Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic continues to be challenged by labour shortages across industries ranging from energy to aviation to agriculture. This shortage has directly impacted the propane transportation sector and remains a key issue for the CPA and its members.
Statistics Canada data shows the national unemployment rate hit a 20-month low in October. The shortage of skilled and unskilled workers threatens to hurt economic growth and fuel inflation, which is already at an 18-year high.
There is significant concern around the various Canadian transportation sectors about what will happen if demand continues to increase stemming from a post-COVID recovery and the labour supply continues to shrink. That represents a key concern for the propane industry.
A survey of members of the CPA, conducted last winter, also confirmed the primary area of concern was in the trucking sector which a majority of respondents indicated was most in need. The recent numbers from Statistics Canada indicate that that shortage has only worsened.
The CPA will continue to monitor the transportation trends affecting the propane industry and actively engage the government on initiatives to address any potential transportation challenges.