1 in 3 Canadians Plan to Find a New Job in 2026: Survey

One-third of employed Canadians plan to look for a new job in the first half of the new year, indicating job optimism is starting to rebound, a recent survey says.

The survey found that 33 percent of Canadian workers intend to change jobs in 2026, representing an increase from 26 percent in July, recruiting company Robert Half Canada said in a Dec. 10 press release.

The online survey conducted by Robert Half indicated that of those who intend to change jobs, 33 percent said better benefits and perks was their main motivator for looking for new jobs, while 31 percent said they were motivated by competitive pay.

Meanwhile, 23 percent said they found their current role had limited career advancement opportunities and they have decided to look elsewhere for positions with better opportunities.

“Many professionals chose not to make a job change throughout 2025, due to economic and global uncertainty, but signs of greater movement are showing as we enter 2026,” Robert Half Canada senior managing director Koula Vasilopoulos said in a Dec. 10 statement.

Vasilopoulos noted that workers value perks and benefits such as flexibility, competitive salaries, and career growth, and are feeling more inclined to change jobs in the new year, instead of remaining with organizations that are not providing these “essential elements.”

The survey found that workers who are most likely to search for a new job early next year include technology professionals, Gen Z workers, and working parents. Approximately 40 percent of workers in these categories said they would be looking to change jobs in 2026.

The survey was conducted in November and December 2025 and surveyed 1,480 working professionals aged 18 and older across Canada.

Despite wanting to find a new role, Robert Half says job seekers are still facing challenges.

In a separate survey conducted during the same time, Robert Half asked 350 unemployed job seekers across Canada over the age of 18 about the biggest challenges they face when looking for jobs. Approximately 61 percent said they expect their current job search to take longer than their last one.

Sixty-two percent of respondents said the top obstacle they face is too many applicants and competition for job positions, while 41 percent said they find it challenging to find a job that matches their workplace preference.

Meanwhile, 32 percent said they experience difficulty showcasing their qualifications, 31 percent said the hiring processes are lengthy, and 30 percent said their skills do not match the requirements on job postings.

“Job seekers are facing new challenges in the current landscape, and it may feel harder than ever to stand out in a crowded market,” Vasilopoulos said.

“Keeping skills current and prominently featured in applications, networking effectively, and researching areas of demand to focus the search can all help with landing the right opportunity.”

StatCan

Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey indicated Canada’s unemployment rate fell by 0.4 percentage points to 6.5 percent in November, with 54,000 jobs being created.

The report marked the second month in a row unemployment fell. September’s unemployment rate was at a high not seen since 2016, aside from the COVID-19 pandemic years, after increasing for most of 2025.

StatCan said employment growth was concentrated among youth, with 50,000 jobs added for those aged 15 to 24.

Employment gains were centred in health care and social services, accommodation and food services, and natural resources, while employment in wholesale and retail trade fell. Additionally, most of the job gains were concentrated in part-time work, with 63,000 part-time jobs added.

Matthew Horwood contributed to this report.