Half of Canadian Firms Build Contract Workers Into Staffing
A new Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll survey finds contract labour is becoming a standard part of Canadian hiring strategies.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Employment
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Do you think contract work is getting better or worse for workers in your area?
Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll released a survey finding that 50% of Canadian companies build contract workers into their staffing strategies. The findings are based on responses from 508 Canadian hiring decision-makers.
Why it matters
Hiring managers report reliance on contract workers is growing, with 72% likely to hire them in the future and 71% calling them critical to responding to uncertainty. For Canadian employers and job seekers, the findings point to contract work as a durable part of the labour market rather than a temporary stopgap.
The Job Insights survey of 508 Canadian hiring decision-makers, fielded May 15 to June 1, 2026, found 38% currently employ contract workers and 69% have done so before. Hiring managers estimate contractors complete an average of 10% of work at Canadian companies, but the survey does not show how that share has shifted over recent years.
The players
Express Employment Professionals
Express Employment Professionals is a large North American staffing firm that commissioned the survey and publishes its Canada Employed series of workforce research.
The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is a market research firm that conducted the online survey of Canadian hiring managers and job seekers on behalf of Express Employment Professionals.
The details
Express Employment Professionals and The Harris Poll surveyed Canadian hiring managers and job seekers in May and June 2026. Among job seekers, 55% said they had worked as contractors, and 65% of those not currently in a contract role expressed at least some interest in one.
Timeline
May 15 to June 1, 2026: Hiring manager survey fieldwork conducted.
May 19 to June 8, 2026: Job seeker survey fieldwork conducted.
Fall 2026: Hiring managers planned temporary or contract hiring, with 22% reporting such plans.
November 11, 2026: Survey results publicly released.
Employment Trend
The findings extend Express Employment Professionals' Canada Employed series, which tracks Canadian workforce trends, by focusing on the growing role of contract labour in staffing plans. Contract work appears to be moving from a supplementary option toward a core part of how Canadian firms manage uncertainty.
For Canadian job seekers, the survey suggests contract roles are a common route into work, with 55% reporting past contract experience and many open to more. Workers weighing contract offers should consider how temporary arrangements may affect benefits, job security and long-term career planning.
The takeaway
Contract work is becoming a standing part of Canadian hiring rather than an emergency measure. Job seekers exploring contract roles should compare pay, benefits and the length of each assignment before deciding.
Further reading
Explore more on Employment trends across the country.
More information
Find the latest Canada Employed series research and workforce trends on the Express Employment Professionals newsroom.
Live Poll
Do you think contract work is getting better or worse for workers in your area?
