Canadian Dealers Face 1,200-Technician Shortage

A new report estimates the gap is costing Canadian equipment dealers more than $800 million a year in lost revenue.

Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Employment

Canadian Dealers Face 1,200-Technician Shortage

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Canadian equipment dealers face a shortage of more than 1,200 technicians annually, according to a report by Randall Reilly. The shortage is costing dealers more than $800 million a year in lost revenue.

Why it matters

Most dealers struggle to fill technician roles, and many cannot meet customer demand because of staffing gaps. Stakeholders largely point to stigma around skilled trades and an education system not built for today's workforce as the root causes.

The figures come from a survey of dealers and technicians rather than an official labour statistic. Roughly 80 per cent of Canadian dealers rate hiring difficulty at four or higher, and 78 per cent say staffing shortages prevent them from meeting customer demand.

The players

Randall Reilly

Randall Reilly is a media and business information company that publishes industry reports and trade titles for equipment and transportation markets.

Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation

The Canada Equipment Dealers Foundation is a charitable organization that supports education and workforce development in the Canadian equipment dealer industry.

Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation

The Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation is a charitable arm of the Associated Equipment Distributors trade association, which funds workforce and training initiatives in the equipment sector.

The details

The report found technician retention is a particular challenge among workers with two to five years of experience. Survey respondents identified perceptions of skilled trades careers and gaps in workforce training as the primary causes of the shortage. Separately, 79 per cent of U.S. technicians surveyed said they would consider leaving the industry for better pay and working conditions.

The shortage is measured on an annual basis, with the report released in November 2026.

Labour Shortages

The report extends the technician-shortage pattern documented by the Associated Equipment Distributors Foundation into Canadian dealerships, quantifying a Canadian annual gap of more than 1,200 workers. Shortages of this kind have persisted as older technicians retire and new entrants are slow to replace them.

For Canadians who buy or service equipment, the shortage can mean longer waits for repairs and delayed deliveries. Dealers facing these gaps may pass costs or slower service on to customers.

The takeaway

Employers in the equipment sector should weigh pay, working conditions and training pathways together if they want to keep technicians beyond their first few years. The report suggests perceptions of skilled trades are as much a barrier as wages.