It’s estimated that there are roughly 28,000 empty seats across the country, with companies operating at 90 per cent of driver capacity, according to the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.“I don’t think there are any young new drivers that are interested unless they’re family. If your son grew up with you and liked the trade, he might follow your footsteps. Otherwise, I don’t think anyone is interested. The government doesn’t paint a pretty picture,” said Westhaven.
“Not everybody is in the position to come out and embark on a program that costs 10-12 thousand dollars,” said the association chair Trevor Bent.Bent said he would like to see more incentives from the federal government to help bring more drivers into the system. The Fredericton chamber of commerce is calling on Ottawa to do more to help, something echoed by the Canadian chamber of commerce.