Diesel prices rose to the top spot from the 17th most prominent issue last year, with truck drivers included in the survey flagging it as their chief concern for the first time ever.
Heightened trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have exacerbated a longer-term decline in Canadian vehicle production due in part to labor and other fixed costs.
VaultCo is in discussions with more than 70 firms across both the supply and demand sides of the critical minerals market to participate in the initiative.