The gig economy in Canada is widely discussed and poorly understood, because most of the discussion runs on assumptions rather than data. This article collects the verified statistics from 2025 and 2026 surveys, states what each one actually says, and avoids the conclusions that the data does not support.

How many Canadians do gig work?

Estimates vary because the definition of “gig work” varies. The most cited recent figures:

• 11% of Canada’s workforce participates in some form of gig work (TransUnion Canada, May 2026, survey of 500 gig workers)
• 31% of Canadians have a side hustle (CanadiansinInternet.com report, citing Intuit QuickBooks data)
• 63% of gig workers also hold full-time employment — gig work supplements primary income rather than replacing it (TransUnion Canada, May 2026)

The 63% figure is the most important one, because it reframes the conversation. The typical Canadian gig worker is not a full-time freelancer. They are someone with a job who earns additional income through gig or service work on the side.

How much do gig workers earn?

The TransUnion study found that 39% of Canadian gig workers net $1,000 to $4,000 or more per month from gig work alone. Combined with primary employment income where applicable, gig work is a meaningful income source, not pocket money.

A Robert Half Canada survey (June 2026) of more than 1,500 employed Canadian professionals found that 44% plan to look for a new job in the next six months, up from 33% in the first half of 2026 and 26% a year ago. The top drivers: better benefits, career advancement, feeling underpaid, more flexibility, and more remote-work options.

That 44% is not a gig-work statistic specifically, but it tells you something about the labour market these workers are operating in: people are actively evaluating their options, and gig work is one of the alternatives they are considering.

Do gig workers pay their taxes?

An H&R Block Canada survey (March 2026) found that 29% of gig workers said they did not plan to report all their gig income. Since January 2024, digital platforms are required to report worker earnings directly to the CRA. The gap between what platforms report and what workers file is now visible to the tax system.

Can gig workers get credit?

The TransUnion study found that 34% of Canadian gig workers currently hold a mortgage, compared to 29% of the general population. However, nearly half of gig workers reported difficulty applying for credit, despite often having comparable or better credit profiles.

The paradox is that gig workers have the income but often lack the documentation format that lenders want — specifically, two years of CRA Notice of Assessment showing stable declared income. The challenge is administrative, not financial.

What this means for workers and employers

The data does not support the narrative that gig work is a fringe activity or a temporary stopgap. It is a structural part of the Canadian labour market, used predominantly to supplement primary income, and it is growing.

For workers, the implication is that documentation matters. Report your income, track your expenses, and build a visible professional record, because the systems around you — the CRA, lenders, clients — are increasingly expecting it.

For employers, the implication is that the workforce is more flexible and more available than traditional hiring channels suggest. Workers who are looking for additional income through gig work are often experienced, already employed, and motivated by the specific terms of the work rather than by desperation.

About Djobzy

Djobzy is a location-based work and services marketplace with live map discovery. It connects people who need work or services completed with workers, freelancers, professionals and service providers who can provide them locally or remotely. Users can find opportunities, hire help, offer services and build portable reputation through Djobzy’s Career Passport. Workers pay zero commission and keep 100% of the agreed worker price, while employer and client platform pricing applies.

The numbers say the opportunity is real. The next step is yours.

Whether you are looking for work, offering services, or hiring help, the Canadian gig economy is large enough and structured enough to support real income and real business outcomes. Start at www.djobzy.com.