Richard;
As a Driver for a company based just outside Toronto I can tell now that there is a shortage of experienced drivers throughout Canada. My company and many others is always looking for someone they don't have to hold hands with. New drivers are okay but they play heck with the insurance of any company.
Right now my company hires experienced drivers at .41 to .44 Cents per mile with pickups and drops being 25-40 $ each depending on the type of trailer. You get paid to cross the border and you get extra for the exchange difference in currency. Paid waiting time is also done. Hourly is between 18.00 and 20.00 depending on what you are hauling around the city. Most drivers do a 600 mile radius of Toronto and are home weekends. At the end of the week you net about 1300.00cdn and once the government gets it's share you take home about 800.00.
Sounds like a recruiting line dosen't it. Anyway tell your friend to shop around for the best deal and keep his eyes out for a good health plan package. Many companies will hire you but then turn around and give you the screws.
If he wants a list of reputable companies have him drop me a line and I'll send them over including addresses.
Sean
sdunnage@rogers.com