTO — Ontario’s auditor general says the province is not effectively monitoring commercial truck driver training and licensing regimes, leading to many unqualified drivers on the roads.
Shelley Spence says her office has uncovered career colleges that have cut corners on training hours and skills, and found little oversight from two provincial ministries.
The auditor has filed 13 recommendations to the province, which has accepted all of them.
Commercial truck drivers account for a disproportionate number of fatalities on Ontario’s roads and the problem is especially acute in northern Ontario.
Several New Democrats went on a recent road trip from Toronto to the Manitoba border and back along Highways 17 and 11 to highlight the dangers, especially in winter.
They cited training and licensing gaps as a major reason for the problems on northern roads, along with infrastructure gaps including few separated highways and a dearth of passing lanes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 12, 2026.
Liam Casey, The Canadian Press