For-hire motor carriers of freight, top carriers

In the first quarter of 2006, the top 91 for-hire motor carriers of freight (Canadian-based trucking companies earning $25 million or more annually), generated operating revenue of $2.37 billion and incurred $2.21 billion in operating expenses.

The operating ratio (operating expenses divided by operating revenue) improved to 0.93 in the first quarter of 2006 from 0.94 the same quarter a year earlier. A ratio greater than 1.00 represents an operating loss.

Average per-carrier revenues were $26.1 million, up 6.8% from the first quarter of 2005. Average per-carrier expenses increased 6.5% to $24.3 million.

First quarter 2006 data on the top for-hire carriers, taken from the Quarterly Motor Carriers of Freight Survey, provide results from 66 general freight carriers and 25 specialized freight carriers, both unchanged from 2005.

Note: Readers should note that, with few exceptions, additions and deletions to the top carriers are done only for the first quarter of each calendar year, while the composition of a top carrier may change at any time due to acquisitions or divestitures. Year-over-year variations in revenue and expenses may arise from changes to the mix of companies included in the top carriers and/or changes in the financial results reported by individual carriers. The revenue and expenses attributed to top carriers may also include that of some companies with less than $25 million in annual revenue, particularly when these companies exist in complex corporate structures where their individual activities may be difficult to accurately measure.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2748.

For more information, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Ron Chrétien (613-951-8774; ron.chetien@statcan.gc.ca) or Denis Pilon (613-951-2707; fax: 613-951-0579; denis.pilon@statcan.gc.ca), Transportation Division.