Canada's leading logistics companies include the two national railways (CN and CPKC), large trucking groups such as TFI International, parcel networks such as Purolator and Canada Post, global freight forwarders, and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, supported by hundreds of regional drayage and trucking specialists. The best choice depends on whether you need rail, road, ocean, parcel or warehousing services.
Key takeaways
- Rail: CN and CPKC move most long-distance container and bulk freight.
- Trucking: national groups offer scale; regional carriers offer local service.
- Forwarders and brokers handle international bookings and customs.
- Drayage specialists connect ports and rail terminals to warehouses. Find them in the ContainerIntermodal.ca directory.
Leading logistics companies by category
Railways
| Company | What they do |
|---|---|
| CN (Canadian National Railway) | Transcontinental network linking the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Montreal and Halifax with inland terminals and the US |
| CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) | Network across Canada, the US and Mexico, serving Vancouver, Montreal, Saint John and inland terminals |
Both run intermodal container services that most importers use for inland moves. See the intermodal transport directory.
Trucking and freight groups
- TFI International: truckload, LTL and logistics across North America
- Bison Transport: truckload, dedicated and intermodal
- TransX: truckload, intermodal and logistics
- Day & Ross: freight and logistics, strong in Atlantic Canada
- Mullen Group: network of trucking and logistics companies in Western Canada
- Groupe Robert: transportation and logistics in Eastern Canada
More in our guide to trucking companies in Canada.
Parcel and courier
- Purolator: national courier and freight
- Canada Post: national parcel network
- Global integrators such as FedEx, UPS and DHL also run Canadian operations.
Freight forwarders and customs brokers
Global forwarders such as Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Global Forwarding, DSV and Expeditors have Canadian offices, along with many Canadian-owned forwarders and brokers. See freight forwarders in Vancouver.
3PL and warehousing
Canadian and global 3PLs run distribution centres around the GTA, Montreal, Metro Vancouver and Calgary, offering storage, fulfilment and transloading.
Drayage specialists: the link between ports and warehouses
Large railways and forwarders rely on local drayage carriers for the first and last kilometres. Our directory lists these carriers by city:
How to pick among them
- Big providers suit high-volume shippers that need national coverage and one contract.
- Specialists often give faster responses and more flexible service for local and regional moves.
- Many shippers combine both: a national railway or forwarder for the long haul, and a local drayage carrier at each end.
Use our logistics provider checklist to compare them.
Frequently asked questions
Which company is the largest logistics company in Canada?
By network size, CN and CPKC are the largest rail logistics companies. In trucking, TFI International is generally considered the largest Canadian-based group.
What is a 3PL?
A third-party logistics provider handles outsourced logistics such as warehousing, fulfilment and transport management.
How do containers get from Canadian ports to inland cities?
Mostly by CN or CPKC intermodal trains, with drayage trucks at each end.
Do I need a freight forwarder or a trucking company?
For international shipments, a forwarder coordinates the whole move. For local or domestic moves, you can book a trucking or drayage company directly.
Where can I compare drayage carriers in Canada?
Browse the ContainerIntermodal.ca directory by city and request quotes from several carriers.