Transwest and the Struggle of Quebec’s Trucking Industry: A Culture of Missed Opportunities
Quebec’s trucking industry is full of contradictions. Take Transwest, for example—a company that owns more than 50 trucks, their own trailers, and relies on Peterbilt trucks, yet struggles to hire qualified drivers. On paper, this should be a thriving business. In reality, it highlights the systemic failures of Quebec’s business culture.
Transwest and similar companies often prioritize old couple teams for local routes instead of taking new, qualified drivers. Meanwhile, over 50 of their trucks sit unused, rotting capital that could easily employ trained professionals fresh out of programs like CFTR—a government-financed program designed to prepare drivers for the industry. But Quebec’s insurance system and business culture seem unwilling to trust local talent.
This is not just Transwest—it’s a symptom of a larger problem. Many Quebec companies operate more like bureaucratic shells than true businesses. They buy new trucks, spend thousands on equipment, and then leave it idle because they refuse to take on qualified drivers. Instead of expanding careers, supporting skilled locals, or building a real workforce, they cling to outdated practices and excuses.
Quebec’s education and training systems produce competent drivers, yet companies like Transwest ignore them, claiming “lack of experience” or other barriers. Insurance companies also refuse to fully recognize the legitimacy of local training programs, further discouraging newcomers.
The result? A trucking industry that should be booming is held back by outdated policies, a lack of vision, and a culture that prioritizes appearances over performance. Qualified Quebec drivers want to start their careers, but they face companies that make empty promises while leaving resources unused.
Transwest’s struggle to hire new drivers is emblematic of Quebec’s broader business culture: bureaucratic, hesitant, and often more concerned with optics than results. For anyone hoping to start a career in trucking—or any industry, really—this is a harsh reality. Fake promises, unused resources, and distrust of local talent are the hallmarks of Quebec’s business environment.
In short, Quebec could produce skilled professionals and run successful businesses, but its culture, policies, and corporate mindset hold it back. Companies like Transwest aren’t just failing themselves—they’re failing the next generation of Quebec talent.
