Nearly One-Quarter of Canadians Work in the Gig Economy: Poll
A recent report from insurance provider Securian Canada reveals a significant trend among Canadians turning to gig work as a means to supplement their income amid rising living costs. The poll, conducted in collaboration with the Angus Reid Institute, indicates that nearly 25% of respondents are engaged in gig work, which is characterized by short-term jobs or tasks that do not provide steady employment.
This shift toward gig employment suggests that traditional jobs may be struggling to keep pace with financial pressures, prompting many to seek additional income sources. Cheryl Loh, a freelance graphic designer from Vancouver, exemplifies this trend. She transitioned from the traditional workforce to freelance graphic design, stating, “I get to determine how I spend my day, and there’s no limit to the income I want to make. It’s all up to me.”
Initially, Loh entered the gig economy to pursue a passion project of designing greeting cards, which she sold in her spare time. However, during the pandemic, she shifted her focus to freelance work, finding that it has become more profitable than a standard full-time job. “It’s very difficult for me to imagine going back to a traditional job because I feel like I have so much more ownership of my time,” she noted.
Statistics Canada defines gig workers as individuals engaged in casual work arrangements with employers, such as short-term contracts or specific task agreements, often facilitated through apps for ride-hailing and food delivery services. The Securian survey, which involved 1,515 Canadians from the Angus Reid Forum, sought to determine how many individuals earn income outside of conventional employer-employee relationships.
“This is a rapidly emerging segment of the workforce that isn’t well understood,” commented Nigel Branker, CEO of Securian Canada. The survey revealed that younger individuals are more likely to participate in gig work, with 30% of respondents aged 18 to 34 engaged in the gig economy. Conversely, only 16% of those over 55 reported participation.
Additionally, the survey highlighted disparities among racialized populations, with 32% of racialized respondents participating in gig work compared to 20% of white respondents. A follow-up survey of 505 Canadian gig workers found that 30% offered specialized services such as consulting or photography, while 26% sold items on platforms like Amazon or Etsy, and 21% provided freelance services like graphic design or tutoring. Notably, food delivery workers made up 8% of respondents, and ride-hailing drivers constituted 3%.
Branker expressed surprise at the number of gig workers also holding traditional jobs, noting that over half of those surveyed indicated they took on gig work alongside a full-time or part-time position.
Source: Swifteradio
