Share of Canadian workers in the gig economy rises to 10%; Government report collects comments for future protection measures

March 29, 2023

The proportion of Canadian workers participating in gig work rose from 5.5% in 2005 to 10% in 2020, according to the statistic in a report released by Canada’s Labor Minister Seamus O’Reagan Jr. last week . The report also cited data from Statistics Canada that about 250,000 Canadians were doing gig work across digital platforms in 2022; Ride-sharing and delivery services were the most common types of work.

O’Regan’s report includes comments from employers, unions, workers’ groups, indigenous groups and others. The government intends to take the report into account in its efforts to protect gig workers.

“The nature of work is changing, so Canada’s Labor Code needs to change,” O’Reagan said. “Gig workers are workers. You deserve protection.”

According to the report, the term “gig worker” describes workers who “enter into more casual work arrangements, such as short-term contracts, with companies or individuals to perform specific, and often one-off, tasks.”

Commentators in the report noted that the challenges of gig work include misclassification of independent contractors, low wages, risk of non-payment, unpredictable schedules and earnings, risk of unsafe working conditions, and limited access to dispute resolution.

On the other hand, the advantages include flexibility and freedom.

The report, entitled What We Heard: Report on Developing Greater Health and Safety for Gig Workers, is available online.

O’Reagan also noted that the Economic Statement 2022 case proposed $26.3 million over five years to help fight misclassification of independent contractors in the road haulage industry.

Separately, business groups in British Columbia warned that regulation of the gig economy could destroy them, The Tyee reported.