THE Office of the BC Container Trucking Commissioner (OBCCTC) has announced new minimum regulated rates for container trucking services in the Lower Mainland, effective July 1. These increases, which apply to company drivers, indirectly employed operators (IEOs), and independent operators (I/Os), are part of ongoing efforts to ensure fair compensation and industry stability and were announced following a formal rate review and consultation process conducted by the OBCCTC.
In March 2025, the OBCCTC published its 2025 Rate Review Recommendation Report which made these three proposals, inviting feedback from industry stakeholders, including drivers, licensees, and associations.
1. Continuing with the Minimum Regulated Rate (MRR) increases for July 1, 2025, announced in the 2023 Rate Report
2. Adjusting future MRRs starting July 1, 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
3. Reviewing the MRR again in 30 months
The consultation period concluded on April 8 with submissions from a wide range of voices within the sector. The final 2025 Rate Review Consultation Report released on April 23 reflects the Commissioner’s careful consideration of stakeholder input and economic data.
In the Consultation report it was concluded that the proposals in the 2025 Recommendation Report will keep Lower Mainland drayage drivers in the same relative position as their direct counterparts. Regular reviews will continue and will ensure that corrections can be made if the relative position of drivers changes. Industry will be consulted in that event. In the meantime, tying the Minimum Regulated Rates (MRR) increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) brings clarity and certainty to the industry as a whole and removes the need for the dramatic increases that occurred in the past.
The publication of the consultation report gave stakeholders sufficient notice to meet the required changes set out in the adopted proposals.
Following this, the 2025 Rate Order was published as required by the Act and Regulation with rates starting effective July 1.
New rates:
- For company drivers and Indirectly Employed Operators (IEOs), the minimum wage will increase to $33.85 per hour for those who have performed under 2,340 collective hours of container trucking services for any licensee or licensees (hourly rates are inclusive of benefits) and $35.29 for those who have performed more than or equal to 2,340 collective hours.
- Independent Operators (I/Os) who are paid hourly will see their rates increase to $71.54 (under 2,340 hours) and $73.51 (2,340 hours or more), while trip-based compensation is mentioned in the Appendix I, I and III of the 2025 Rate Order.
- The order also sets a callout rate drivers.
- Overtime rules remain in effect for company drivers and indirectly employed operators at 1.5 times when applicable.
- Fuel surcharges will continue to apply based on the formula mentioned in the rate order.
Commissioner Glen MacInnes said: “As Commissioner, the 2025 Rate Review was part of my commitment to engage with the industry to continue to maintain a balance between the need for fair compensation for drivers and the realities facing many stakeholders. Automatically adjusting the minimum rates paid to drivers based on the inflation rate ensures fair compensation for container truck drivers who service our ports and predictability and stability for company owners and other stakeholders in the drayage sector.”
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