Biggest Industries by Employment in Canada in 2026

• 1. Full-Service Restaurants in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 648,655

  Full-service restaurants in Canada have staged a strong rebound from their pandemic lows, but elevated inflation, rising costs and shifting consumer behaviour are now slowing the pace of growth. The industry remains on a growth trajectory in both historical and forecast terms, yet restaurants face persistent pressure on profitability and demand. Overall, industry revenue has expanded at a CAGR of 9.8% to C$47.2 billion over the five years to 2025, including a 0.2% decline in 2025 alone.

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• 2. Hospitals in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 642,302

  Hospitals, serving as the primary providers of specialized and emergency medical services, are the most significant portion of health care spending in 2024, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). Hospitals treat patients regardless of economic circumstances, but income growth and universal insurance coverage have made elective care more accessible to a broader population. While the pandemic's sudden impact left hospitals to face unprecedented challenges to finances...

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• 3. IT Consulting in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 495,187

  The rapid pace of technological change propelled the IT Consulting industry in Canada, with the prevalence of cloud-based services, mobile apps and other cutting-edge software fueling spending across the economy. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) technology joins the long list of cutting-edge trends fueling need for IT consultants across various sectors. The Canadian government is simultaneously bolstering the industry with its large-scale investments, announcing a $2.0 billion inves...

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• 4. Supermarkets & Grocery Stores in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 434,296

  Supermarkets and grocery stores have faced major volatility through the current period, forcing notable strategic operational and pricing shifts to compete with a widening array of substitutes and internal competitors. Grocers first encountered unprecedented demand as lockdowns redirected consumers' spending from entertainment to at-home essentials. Sales spiked, but the boom was fleeting. At the start of the period, factors like declining disposable income and soaring food prices reversed th...

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• 5. Fast Food Restaurants in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 399,773

  Canadian fast food restaurants have experienced significant growth over the past five years, primarily driven by increased consumer spending and innovative product offerings. However, this growth was constrained by high internal...

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• 6. Colleges & Universities in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 341,951

  Colleges and universities in Canada have seen significant shifts in funding sources in recent years. While provincial government funding continues to account for a larger share of their revenue, the federal government's significant increase in higher education funding has benefited universities, especially those with extensive research and development initiatives. This federal support helped offset inconsistent provincial funding, which has ranged from lacklustre to significant between provin...

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• 7. Pharmacies & Drug Stores in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 340,060

  Canadian pharmacies and drug stores have been experiencing moderate volatility. Drug stores have benefitted from growing health-related expenditures, with prescription medications remaining popular among consumers. Although increasing pharmaceutical prices have bolstered revenue, many provincial drug programs restricted prescription prices to cut healthcare costs, requiring generic drugs to be marked down by a percentage of the patented drug equivalent, which limits revenue growth and prevent...

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• 8. Commercial Banking in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 306,047

  The high interest rate environment experienced over the five years to 2025, along with overall economic growth, has benefitted the Commercial Banking industry in Canada. Banks have done an exceptional job diversifying revenue streams, due to higher interest rates and despite increasing regulations. The industry primarily generates revenue through interest income sources, such as business loans and mortgages, but it also generates income through noninterest sources, which include fees on a var...

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• 9. Engineering Services in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 205,360

  The Canadian Engineering Services industry has navigated a tumultuous yet resilient period, facing challenges from fluctuating commodity prices and rapid technological competition. Public infrastructure spending and a rebound in resource‑related work have offset pockets of weakness in private investment. Firms have increased their reliance on clients in resource extraction and infrastructure, particularly in Alberta and Ontario, while also diversifying into higher‑value advisory, operations a...

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• 10. Day Care in Canada

  Employment number for 2026: 191,950

  Day care centres in Canada continue to serve a central role in supporting families and the broader economy, shaped by rising workforce participation among parents and growing demand for early learning opportunities. In recent years, the need for accessible, quality services has propelled enrollment to record highs, with nearly 1.1 million children enrolled as of 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic figures. Government initiatives, such as the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) progra...

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