The Best Cities to Find Remote Talent in Canada
In today's rapidly evolving labor landscape, remote work has become a dominant trend. Canada, with its diverse talent pool, offers a vast choice of cities that are ideal for finding remote talent. The country's thriving tech ecosystem, quality of life, and favorable immigration policies make it an attractive destination for remote workers and businesses seeking remote talent. This article explores cities across Canada and other demographic hubs to find the best places in Canada for remote talent. In comparing and reviewing the Canadian cities, we have taken into account factors such as job opportunities, cost of living, and lifestyle.
With over 5 million Canadians that reportedly worked from home during the pandemic [1], Canada offers a qualified talent pool. In today’s times, approximately 40% of Canadian jobs are achievable from home[2], creating the new dynamic of how businesses, and cities, adapt to this major change in demographics and workforce behavior. In fact, according to a Randstad study, there is an increasing number of jobs that are likely to become remote, especially in the tech industry, finance, sales, marketing, human resources, and management.[3]
Defining Remote Workforce
Before identifying the best regions for remote workforces in Canada, we need to establish what kind of workforce can be “remote”. As a rule, remote workers need to work off-site which excludes all production related jobs and some service jobs requiring on-site presence such as those in the medical field, education, and distribution. Essentially, remote work applies to workers in “white collar” fields.
Remote work also implies that workers engaged in it are mobile; they can choose their location. In effect, white collar workers can look at factors related to quality of life, taxation, housing costs, schools, commuting times, etc. Cities and sub-urban areas that can bring great quality of life while offering low costs are very attractive for remote workers.
Despite having a huge pool of remote workers, businesses generally opt for a hybrid model. During the months of April and May this past year, the IFO institute observed that Canada is one of the countries with the highest average of remote workers: 1.7 days per week[4].
Quality of Life as a Determining Factor for Remote Workers
According to a study conducted in July 2021, out of 75 of the largest cities from the world’s most populous countries,[5] Canadian cities including Montréal, Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa were among this group in terms of ranking relating to quality of life .[6] Aspects for the ranking included Quality of Life (English language proficiency, healthcare, travel time within the city, respect for human rights), Climate and Environment (sunny days, average temperature, green spaces and pollution), and Costs and Safety (costs for international schools, safety, affordable housing). [7]The periphery of these cities, their “extended suburbia,” is also likely to attract remote workers that want to avoid traffic and have access to larger, cheaper homes.
[2] Working from Home Statistics in Canada for 2023 - Made in CA
[3] Top 10 Remote Jobs in Canada for 2023 | Randstad Canada.
[4] Canadians work from home more often than employees in other countries: survey | National Post
[5] WORKATION Index (preply.com)
Toronto
Toronto, Ontario, stands out as an energetic metropolis and a major hub for remote talent in Canada. Its diverse and highly educated workforce makes it a top choice for businesses seeking skilled professionals. Toronto's numerous coworking spaces and tech incubators foster innovation and collaboration among remote workers. However, with its cost of living being relatively high, ranking it 47th in the world, businesses need to consider providing competitive compensation packages for a hybrid model, but also consider adopting a remote or hybrid model across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Toronto being the fourth largest metropolitan area in North America houses a significant pool of workers from a variety of industries. Ranked third among North American cities for traffic delays, data collected in 2022 shows that drivers in the Greater Toronto Area lose 118 hours in traffic jams, representing the sharpest increase in the number of hours lost to traffic jams since 2021, with a variation of 59% compared to the previous year. Thus, due to the high level of traffic alone, GTA workers are more inclined to choose locations further and further from the city center and opt for hybrid or even fully remote workstations to avoid traffic congestion.
Vancouver
On the West Coast, Vancouver, British Columbia, offers an appealing blend of natural beauty and remote work opportunities. The city's mild climate, stunning landscapes, and outdoor recreational activities attract remote workers seeking a balanced lifestyle. Vancouver's technology sector is thriving, with a focus on sustainability and green tech. The city's diverse population contributes to its cosmopolitan atmosphere, making it a hotspot for global talent and ranking it 36th out 75 largest metropolises. Despite high housing costs, Vancouver remains an attractive destination for remote workers who prioritize quality of life. Despite having a high percentage of companies adopting long-term remote work policies, some companies are pushing forward a hybrid approach which brings employees to look for other opportunities, seeking for more remote work flexibility.
Montréal
Montréal, in Quebec, combines rich history and culture with a growing technology industry, making it a great city to find remote talent. The city's English/French bilingualism and cultural diversity foster creativity and innovation. Businesses looking for remote talent can benefit from the pool of skilled professionals graduating from prestigious institutions such as McGill University and Université de Montréal. According to a survey from the Montréal Chamber of Commerce, around 30% of employees have high hopes of staying remote. In comparison, the rate for Canadian workers to be primarily remote was around 6% prior to the pandemic. During Covid-19, working from home became mandatory, however in 2022, around 70% of businesses adopted a hybrid work policy which made Montréal one of the less remote working cities in Canada. Despite being one of the less remote working cities, Montréal was ranked 27th due to its low cost and safety drivers.
Ottawa
As Canada's capital city, Ottawa, Ontario, is an ideal location for businesses seeking remote talent with a focus on government, technology, and innovation. Ottawa is home to numerous federal agencies and tech companies, making it a hub for professionals in these fields. The city boasts a relatively low cost of living which is particularly attractive to remote workers. Ranked 9th out of the 75 cities in this study, Ottawa, due to its high quality of life, positioned itself first in Canada.
Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, is another city that is gaining popularity as a destination for remote talent. Known for its strong energy sector, the city has been diversifying its economy in recent years making it more appealing to professionals in various industries. The cost of living is reasonable, and the city offers a high standard of living with excellent healthcare, education, and cultural amenities. The recent growth in coworking spaces and tech incubators has made it easier for remote workers to collaborate and network. As an emerging city in the clean technologies sector, Alberta’s largest city is becoming Canada’s clean tech innovation hub.
Conclusion
There might be a silver lining with the transition towards remote work. The increase in telework during the pandemic demonstrated a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the considerable reduction in traffic congestions.[1][2]In cities like Vancouver, Montréal and Toronto, workers experience the largest commuting time savings, standing at an average of 65 minutes for these 3 Canadian hubs[3].
Canada's diverse cities offer a range of opportunities for businesses to find remote talent. Whether in the tech industry or finance, these Canadian cities provide a favorable environment for remote work. As remote work continues to flourish, Canada remains a prime destination for both businesses and talent looking to make their mark in the global job market.
[1] The Daily — Study: Working from home: Potential implications for public transit and greenhouse gas emissions (statcan.gc.ca).
[3] Aksoy, Barrero, Bloom, Davis, Dolls, Zarate – How Remote-Working Canadians Use Commute Time Savings | C.D. Howe Institute | Canada Economy News | Canadian Government Policy (cdhowe.org)
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