A surge in hiring within the health-care sectors of Alberta and Ontario has been the driving force behind Canada’s job market growth, reflecting the overall economic landscape’s sluggishness rather than direct improvements in patient care. According to a recent report by Desjardins Group analyzing Statistics Canada data, the two provinces have collectively added over 100,000 health-care positions in public institutions since the onset of the U.S. trade war. This trend aligns with the increased funding allocated to the sector in their respective budgets.
Desjardins’ examination of provincial budget documents reveals that both Alberta and Ontario budgeted significantly more for health care in 2026 compared to the previous year. Ontario earmarked $91.5 billion for health expenditures, while Alberta allocated $24 billion. Without this influx of health-care hires, the Canadian job market would have remained relatively stagnant, according to Desjardins’ deputy chief economist Randall Bartlett, suggesting that claims of a robust economy may be somewhat misleading.
Data from the Labour Force Survey indicates a notable increase in health-care and social assistance jobs since March 2025, with a focus on hospitals and services for the elderly. This hiring spree outweighed job growth in all other sectors combined.
The targeted recruitment in Alberta and Ontario underscores their commitment to bolstering public health care via increased spending, aiming to enhance the health-care system. However, experts caution that simply expanding job numbers and financial investments in health care do not guarantee improved patient services.
Fiona Clement, from the Centre for Health Policy at the University of Calgary, emphasizes that not all health-care jobs directly impact patient care, highlighting that overall job growth may include administrative or support roles. Despite this growth, data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta indicates a lack of substantial increases in physician numbers in the province.
These hiring initiatives may also be a response to anticipated demographic shifts, as a significant number of health professionals are expected to retire in the coming years. The continuous rise in health-care spending is a norm due to increasing demand driven by population growth, with spending typically outpacing economic growth rates.
Looking ahead, Desjardins foresees the hiring trend persisting in the foreseeable future, with Alberta and Ontario planning additional health-care spending in the coming years. This sustained growth is attributed to various factors, including an aging population, indicating a continued need for health-care workforce expansion.
