Transportation Sector Employment in Canada (2001–2024)

The transportation industry in Canada plays a critical role in connecting people, goods, and services across a vast geography. Over the past two decades, employment in the transportation and warehousing sector has steadily increased, reflecting the sector’s adaptability and importance in the Canadian economy.

Employment Growth in Canada’s Transportation Sector

In 2001, the transportation industry employed 591,283 workers. This number has grown consistently, reaching a peak of 844,402 employees in 2024, demonstrating a 43% increase over 23 years. This growth has been driven by several factors:

• Increased demand for logistics and supply chain services.
• Growth in e-commerce, boosting warehousing and delivery jobs.
• Investments in infrastructure and public transit projects.
• The resilience of the freight and shipping sectors.

What’s Included in the Transportation Sector

Canada’s transportation sector encompasses a wide range of industries that contribute to the nation’s mobility and logistics capabilities. This sector includes:

• Air transportation
• Rail transportation
• Truck transportation
• Transit and ground passenger transportation
• Support activities for transportation
• Couriers and messengers
• Warehousing and storage

These industries work in tandem to facilitate the movement of goods and people, ensuring economic growth and efficiency in supply chains across the country.

2024 Transportation Employment Breakdown

In 2024, employment distribution within the sector was as follows:

Category	Employees	Share of Sector
Total Transportation Sector	844,402	100%
Air Transportation	73,488	9%
Rail Transportation	42,721	5%
Truck Transportation	212,935	25%
Transit & Ground Passenger Transport	124,730	15%
Support Activities for Transport	134,462	16%
Couriers and Messengers	77,125	9%
Warehousing and Storage	74,515	9%
Other Transportation Services	104,426	12%

Key Growth Years

• 2006: A 3% growth, with 651,237 employees, as trade volumes increased globally.
• 2012: Another 3% rise, with 693,966 employed, driven by economic recovery.
• 2018-2019: Back-to-back 3% growth rates, reflecting strong demand in logistics and freight services.

Employment Growth Highlights

• 2006: 3% growth, driven by international trade expansion.
• 2012: 3% increase with economic recovery post-2008 recession.
• 2018-2019: Sustained 3% annual growth, reflecting e-commerce boom.
• 2020: A 5% decline due to COVID-19 disruptions.
• 2022: A robust 5% rebound in employment.
• 2024: Sector employment peaked at 844,402 workers

Pandemic Impact and Recovery

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 5% decline in 2020, reducing employment to 743,790. However, the sector rebounded strongly:

• 2021: Employment recovered to 767,654 (+3% YoY).
• 2022: A robust 5% growth, bringing the total to 806,806 employees.
• 2023-2024: Continued growth, reaching 844,402 employees by 2024.

Future Outlook

With continued investments in transportation infrastructure, the shift toward green logistics, and advancements like autonomous vehicles and electric trucking, the Canadian transportation sector is poised for continued strength in employment and innovation.

Number of People Employed in Transportation Sector in Canada (2001-2024)

Year	Air transportation	Rail transportation	Truck transportation	Transit and ground passenger transportation	Support activities for transportation	Couriers and messengers	Warehousing and storage	Other	Total Employees	Growth YoY
2001	61,980	43,300	167,757	93,554	75,534	36,265	29,162	83,731	591,283
2002	57,562	43,253	169,736	103,367	77,337	36,821	28,725	83,293	600,094	1%
2003	60,621	42,048	167,553	106,410	80,208	37,573	30,262	82,709	607,384	1%
2004	59,779	40,600	173,372	109,483	81,718	38,977	31,796	85,507	621,232	2%
2005	60,766	40,212	178,248	110,037	84,336	40,595	33,140	85,692	633,026	2%
2006	61,363	39,266	180,942	110,977	88,073	43,058	41,716	85,842	651,237	3%
2007	63,693	38,400	183,298	113,312	91,740	44,986	44,075	87,533	667,037	2%
2008	61,445	38,964	184,695	114,531	92,845	45,816	44,557	90,363	673,216	1%
2009	64,219	38,080	171,204	113,676	92,079	45,343	46,851	89,962	661,414	-2%
2010	63,774	36,466	171,141	114,111	93,510	45,769	45,715	89,693	660,179	0%
2011	64,438	37,286	176,634	115,957	97,129	46,322	46,723	90,019	674,508	2%
2012	66,575	38,095	183,562	118,914	101,066	48,198	45,982	91,574	693,966	3%
2013	68,327	37,607	190,497	121,893	103,242	48,281	43,985	92,801	706,633	2%
2014	69,950	37,073	194,040	121,661	107,946	46,872	44,853	93,129	715,524	1%
2015	70,229	37,456	197,081	122,052	111,035	46,873	44,389	93,229	722,344	1%
2016	71,481	37,437	196,957	123,617	113,308	45,738	47,775	92,150	728,463	1%
2017	73,372	37,203	201,937	123,987	112,959	47,465	49,191	93,199	739,313	1%
2018	71,074	36,889	207,253	125,107	118,821	51,388	56,306	93,075	759,913	3%
2019	74,660	35,744	209,611	127,594	122,584	56,443	57,509	98,322	782,467	3%
2020	68,597	35,268	195,083	112,869	112,210	59,727	62,331	97,705	743,790	-5%
2021	53,059	37,946	206,426	113,031	114,369	70,414	69,035	103,374	767,654	3%
2022	60,934	40,285	211,521	117,473	123,058	75,844	72,149	105,542	806,806	5%
2023	70,520	42,245	215,893	121,570	130,566	76,975	74,204	107,646	839,619	4%
2024	73,488	42,721	212,935	124,730	134,462	77,125	74,515	104,426	844,402	1%

Source:

Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0202-01  Employment by industry, annual