2026 TECHNICIAN SHORTAGE REPORT - CANADIAN EDITION

Every empty bay costs you CA$636,120 a year!

The tech shortage costs Canadian ag and construction dealers CA$803 million a year. See what's driving it and what's working.

Fill out the form to download the report ↓

CA$803M

Lost in dealer service and parts revenue every year

1,263

Technicians Canadian ag and construction dealers need each year

78%

Of dealers can't meet customer demand

80%

Of dealers rate hiring techs 4 or 5 out of 5 for difficulty

WHAT'S INSIDE

The technician shortage, measured for Canadian dealers

Built on surveys of Canadian and U.S. dealers and OEMs, Canadian labour data, and interviews with dealers across the country. Here's what you'll learn.

The real cost of an empty seat

How 1,800 billable hours plus lost parts adds up to CA$636,120 per unfilled role, and CA$803M across the industry.

Why the pipeline is broken

Fewer than 10% of 15-year-olds plan a career in the trades. See the root causes dealers point to.

When and why techs leave

65% of turnover hits at years 2 to 5, with techs lost to other dealers, mining, and oil and gas.

Canada vs. U.S., side by side

How Canadian dealers compare on root causes, hiring difficulty, vacancy length, turnover and policy.

What dealers are doing

Community promotion, pay, school partnerships, tool allowances and international hiring, with real dealer examples.

Where policy should focus

Work-based learning (78%) and employer training subsidies (75%) lead Canadian dealers' priorities.

A PREVIEW OF THE DATA

51% of tech jobs stay open more than 3 months

Most Canadian businesses fill jobs in 30 to 45 days. At equipment dealerships, one in four technician roles sits open for more than 150 days.

Canadian Dealer Job Openings Duration Chart

"I could easily hire 20 techs across all locations. We could grow the business a lot faster, and technicians are the reason we're not."

Shawn McCready, Service Division Manager, Horizon Ag & Turf, Edmonton, Alberta

Effective hiring solutions for skilled labor: truck drivers, diesel and automotive technicians, warehouse professionals, and other essential frontline talent.

We Get Hard Work.