Canadian businesses are entering 2026 facing widening skills gaps, with only five per cent of organizations reporting they have the necessary skills and headcount to complete high-priority projects, according to new research from Robert Half.
Of the 1,500 hiring managers surveyed, nearly six in 10 reported having skills gaps in their department, and 58 per cent said the gap is more noticeable than it was one year ago.
The survey, conducted by an independent research firm in November 2025, included hiring managers in finance and accounting, technology, marketing and creative, legal, administrative and customer support, and HR across Canada.
Skills shortages widespread across sectors
Only a small percentage of managers across professional fields reported having all the talent needed to complete priority projects. Less than one per cent of legal managers said they have sufficient talent, followed by two per cent in marketing and creative, and five per cent each in technology and human resources.
Finance and accounting managers reported the highest readiness at nine per cent, while administrative and customer support managers reported eight per cent.
Top skills gap areas varied by sector. In finance and accounting, organizations are seeking financial planning and analysis expertise, technology and automation skills, and data analytics capabilities. Technology departments need AI and machine learning, IT governance and compliance, and IT operations and infrastructure support.
Marketing and creative teams require SEO and paid search skills, AI and machine learning applications, and marketing automation expertise. Legal departments are looking for legal technology and AI tools, legal operations and workflows, and legal research and analysis capabilities.
Organizations blending permanent and contract hiring
Despite skills gaps, nearly eight in 10 managers are confident in their business outlook for the first half of 2026, according to Robert Half. Some 55 per cent of hiring managers plan to add permanent employees, while half expect to bring on more contract talent to address immediate skills gaps and maintain flexibility during the first half of the year.
Hiring plans show an increase from 2025, when 46 per cent of managers planned to add positions, and match 2024 levels of 54 per cent.
“Companies are increasingly dependent on specialized expertise to deliver results, yet the hiring landscape has become far more complex, especially with the rapid adoption of AI,” said Koula Vasilopoulos, senior managing director at Robert Half Canada. “Blending full-time hiring with contract support enables companies to address urgent skills shortages, stay adaptable, and maintain momentum on high-priority projects in a labour market that’s evolving faster than ever.”
AI-generated applications complicating hiring process
While hiring plans are strong, the process itself is becoming more difficult. Some 53 per cent of managers said finding skilled talent has become more challenging in the last year, with AI contributing to the problem.
According to the research, 64 per cent reported challenges identifying the right talent due to the influx of AI-generated applications. As generative AI tools enable candidates to produce highly polished resumes, applications and work samples, employers are spending more time validating qualifications and job readiness, adding friction to the hiring process and increasing the risk of misalignment.
