(Toronto) Canada’s largest association of small and medium-sized businesses is urging the federal government to reverse its policy barring unvaccinated truckers from entering Canada.
Posted at 12:23 p.m.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says mandatory vaccinations risk exacerbating rising delivery costs and supply issues.
According to CFIB vice-president of national affairs, Jasmin Guénette, SMEs are already experiencing significant supply chain disruptions as well as an overall increase in operating costs.
Compulsory vaccination of truckers imposed at borders risks “unnecessarily adding fuel to the fire” for these companies, which “simply cannot” absorb additional costs or face more uncertainties, argued Ms. Guénette.
CFIB represents 95,000 small and medium-sized businesses in Canada, including approximately 500 in the trucking industry.
The association says the transport industry has been one of the hardest hit by labor shortages and cites recent survey results, which show 68% of companies in the sector are struggling find the staff they need.