The Canada Truck Operators Association says the impact of rising diesel prices could be particularly significant in northern Ontario, where trucking companies travel hundreds of kilometres to move goods and serve remote communities. Prices have surged amid rising global fuel costs linked to geopolitical tensions. The national average is now hovering around $2.50 a litre or more. The association said smaller carriers are especially vulnerable because they don’t have the same buying power or long-term contracts as larger fleets. ‘The situation is very tough’ “Honestly, the situation is very tough, and it’s more of an impact on small to medium-size companies,” said Tejpreet Dulat, the group’s director of government and public affairs. “The larger fleets, they have a buffer zone, they have contracts, but the smaller fleets… from one to five trucks … those people are really in trouble at this time … diesel is eating everything.” Dulat said a long-haul truck can burn through up to 4,000 litres of diesel a week. Even a 10-cent per litre increase can erode already-thin profit margins, particularly for smaller companies that may not be able to immediately pass higher fuel costs on to customers. The association said if elevated fuel prices continue, carriers could eventually be forced to increase their rates, adding to the cost of goods transported across the region. The association is calling for targeted government relief for small- and mid-sized carriers. “I think I’d say if things go on like this, government should see some targeted measures for the transport sector, especially for commercial trucking. Some need relief -- and they need it now,” said Dulat. He said the trucking industry is already dealing with other pressures, including uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs and freight rates that have not kept pace with rising operating costs. He warned that if fuel prices remain high, some companies could be forced to park trucks or shut down, potentially putting additional pressure on Canada’s supply chain.
