Transportation and Warehousing (NAICS 48-49): Western Canada and Territories, 2025
Highlights
The trade situation with the United States is expected to suppress growth in this sector.
Manitoba
Manitoba’s transportation and warehousing sector in 2024 had a GDP of $4.57 billion with 6.9% annualized growth. However, employment is forecast to decline about 1.2% annually by 2027.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan’s transportation and warehousing sector is projected to see steady gains with GDP expected to rise from $3.87 billion in 2024 to $3.1 billion in 2025, a 3.3% increase. Employment is forecast to decline about 0.5% annually by 2027 should the US/CAN trade relationship not improve significantly over the period.
Alberta
Alberta’s transportation and warehousing sector’s GDP was $19.5 billion in 2024, rising to $21.2 billion in 2025. Employment is forecast to grow 1.8% annually over the next three years.
British Columbia
British Columbia leads the transportation and warehousing sector in the western region. The GDP for this sector was $17.07 billion in 2024, with a projected increase to $9.1 billion in 2025. GDP is expected to reach $19.16 billion in 2025, but employment will largely stagnate.
Territories
Combined GDP for the Northern Territories was about $472 million in 2024. Regional employment at about 3,500 workers and is forecast to grow 1.1% annually by 2027. Wage growth, at approximately 5%, remains the highest in the region due to high recruitment and retention costs.
About the Sector
The transportation and warehousing sector (NAICS 48-49) covers industries that move goods and people, manage storage and handling, and provide services like logistics, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage. Its main subsectors include air, rail, water, truck, and pipeline transportation; transit and ground passenger services; sightseeing and scenic operations; postal and courier services; and warehousing.
Composition and importance of the sector
Provinces
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 3,368.9 | 3,617.1 | 3,745.9 | 3,976.3 | 4,146.8 | 4,319.1 | 3,579.0 | 3,835.4 | 4,159.5 | 4,463.4 | 4,571.9 |
| Saskatchewan | 3,216.2 | 3,297.3 | 3,302.0 | 3,617.8 | 3,603.5 | 3,615.7 | 3,213.3 | 3,361.7 | 3,542.4 | 3,815.8 | 3,879.3 |
| Alberta | 15,317.5 | 15,255.6 | 15,303.1 | 16,304.2 | 16,720.0 | 17,611.1 | 14,476.3 | 15,765.3 | 17,767.5 | 18,774.8 | 19,505.2 |
| British Columbia | 13,351.9 | 13,868.6 | 14,113.9 | 15,589.2 | 15,906.8 | 16,049.5 | 11,820.8 | 12,874.8 | 15,142.9 | 16,400.5 | 17,068.8 |
Territories
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 80.9 | 79.6 | 87.7 | 89.7 | 88.4 | 91.0 | 59.4 | 72.2 | 102.3 | 115.9 | 117.7 |
| Northwest Territories | 308.6 | 292.4 | 289.3 | 248.3 | 253.9 | 270.8 | 162.8 | 171.0 | 279.2 | 267.8 | 272.7 |
| Nunavut | 63.6 | 64.6 | 69.1 | 69.5 | 75.2 | 78.9 | 58.2 | 52.1 | 70.1 | 75.8 | 81.1 |
* Chained (2017) dollars
Source: Statistics Canada, Gross Domestic Product by Industry - Provincial and Territorial (Annual)
Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan and Manitoba both rely on agriculture and central geography. Saskatchewan depends on rail and trucking for grain, fertilizer, and potash exports, with recent intermodal investments improving efficiency.
Manitoba leverages its central location. Winnipeg is a national logistics hub for trucking, air cargo, and warehousing. Saskatchewan’s GDP was $3.87 billion in 2024 and annualized growth of 5.6%, with employment at 29,000. Manitoba’s sector GDP was $4.57 billion with 6.9% annualized growth, with employment at 49,300. Wage growth was 3.7% in Saskatchewan and just 1.0% in Manitoba since 2020; rural recruitment remains difficult.
Alberta & British Columbia
Alberta’s sector is built around its resource-intensive economy. Rail, heavy trucking, and pipelines connect Alberta’s production — oil, gas, and agriculture — to global markets. GDP for Alberta’s sector was $19.5 billion in 2024 and IBISWorld projects $21.2 billion in 2025; employment in 2024 was 144,400, with the median wage growing around 1.8% annually since 2020.
British Columbia functions as Canada’s Pacific gateway. The Port of Vancouver — Canada’s largest — anchors a logistics network connecting trucking, rail, and warehousing with overseas trade. In 2024, B.C.’s transportation and warehousing sector GDP is estimated at $17.07 billion, with employment at 156,200; both figures reflect strong port activity and e-commerce demand. Wage growth is steady at approximately 3% per year since 2020, supported by investment in intermodal infrastructure. According to IBISWorld, GDP is expected to reach $19.16 billion in 2025, with employment increasing 1.7%.
Territories
The Northern Territories — Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut — face unique challenges. Air transportation is central, given geographic isolation, while seasonal ice roads and marine shipping are also essential. Resource projects often demand custom logistics. Combined GDP for the North was about $472 million in 2024. Regional employment is about 3,500 workers. Wage growth stays elevated at around 5% per year, reflecting high recruitment and retention costs in remote regions.
Intermodal infrastructure — ports, rail, highways — remains essential for Western Canada and the North, supporting trade and economic integration. Workforce shortages and wage pressures continue, especially in rural and northern regions, making recruitment for truck drivers, equipment operators, and supply chain planners a persistent challenge.
The transportation and warehousing sector in Western Canada and the Northern Territories is being reshaped by geography, trade dynamics, and modernization. Ongoing investment in infrastructure, workforce development, and technology will be essential for meeting future demands and maintaining competitiveness into 2025.
Geographical distribution of employment
| Geography | Employment (x 1,000), 2024 | Sector Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 49.3 | 12.89% |
| Saskatchewan | 29.0 | 7.58% |
| Alberta | 144.4 | 37.76% |
| British Columbia | 156.2 | 40.85% |
| Yukon | 1.4 | 0.37% |
| Northwest Territories | 1.5 | 0.39% |
| Nunavut | 0.6 | 0.16% |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, ESDC custom table
The transportation and warehousing sector in Western Canada and the Northern Territories is structured around five key NAICS subsectors: Truck Transportation (NAICS 484), Rail Transportation (NAICS 482), Air Transportation (NAICS 481), Pipeline Transportation (NAICS 486), and Warehousing and Storage (NAICS 493).
Manitoba & Saskatchewan
Manitoba’s Truck Transportation comprised 27% of GDP and 44% of employment in 2024, with a projected employment decrease 3.4% annually by 2027 if cross-border trade slows.
Saskatchewan’s Rail Transportation subsector represented 17.5% of GDP and 13% of employment in 2024, supported primarily by grain and potash exports.
Alberta & British Columbia
In Alberta, Truck Transportation accounted for 22% of the sector’s GDP and 35% of employment in 2024, while Pipeline Transportation contributed 31% of GDP and 6.4% of employment.
British Columbia’s Warehousing and Storage subsector made up 7.4% of GDP, the highest percentage among provinces, and 4.3% of employment in 2024, reflecting the Port of Vancouver’s strategic importance. Truck Transportation accounted for 15% of GDP and 25% of employment.
Territories
In the Northern Territories, Air Transportation dominated with 54% of GDP and well over half of employment in 2024, essential for connecting remote communities. Wage growth in the North is expected to outpace provincial averages due to recruitment challenges and higher living costs.
Workforce
Workforce characteristics
British Columbia remains the industry heavyweight, employing around 156,200 people — a 6.4% uptick from the previous year — fueled by the Port of Vancouver’s expansion and thriving intermodal freight operations.
Alberta has 144,400 transportation and warehousing workers, its workforce growing at a brisk 2.8% annually closely tracking the ups and downs of the province’s resource sector.
Saskatchewan employs 29,000 in the sector, with 1.7% annual growth, its market focused on rail freight for agricultural exports and rural trucking. Manitoba, with 49,300 workers, benefits from its status as a national rail nexus and a gateway for cross-border trade.
Yukon employs about 1,400 people in the sector, the Northwest Territories 1,500, and Nunavut 600.
Occupations of Interest
Provinces
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 14.1 | 15.8 | 14.0 | 13.9 | 15.3 | 15.0 | 14.6 | 16.6 | 14.7 | 17.4 | 17.1 |
| Saskatchewan | 11.3 | 11.1 | 11.5 | 12.0 | 10.2 | 9.1 | 11.5 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 11.6 | 13.5 |
| Alberta | 46.5 | 45.1 | 47.0 | 42.2 | 46.7 | 45.7 | 39.9 | 38.6 | 44.3 | 48.6 | 51.0 |
| British Columbia | 44.4 | 45.5 | 46.0 | 36.3 | 45.7 | 40.6 | 42.6 | 37.1 | 36.3 | 33.1 | 38.5 |
Territories
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.5 |
| Northwest Territories | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.1 | 1.2 |
| Nunavut | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 0.6 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, ESDC custom table
B.C. tops provincial truck driver median wages at $30.00 per hour while Yukon leads nationwide, offering $32.65 per hour. Northern wage premiums are consistently attributed to isolation and recruitment hurdles, with provincial reports highlighting the roles of resource extraction and port activity.
Recent History
Provinces
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | 37.8 | 38.6 | 35.4 | 36.4 | 38.3 | 41.4 | 38.9 | 42.8 | 41.5 | 43.1 | 49.3 |
| Saskatchewan | 27.7 | 26.8 | 26.8 | 27.8 | 26.9 | 24.7 | 23.7 | 23.7 | 25.4 | 28.2 | 29.0 |
| Alberta | 123.8 | 131.5 | 128.0 | 135.9 | 138.6 | 138.8 | 124.8 | 131.9 | 130.1 | 140.3 | 144.4 |
| British Columbia | 138.9 | 142.0 | 141.5 | 142.1 | 142.9 | 146.5 | 134.9 | 145.7 | 144.3 | 146.8 | 156.2 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey
Territories
| 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.9 | 1.2 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.4 |
| Northwest Territories | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
| Nunavut | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 0.6 |
Source: Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, ESDC custom table
Throughout 2024 and 2025, transportation and warehousing in Western Canada and the Northern Territories (NAICS 48-49) have faced a complex and rapidly evolving labour market. The region’s exposure to global supply chain volatility, commodity cycles, and domestic infrastructure constraints has translated directly into tight labour market conditions and varying output outcomes.
Employment in the sector remains robust across all jurisdictions, with British Columbia employing 156,200 persons, Alberta 144,400, Saskatchewan 29,000, and Manitoba 49,300, while the Northern Territories, though much smaller in scale, continue to play a critical role in regional supply chains.
Wages have responded accordingly, with the median wage for transport truck drivers in British Columbia at $30.00, Alberta at $29.41, Saskatchewan at $25.50, and Manitoba at $23.70. The Territories consistently offer higher wages, with Yukon at $32.65, Northwest Territories at $30.00, and Nunavut at $30.11 per hour, reflecting both the scarcity of labour and the increased cost of living and working in northern and remote regions.
Employment Outlook
Labour productivity challenges represent a central constraint on the growth and competitiveness of transportation and warehousing across Western Canada and the Northern Territories.
The sector is likely to respond with a combination of technological adoption and workforce transformation. This includes upskilling existing workers and equipping new entrants with digital literacy and technical certifications necessary to operate advanced logistics systems.
Labour market implications for new job seekers are profound: the demand will shift toward more skilled occupations, and entry pathways may require formal training and apprenticeships. Rural and northern regions, facing acute labour shortages, will need tailored strategies emphasizing Indigenous participation, flexible work arrangements, and community-based training to sustain productivity gains.
The current trade situation with the United States is expected to suppress growth in this sector. Employment growth across the region is forecast to be slow at roughly 0.3% annually to 2027.
In preparing this document, the authors have taken care to provide clients with labour market information that is timely and accurate at the time of publication. Since labour market conditions are dynamic, some of the information presented here may have changed since this document was published. Users are encouraged to also refer to other sources for additional information on the local economy and labour market. Information contained in this document does not necessarily reflect official policies of Employment and Social Development Canada.
Portions of this sector profile were prepared with support from artificial intelligence (AI) tools, in accordance with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) guidelines. All AI-assisted content has been reviewed for accuracy and compliance with ESDC standards.
Prepared by: Labour Market Information Directorate, Service Canada - Western Canada and Territories (W-T) Region
For further information, please contact the Labour Market Information Directorate here.
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