A Canadian Independent Contractor Agreement for Trucking is a legal contract between a shipper or freight broker (the Client) and a truck driver or trucking company (the Contractor or Carrier) that establishes the terms under which transportation and freight hauling services will be performed. This agreement is specifically designed for owner-operators and independent trucking companies that operate their own commercial vehicles and provide freight transportation services on a contract basis.

The Canadian trucking industry is regulated at both the federal and provincial levels. The Motor Vehicle Transport Act (S.C. 1987, c. 35) governs inter-provincial and international motor carrier operations, while provincial highway traffic acts and transportation safety legislation regulate intra-provincial operations. The National Safety Code (NSC), developed by the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA), establishes sixteen safety standards that apply to all commercial carriers across Canada, covering areas such as driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance, hours of service, and cargo securement.

The distinction between an employee truck driver and an independent contractor owner-operator is critical under Canadian tax and employment law. The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) guide RC4110 outlines the factors used to classify the working relationship. Owner-operators who own or lease their truck, bear their own operating expenses (fuel, maintenance, insurance, permits), control their routes and methods, and may work for multiple clients are generally classified as independent contractors. The CRA has also published specific guidance for the transportation industry, and either party may request a formal ruling using Form CPT1.

Federal hours-of-service regulations under the Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations (SOR/2005-313) impose mandatory limits on driving time, on-duty time, and require minimum rest periods. Since June 2021, most commercial vehicle operators in Canada must use certified electronic logging devices (ELDs) to record their hours of service, replacing paper logbooks. These requirements apply equally to owner-operators and company drivers, and compliance is mandatory regardless of the worker's classification as an employee or independent contractor.

A Canadian Trucking Independent Contractor Agreement is essential when a shipping company, freight broker, logistics provider, or manufacturer engages an owner-operator or independent trucking company to transport goods. This agreement is used for both long-haul inter-provincial freight transportation and local or regional delivery services.

The agreement is particularly important for owner-operators who provide their own truck and trailer, as it documents the business relationship and helps establish the independent contractor classification. Without a written agreement, the CRA may reclassify the relationship as employment, making the client retroactively liable for unremitted income tax withholdings, CPP contributions, and EI premiums, plus penalties and interest.

Freight carriers operating inter-provincially must comply with the Motor Vehicle Transport Act and obtain the necessary operating authority and safety fitness certificates from their home province. The agreement should document the contractor's obligation to maintain all required licences, permits, and registrations, including a valid Class 1 or Class A commercial driver's licence, National Safety Code registration, International Registration Plan (IRP) registration for inter-jurisdictional operations, and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) licence for cross-border or inter-provincial operations.

The agreement is also needed to allocate liability for cargo loss, damage, or delay. Under provincial conditions of carriage, the carrier is generally liable for goods from the time of pickup to delivery. Cargo insurance requirements should be clearly stated in the agreement, along with procedures for reporting and resolving claims.

Without a formal written agreement, the parties face uncertainty regarding compensation structure, operating expense responsibility, insurance requirements, liability allocation, and compliance obligations. The trucking industry involves significant financial risks including fuel price fluctuations, vehicle breakdowns, cargo claims, and regulatory fines, making a comprehensive written agreement essential for both parties.

A legally effective Canadian Trucking Independent Contractor Agreement must include complete identification of both parties, including legal names, addresses, and the province or territory in which each party operates. The agreement should specify the vehicle that will be used for the services, including the make, model, year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and licence plate number, as this helps establish that the contractor provides their own equipment.

The services description should clearly define the type of freight to be transported, the service territory or routes, and any specific handling requirements for specialized cargo such as temperature-controlled goods, hazardous materials, or oversized loads. Transportation of dangerous goods is subject to the federal Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (S.C. 1992, c. 34) and requires specialized training, placarding, and documentation.

The compensation section should specify the payment structure in Canadian dollars (CAD), whether per kilometre, per load, percentage of freight revenue, or a fixed rate. The agreement should address fuel surcharge provisions tied to fluctuations in diesel fuel prices as published by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). Payment terms, invoicing requirements, and supporting documentation such as bills of lading and delivery receipts should be clearly stated.

The independent contractor status clause must clearly establish that the contractor is not an employee. It should reference the CRA's classification criteria under RC4110 and confirm that the contractor is responsible for their own income taxes, CPP contributions, operating expenses, and insurance. The clause should state that the contractor controls their own methods, routes (subject to safety regulations), and schedule.

Insurance provisions should require the contractor to maintain commercial automobile liability insurance (typically $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 CAD minimum), cargo insurance for goods in transit, and any additional coverage required by provincial regulations. The contractor should provide certificates of insurance upon request and notify the client of any coverage changes.

Compliance provisions should address the contractor's obligation to comply with all applicable federal and provincial transportation safety legislation, including the Motor Vehicle Transport Act, the National Safety Code, hours-of-service regulations, electronic logging device requirements, vehicle maintenance standards, and any applicable provincial highway traffic acts.

The governing law clause should reference the laws of the applicable province and the federal laws of Canada, including the Motor Vehicle Transport Act and other federal transportation legislation.