Express survey: 50% of Canadian firms build contract workers into staffing strategy, 72% of hiring managers likely to hire

An Express Employment Professionals survey found 50% of Canadian companies build contract workers into staffing strategies and 72% of hiring managers are likely to hire contract talent. 69% of organizations have used contract workers and 38% currently do. The survey covered 508 hiring decision-makers and 508 job seekers in May-June 2026; 55% of job seekers have worked as contractors. New equal-pay provisions for temporary and agency workers under the Canada Labour Code took effect Oct. 20, 2026. Canada's unemployment rate rose to 6.7% in October.