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Great
Minimum
MAKING YOUR MILES COUNT
Robert D. Scheper
The BIGGEST Obstacle to Building Wealth
The biggest obstacle to building wealth is not fuel cost... and not depreciation, interest inflation or carrier contracts. The biggest obstacle for drivers is the biggest obstacle shared by all other workers in the free world... TAXES!
Taxes are one of the most brutal issues in the free world and Canada has one of the highest. Not only are the taxes high but the regulations and restrictions government put on our living is also intense. Nearly every province has monopolies such as hydro, insurance, mandated costs such as EI, CPP and WSIB or Workers compensation (to only mention a few obvious ones). Each of these monopolies cause gross inefficiencies in value of services (if value is even provided). Many think that Canada is a socialistic country. Though government regulations and monopolies are socialistic in nature there is still a free market in Canada (trucking being one deregulated industry). If you like to be controlled, manipulated and told what to do with very little recourse... Canada is the country for you. To pay for all these “services” (real or imaginary) it comes at a cost... TAXES.
There are thousands of taxes, both hidden and open to see. If, in Canada, we calculate our Tax Freedom Day, we arrive at June 8th (2025
stats). So, starting on June 9th you finally get to begin building your own personal wealth... after paying for your cost-of-living bills of course. This Tax Freedom Day is different from country to country. For instance, the US date is April 16th. However, there are a few adjustments to be made so we can compare them more accurately. Healthcare is a big adjustment. You must subtract US healthcare costs ($6000 per family) from the US National family income to compare earnings and then freedom dates. Once healthcare is subtracted from income, Canada versus US DAILY income appears very similar; $203.47 CND dollars versus $213.23 US dollars.
However, two LARGE things need to be realized: first is the purchasing power of the USD to CND Dollars (37% difference), and then, using the Tax Freedom Date, it shows our TAXES in Canada are 43.13% HIGHER than the US. We are left with:
That’s an 80% higher opportunity to build wealth in the US as opposed to Canada. An argument can even be made that currency devaluation is a form of tax by mismanagement of national funds/currency. A citizen using the same effort has an 80% higher opportunity to build wealth in the USA than they do in Canada (using very conservative numbers). This opportunity gap is nearly entirely the fault of TAXES.
Canada has been grossly overtaxed since the 1970’s. I don’t see an end to it any time soon (though we did have a drop during Harper’s time as PM). I don’t wish to wax politics here, but facts are facts. There are some parties who love to tax the citizens, and there are other parties who try to minimize the temptation. Our options sometimes are bad to “not as bad”. In gambling terms, we are all trying to beat the house odds (in this case... the odds in the House of Commons).
An Operator, however, has a legal and valid alternative. As described in my first book, the answer is non-taxable benefits, which reduces taxes for Operators by anywhere from 4080+% or $12,500 per year (per driver). NonTaxable benefits is still not used in the trucking industry nearly 18 years after my book was published. 99.5% of those who prepare taxes
for Operators use the TL2 simplified method (which eliminates the option for NTB). The NTB system is not difficult to learn for Operators, but is more work for an accountant and usually that’s why they don’t use it (if they even know about it at all).
If you want to increase your cash flow by $1000+ per month, you MUST change your system to NTB. After writing about it and doing it through our firm for 23 years, I am still baffled why most Operators don’t investigate and do it. During these difficult times many do not have options anymore. It’s a relatively simple change for the Operator and minor change for the accountant. In my mind the most “no-brainer” in the industry. If you’re an Operator, have your accountant contact me about the needed software used in the system. If they say it’s a hoax... take my advice... your ACCOUNTANT is a “no-brainer”.
About the Author:
Robert D. Scheper is a leading Accountant and Consultant exclusively serving the Lease/ Owner Operator industry in Canada. His first book in the Making Your Miles Count series “taxes, taxes, taxes” was released in 2007. His second book “Choosing a Trucking company” is the most in-depth analysis of the independent operator industry today. He has a Master degree (MBA) in financial management and has been serving the industry since he and his wife came off the road in 1993. His dedication, commitment and strong opinions can be read and heard in many articles and seminars. You can find him at www.makingyourmilescount. com or 1-877-987-9787.
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SAFETY DAWG
Chris Harris
The 2026 Accountability Shift: Is Your Paperwork Proof or Just Paper?
For over 30 years in this industry, I’ve seen the same cycle: a new regulation is announced, the industry grumbles, and then a large portion of carriers wait to see if the “threat” is real. We are currently in the middle of one of those cycles, but this time, the “wait and see” approach is a gamble that could cost you your business.
2nd deadline (since February 28th fell on a Saturday), the penalties are no longer theoretical; they are automatic and financial.
As we hit the end of March 2026, two major regulatory shifts have converged to create a “perfect storm” of accountability for Ontario carriers and owner-operators. If you haven’t adjusted your sails yet, you’re drifting toward a very expensive reef.
The End of the “Driver Inc.” Moratorium
The biggest news this month is at the federal level. For years, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) maintained a moratorium on penalties for failing to report service fees paid to corporations. That grace period officially ended with the 2025 tax year.
As of this month, if you are a carrier paying more than $500 in a calendar year to a Canadian-controlled private corporation (CCPC)—the typical “Driver Inc.” setup—you were required to issue a T4A slip with the amount in Box 048. If you missed that March
But the T4A slip is just the tip of the iceberg. The federal government has funnelled over $77 million into tackling worker misclassification. The CRA, ESDC, and provincial authorities are now sharing data like never before. A simple tax audit can now trigger a Labour Code investigation. If you are treating an individual like an employee—dispatching them, providing the equipment, and controlling their schedule—but paying them as a corporation to avoid CPP and EI, you are sitting on a time bomb of retroactive premiums and 10% penalties.
MTO’s New “Set Fines”: Schedule 52
While the feds are looking at your wallet, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is looking at your dashboard. On January 22, 2026, the Ontario Court of Justice introduced Schedule 52, which brought a wave of new set fines that target documentation and insurance.
We are seeing a hardened stance on what used to be considered “minor” paperwork errors. For example, two brand-new fines were introduced specifically for insurance:
• Inadequate cargo insurance: $85.00
• Failure to carry proof of insurance: $85.00
While $85 might not sound like much, these are “set fines”—the base amount before court costs and victim surcharges are added. More importantly, these convictions go straight onto your CVOR. The MTO is under immense pressure to eliminate “Satisfactory-Unaudited” ratings. They want every carrier verified, and these “minor” documentation hits are often the trigger that moves you up the list for a full Facility Audit.
The Underwriter is the New Auditor
In my years at Old Republic, I saw companies waste thousands of dollars on safety consultants who offered no value. Today, the most important “consultant” you have is your insurance underwriter—and they are watching these regulatory shifts closely.
In 2026, a “clean” loss-run isn’t enough to keep your premiums down. Underwriters are now looking for a “Safety Culture.” They are looking at your CVOR violation rate (aim for under 35%) and your use of telematics. If your paperwork is messy—missing 120-day inspections, expired driver medicals, or incomplete ELD packets—an underwriter sees that as a symptom of a larger problem. The result? Liability premiums that are 15–20% higher than your compliant competitors.
The Safety Dawg Survival Plan
So, how do you navigate this new era of accountability? I recommend a three-step survival plan for this spring:
1. Audit Yourself Before They Do: Don’t wait for the MTO to knock. Conduct an internal “mini audit” of your driver files this week. Are your medicals current? Are your annual inspections signed?
2. Verify Your Classifications: If you are using the Driver Inc. model, consult a tax professional who understands the trucking industry. The 24-month “reach-back” for unpaid payroll deductions has enough teeth to bankrupt a small fleet.
3. Document the “Why”: Safety is no longer just about avoiding the crash; it’s about proving you have a system in place to prevent it. Documentation isn’t just a chore; it’s your best defence in a facility audit.
The “Wild West” days of trucking are behind us. The regulators have the data, and they are using it. Staying safe isn’t just about the road anymore—it’s about the record.
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Watt & Stewart Commodities Inc. 4134 3rd Street East, Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
NINE (9) LONG HAUL TRUCK DRIVERS NEEDED!
(NOC: 73300)
Employer: Watt & Stewart Commodities Inc.
Work location: 4134 3rd Street East, Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
& Various routes in Canada and USA
Vacancies: 9 Vacancies
Salary: $36.00/ Hour for 40 -70 Hours / Week (calculated based on mileage and type of rig)
Benefits: Health Benefits: Dental Plan after 3 months of employment, Health Care Plan, Vision care benefits; Financial Benefits: Mileage paid, Safety Bonus, High Mileage Bonus, Retention Bonus and Referral Bonus, Group insurance benefits; Other benefits: Free parking available; Subject to wage increase and incentives
Terms of employment: Permanent, Full time Start date: As soon as possible Employment conditions: morning, day, evening, night, weekend, on call.
Languages: English
Education: No degree, certificate or diploma.
Experience: 1 year to less than 2 years
Personal Suitability: Reliability, organized
Credentials: Driver’s license (Class 1 or A); Air Brakes Endorsement
Transportation/Travel Information: Valid driver’s license, Willing to travel cross-border, Willing to travel for extended periods.
Security and Safety: Valid passport, Medical exam, Driving record check (abstract), Driver’s validity licence check; Drug test, Criminal record check, Basic security clearance Own Tools/ Equipment: Steel-toed safety boots, cellular phone, gloves
HOW TO APPLY
By email: gparker@wattstewart.com
By mail: 4134 3rd Street East Claresholm, AB T0L 0T0
Underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply: Persons with disabilities, Indigenous people, Newcomers to Canada.
Tasks: Hauling general commodities using flatbed trailers throughout Canada and the United States; Hauling Lumber, pipe and wide loads; Plan or adjust routes based on changing conditions, using computer equipment, global positioning systems (GPS) equipment, or other navigation devices, to minimize fuel consumption and carbon emissions; Operate and drive straight or articulated trucks to transport goods and materials; Tarping and ensuring safety and security of cargo; Receive and relay information to central dispatch; Perform brake adjustments; Perform emergency roadside repairs; Record cargo information, hours of service, distance travelled and fuel consumption; Perform pre-trip, en route and post-trip inspection and oversee all aspects of vehicle; Oversee condition of vehicle and inspect tires, lights, brakes, cold storage and other equipment; Load and unload goods; Perform preventive maintenance; Mountain driving expertise; Professionalism in customer service; Communication Systems Experience: Operate GPS (Global Positioning System) and other navigation equipment, Citizens band (CB) radio; Documentation Knowledge: Trans-border documentation, Driver logbook, Bill of lading, Trip reports, Maintenance and repair reports, Accident or incident reports, Inspection report (pre-trip, en-route, post-trip).
Type of Trucking and Equipment: Tractor-trailer, Flatbed Weight Handling: Up to 23 kg (50 lbs)
Work Conditions and Physical Capabilities: Physically demanding, Attention to detail, Repetitive tasks, Handling heavy loads, Sitting for extended periods of time
WHAT YOU MUST INCLUDE IN YOUR APPLICATION
Job reference number 250501 OTR
Answer to the following screening questions:
• Are you willing to relocate for this position?
• Do you have experience working in this field?
• Do you have the required credentials listed in the job posting?
What might be required by the employer later in the hiring process:
• Proof of the requested credentials
ARE YOU IN?
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