A surge in hiring within the healthcare sectors of Alberta and Ontario has been a significant contributor to the national job market in Canada. This growth, primarily in public healthcare institutions, has added over 100,000 new jobs in the two provinces since the onset of the U.S. trade war. The increase aligns with boosted funding allocated to the healthcare sector in the provincial budgets.
According to a report by Desjardins Group analyzing Statistics Canada data, both Alberta and Ontario planned substantial increases in healthcare spending in 2026 compared to the previous year. Ontario budgeted $91.5 billion for healthcare, while Alberta allocated $24 billion.
Desjardins’ deputy chief economist, Randall Bartlett, highlighted that without the healthcare hiring, the overall employment scenario in Canada would have remained stagnant. This underlines that claims of a robust Canadian economy may not be entirely accurate.
Recent data from the Labour Force Survey reveals that since March 2025, nearly 133,000 jobs were created in the healthcare and social assistance sector nationwide, with a notable emphasis on hospitals and services for the elderly, surpassing job growth in other sectors combined.
The concentrated hiring reflects the commitment of Alberta and Ontario to bolster public healthcare through increased spending. However, experts caution that merely expanding the workforce and healthcare spending does not automatically translate to enhanced patient services.
Fiona Clement, Director of the Centre for Health Policy at the University of Calgary’s Cummings School of Medicine, emphasized that not all healthcare jobs directly impact patient care. While job growth is evident, data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta indicates minimal growth in the number of physicians in the province.
The increased healthcare labor spending in Alberta and Ontario could be compensating for previous slow hiring, with some funds allocated for wage increases for existing workers. Additionally, preparations for upcoming demographic shifts, such as retirements of a significant number of healthcare professionals, could be driving the hiring surge.
Healthcare spending typically rises over time due to increasing demand with population growth. The evolving healthcare landscape presents a complex scenario, with various factors influencing hiring patterns and service delivery across different regions and healthcare facilities.
While per capita healthcare spending growth appears substantial, experts caution that it may not always align with improved healthcare outcomes. The focus should be on designing systems that deliver better value rather than solely increasing spending. Looking ahead, Desjardins foresees the hiring trend in healthcare to continue, with ongoing demands likely sustaining the need for increased spending in the sector.