2026 Canada human resources hiring trends

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3.2%* December 2025 unemployment rate

The human resources function is operating in a more complex environment, shaped by changing workforce expectations and rapid technology adoption. HR leaders are focused on building stronger teams and improving performance while also managing compliance and daily operations.

The role of HR has become more key to business success. Organizations rely on this department to find and recruit professionals with specialized expertise when and where it’s needed while strengthening staffing strategies and building skills internally. Technology and automation are central to HR’s larger role, but critical thinking, adaptability and effective leadership remain crucial.

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Strategic priorities for 2026

HR leaders shared their strategic priorities for 2026. Expect demand—and competition—to increase for professionals with the specialized skills needed to advance these critical initiatives.

Implementing or optimizing HR technology, automation and analytics

Improving performance management and productivity

Hiring and retaining skilled talent

Planning for future workforce needs and developing relevant skills

Implementing skills-based hiring and development frameworks

HR teams face skills shortfalls that can stall critical initiatives. Only 5% of leaders reported having the necessary headcount and skill sets to accomplish priority projects this year, and 65% said they need to upskill current team members.

Flexible staffing solutions can also help teams gain the necessary expertise to keep operations running smoothly.

AI
literacy Soft skills
and leadership
capabilities Learning
and
development Operations
(HRIS) Recruitment AI
literacy Soft skills
and leadership
capabilities Learning
and
development Operations
(HRIS) Recruitment

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Critical
thinking and
problem solving Creativity and
innovation Adaptability
and continuous
learning Communication Emotional
intelligence Critical
thinking and
problem solving Creativity and
innovation Adaptability
and continuous
learning Communication Emotional
intelligence

Skills in highest demand

Recruiting professionals with specialized abilities enables leaders to advance strategic initiatives. An analysis of thousands of job postings over the past year shows which technical proficiencies employers value most in human resources—making a competitive hiring strategy essential.

Benefits administration

Compensation

Employee onboarding

HRIS software

People analytics/data literacy

Recruitment

Team management

Workday

Hiring plans for 2026

46%

of HR leaders said finding skilled talent is more difficult today than a year ago.

62%

expect to increase permanent headcount in the first half of the year.

54%

plan to increase contract hiring.

Roles shaping hiring strategies

The following positions have experienced above-average sequential growth and consistent demand throughout the past 12 months, according to an analysis of thousands of job postings and Robert Half placements:

HR assistant

HR business partner

HR manager

Learning & development manager

Recruiter

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More to explore

Labour market overview Stay on top of Robert Half and Statistics Canada job posting data to learn about today’s hiring market.

Staffing for small businesses Stay competitive in today’s hiring landscape with trends and strategies specifically tailored for small businesses.

2026 Canada Salary Guide Explore the latest data for roles across 6 professional fields and what you should pay or earn in local and national markets.

In-demand HR roles Dive deeper into the human resources roles most in demand. Also learn what proficiencies and skills are growing in demand.

*Statistics Canada, seasonally adjusted, January 2026.

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.

Over 650,000 new positions from more than 4,900 independent job boards and company websites are represented in this report, including thousands of placements from Robert Half. Positions are categorized into more than 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.