The number of head office locations in Canada fell 0.3% in 2024, dropping from 2,875 to 2,865, according to new Statistics Canada data. Despite the decline in locations, head office employment grew 1.4% to 269,908 employees.
Ontario, Quebec and Alberta accounted for four in five head office employees nationally in 2024. Ontario held the largest share at 42.4%, followed by Quebec at 22.9% and Alberta at 15.0%.
Toronto led the country with 702 head offices employing 85,080 people. Montreal followed with 392 head offices and 46,063 employees, while Vancouver recorded 288 head offices and 25,066 employees. Calgary registered 221 head offices employing 29,824 people.
Head offices tracked by Statistics Canada include establishments primarily engaged in providing management or administrative support services to affiliated locations. These activities include strategic planning, communications, tax planning, legal services, marketing, finance, human resources and information technology services.
Economic uncertainty, shifting global trade dynamics and evolving workplace expectations shaped the operating environment for Canadian businesses in 2025, according to Statistics Canada. Organizations continue to reassess head office locations and long-term investment planning while balancing cost pressures and geopolitical considerations.
Detailed statistics for head offices in 2025 will be available following survey data collection in 2026. Statistics Canada revised data for 2022 and 2023 in the latest release.
