Canadian gig workers now earn more than a third (38 per cent) of their income from gig work, up from 15 per cent last year, according to a new survey by Securian Canada.
The survey, which polled more than 2,000 gig workers in Canada, found 18 per cent reported relying on gig work for their entire income, highlighting increased financial risk, while a quarter (24 per cent) said they use gig work to strengthen their financial future.
Read: 31% of Canadian employees rely on gig work to help cover expenses: survey
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of respondents said they participate in gig work to supplement their primary income because the cost of living is increasing in Canada. Just 20 per cent cited participation for personal enjoyment or as a hobby (down from 26 per cent in 2024) and 15 per cent cited supplementing their primary income to achieve additional financial goals or savings.
One in 10 (nine per cent) cited saving for a major life event as their primary reason, a percentage that increases to 17 per cent among Canadians aged 18 to 34.
When asked how important different types of insurance are to their overall financial security, 65 per cent of respondents cited health and dental insurance as very important (70 per cent of women and 61 per cent of men), followed by life insurance (39 per cent) and critical illness insurance (35 per cent).
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