Tech and IT Job Trends in Canada 2026: Hiring Trends
2026 Tech and IT job market in Canada trends
There continues to be a demand for skilled candidates in tech and IT across Canada to keep business-critical projects moving forward and enable companies to adapt to changing market conditions. According to the latest Robert Half Canada Demand for Skilled Talent Report, 48 per cent of technology and IT hiring managers plan to increase hiring in 2026 – with only 5 per cent of leaders citing they have the necessary headcount and skills already on their teams to accomplish targets this year.
Skills gaps on teams are having an impact on finance and accounting job market trends across Canada. 69 per cent of tech leaders surveyed say upskilling current employees is needed to meet their targets for the year. Teams are seeing the most evident skill gaps in the following areas:
AI and machine learning (42 per cent
IT governance and compliance (35 per cent)
IT operations, security and infrastructure (33 per cent)
In addition to technical skills needed in the era of AI in the workplace, employers are also looking for soft skills when it comes to IT and tech industry hiring. 67 per cent of tech leaders surveyed in the Demand for Skilled Talent Report, say critical thinking and problem solving is the top soft skill to complement AI, with 65 per cent citing adaptability and continuous learning. Other soft skills leaders noted to compliment AI were:
Creativity and innovation (61 per cent)
Communication (33 per cent)
Emotional intelligence (27 per cent)
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What hiring trends are impacting Canada’s tech sector?
Hiring managers in IT and tech across Canada have indicated their hiring plans for the first half of 2026:
48 per cent are planning to increase hiring
41 per cent are planning to increase contract hiring
50 per cent say hiring skilled talent is more difficult today compared to one year ago.
Strategic priorities for companies in 2026
During the first half of 2026, IT and tech leaders in Canada will be primarily focused on the below strategic priorities:
Security of IT systems and information
AI and ML integration
AI governance and ethics strategy
Data science, analytics and governance
Software engineering and development
Top trending skills for tech and IT job market
An analysis of Robert Half research and data found these are some of the most in-demand skills for IT and tech professionals:
.NET framework
Artificial intelligence (AI literacy)
Continuous integration
Cybersecurity
DevSecOps
Governance
Large language models (LLM)
Machine learning
For a full list of more skills and insights, read the full Demand for Skilled Talent report by Robert Half.
Robert Half has top tech candidates available for contract, permanent and remote positions. Browse candidates or contact us about your needs today.
Tech and IT job market in Canada 2026: FAQs
1. How does the IT job market in Canada compare to other countries?
The US has a larger IT job market with more tech giants and startups. Generally, IT professionals in the US command higher salaries than their Canadian counterparts, especially in major tech hubs like Silicon Valley. Contrasting against Europe, Canada is often perceived to offer a better work-life balance compared to some European countries, particularly in the Nordic nations. Canada also consistently ranks high in quality-of-life indices, which can be a draw for IT professionals. Comparing to Asia, salaries in Canada are generally higher than in many Asian countries, but the cost of living also varies significantly. While Canada has a strong presence in AI and cyber-security, Asian countries often excel in specific areas like software development and IT outsourcing.
For insights into the latest employment numbers across Canada, including the IT and technology job market, check out our Labour Market Overview page, which is updated monthly.
2. What are the emerging IT trends in Canada?
AI and machine learning are at the forefront of Canada's tech scene. With strong research institutions and a focus on talent development, the country is a leader in these fields. Demand for cyber-security professionals is increasing as organizations seek to protect sensitive data. And cloud adoption continues to accelerate as businesses in Canada seek flexibility, scalability, and cost savings.
3. What are the average salaries for IT professionals in Canada?
For the latest salaries of IT roles across Canada, consult the technology section of the 2026 Canada Salary Guide by Robert Half for more information. You can also read this article on the 15 highest paying IT jobs in Canada.
About the Demand for Skilled Talent report
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The Demand for Skilled Talent report by Robert Half is an authoritative source providing essential insights into 2026’s employment trends. This report has offered a deep dive into Canada’s hiring landscape for over a decade, spotlighting challenges and strategies to attract and retain talent in today’s job market. It explores what employees seek in their careers, identifies common recruitment errors and suggests solutions. The report spans sectors like finance and accounting, technology, marketing, legal, administrative and customer support and human resources, proving crucial for business leaders and managers.
Data methodology
The surveys cited were developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. Results may not total 100% due to rounding or allowing for multiple responses. Respondents included executives, hiring managers and workers from small (10-99 employees), midsize (100-999 employees) and large (1,000+ employees) businesses in private, publicly listed and public sector organizations across Canada.
Positions are categorized into 365+ job titles within Robert Half’s Salary Guide using a proprietary mapping methodology that employs state-of-the-art large language models. This dataset includes roles across the finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support and human resources professions.
