Transport Business Ideas You Can Start in Canada

99 ideas

These 99 transport ideas cover moving people, vehicles and belongings, and they range from small side projects to full operations with staff and equipment. Some are light to start, such as a small trailer hire from home or a private chauffeur for airport and event rides.

Swipe through these ideas →

1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k From home Out and about Own premises

Refrigerated lorry loading temperature-controlled food goods at a loading bay.

Owner-operator refrigerated truck

Haul full loads of chilled and frozen goods between cities in your own refrigerated truck or trailer.

C$120k-300k
Full-time
Out and about

Mechanic servicing an outboard engine in a boatyard workshop.

Mobile boat repair and maintenance

Travel to marinas, docks and driveways to service engines and fix fittings for boat owners.

C$5k-25k
Part-time
Out and about

Boat repair workshop with winter storage

Run a small rented workshop for engine, hull and fitting repairs, plus indoor winter work.

C$20k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Forklift moving pallets between tall shelving in a large storage warehouse.

Small pallet storage and handling warehouse

Lease a small industrial unit and rent out pallet space to local businesses that need storage.

C$8k-40k
Part-time
Own premises

Warehouse storage for online sellers

Store stock for small online brands and pack and ship their orders from a leased unit.

C$5k-30k
Part-time
Own premises

Removal workers carrying boxes and furniture into a house on a moving day.

Small-move van and helper service

Move apartments, student rooms and single items with a cargo van and a helper, charged by the hour.

C$5k-25k
Side hustle
Out and about

Moving labour helpers

Load and unload rental trucks and PODS for customers who drive themselves. No truck needed.

C$300-1.5k
Side hustle
Out and about

Full-service moving company with a truck

Run a small crew and a box truck for whole-home moves, with packing, loading and delivery.

C$25k-90k
Full-time
Out and about

Travel agent helping a customer book flights at a desk.

Home-based flight and travel booking advisor

Book flights and trips for friends, family and your community from home, working under an established host agency.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Neighbourhood travel agency storefront

Open a small street-front travel office selling flights and packages, especially to local communities with strong overseas ties.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Workers loading pallets of goods onto a delivery van at a warehouse.

Local business delivery service

Deliver goods from local suppliers and shops to businesses and households around your town with your own van.

C$3k-20k
Part-time
Out and about

Evening and weekend courier runs

Use your own car for scheduled pick-ups and drop-offs for local businesses in your spare hours.

C$300-2k
Side hustle
Out and about

Large lorry carrying freight loads driving along a motorway.

Owner-operator freight trucking

Run your own tractor and trailer, hauling loads for carriers, brokers or direct customers across your province or further.

C$25k-125k
Full-time
Out and about

Local straight truck freight service

Move pallets and goods around your region for local businesses using a straight truck or heavy-duty pickup and trailer.

C$15k-70k
Part-time
Out and about

Mechanic repairing a bicycle chain in a busy workshop.

Mobile bike mechanic

Fix and tune bikes at people's homes and workplaces from a van or cargo trailer.

C$1.5k-7k
Side hustle
Out and about

Home workshop bike repair

Repair and service bikes from your garage or shed, with drop-off and pick-up by appointment.

C$800-3.5k
Side hustle
From home

Neighbourhood bike repair shop

Rent a small unit and run a repair and servicing shop for local riders all year.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Motorboats lined up for sale at a dealer's marina yard.

Used boat buy-and-resell

Buy small used boats and trailers, tidy them up and sell them on to local buyers.

C$5k-25k
Side hustle
From home

Boat consignment seller

Sell boats for owners on commission, with no need to buy the stock yourself.

C$1k-6k
Side hustle
Online

A taxi waiting on a city street as a passenger gets in the back seat.

Lease-a-cab independent taxi driver

Lease a licensed cab from an existing company and keep your fares after the lease, with little upfront cash.

C$1k-4k
Side hustle
Out and about

Courier loading parcels into a delivery van ready for customer drop-offs.

Local courier for shops and offices

Deliver parcels, documents and orders across your town for local businesses, using your own car or van.

C$500-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

Bike and e-bike delivery for downtown businesses

Run quick, low-cost deliveries in a dense city centre by bike or e-bike for cafés, shops and offices.

C$300-8k
Side hustle
Out and about

Electric car plugged into a public charging station in a car park.

Level 2 EV charging at local host sites

Install a few pay-to-use chargers at a shop, motel or lot and earn from each charging session.

C$8k-40k
Side hustle
Own premises

Shared EV charging for condo and rental buildings

Install and run shared chargers in condo and apartment car parks, billing residents for the power they use.

C$10k-50k
Side hustle
Own premises

About these ideas

Others, like a waterfront boat and paddle rental base or a small commercial truck driving school, need more space, equipment and training. Start by thinking about what you already own, such as a vehicle or a licence, and how much risk you are comfortable carrying. Insurance, permits and seasonal demand shape almost every idea here, so check what applies in your province or city before spending money. Compare the ideas by startup cost, workload and how much of the year you can realistically earn.

More ideas

Questions

What licences and permits might I need for a transport business in Canada?

It depends on the idea and where you operate. Check your provincial licensing body and your municipality for rules on commercial driver classes, vehicle registration, for-hire or taxi-style permits, and business licences. Boat and tour services may have extra requirements.

How should I think about insurance for a transport business?

Standard personal vehicle cover often does not extend to paid or commercial use, so check this before you start. Ask a broker about commercial auto, liability and equipment cover, and whether renting vehicles or carrying passengers changes your policy or premiums.

Which transport ideas are easiest to start with a small budget?

Ideas that use something you already own, or need little equipment, tend to be lighter to start. Examples include small trailer hire or event valet parking. Still check insurance, local rules and whether demand is steady enough in your area before committing.