Remote Work in Canada: What Employers Expect Now

For a while it felt like we were free from the burdens traffic jams and crowded subways and days spent in cramped cubicles.

I remember one glorious winter, taking Zoom meetings from a beach in Mexico, my plate of tacos and ice-cold margarita just offscreen. Ah, do you ever wonder if we’ll realize we’re in the good years while we’re living them?

Fast forward to 2026 and we are in a very different place. I, for example, am not on a beach in Mexico, but rather am working from the frigid winter wonderland of Montreal. Remote work is still a part of the job market, but it is not nearly as widespread as it was during the pandemic. Many employers in Canada are moving back toward in-office work, and that shift has a real impact on job seekers, especially newcomers trying to understand what to expect in Canadian jobs.

This article breaks down where Canada is now with remote work, what employers want these days, and practical steps you can take if you want to find a remote job.

Where Canada is at with Remote Work in 2026

The rise and fall of remote work in Canada has been striking. During the pandemic, the share of people working mostly from home shot up above 40 percent. In the years since, that number has fallen steadily. By mid-2025, about 17.4 percent of employed Canadians were “mostly working from home,” down from closer to 24 percent several years earlier.

Employers are not rejecting flexible work entirely, but the balance has shifted. Some employers offer hybrid work arrangements, while others have gone back to in-office work full-time. By late 2025, roughly 28 percent of new Canadian job postings were hybrid while only 11 percent were fully remote.

Remote jobs are still out there, but they are rarer and more competitive than before.

Why Employers Are Tightening Remote Work Policies

During the pandemic, remote work was safer and more broadly supported by employers because labour was in high demand – going into the pandemic, it was a job seekers’ market. Now the market has shifted. There are more applicants per job, and employers feel they have the upper hand in setting policies. Many employers say they want more in-person collaboration for culture, innovation, and onboarding.

At the same time, many employers aren’t going back to 2019 norms either. Hybrid options remain common, especially for roles where teamwork and client interactions are important. The bottom line is that work arrangements are now a negotiation of business needs and candidate preferences, but the power balance is tilted toward employers in today’s tight job market.

What Employers Expect from Remote Work Now

If you’re looking for remote or hybrid work, it helps to understand what employers expect from remote workers in 2026.

1. Trust and performance

Employers are more comfortable offering flexible work when they trust that productivity will stay strong without supervision. This means showing consistent output, clear communication, and accountability.

(Look, I may have spent a month working from a beach in Mexico, but you better believe that I got all my work done. Those offscreen tacos fuelled my work!)

2. Strong communication skills & tech literacy

Remote work relies heavily on written and virtual communication. If you want to work remotely, you need to be an expert in Zoom, Teams, Slack, Google Calendar, or whichever remote collaboration tools your employer uses.

3. Time-zone alignment

Most teams want employees working within similar timezones so meetings and coordination are easier. If you’re looking to work remotely but in a vastly different time zone, your employer might worry about availability.

4. Professional presence

Even remote workers are expected to show up for meetings, participate actively, and represent the company professionally online. Remote work isn’t a free pass; it comes with expectations.

(What does this mean for you? Always remember to keep the margarita out of frame during your Zoom calls. Your coworker in the wintery tundra of Montreal will appreciate it, I promise!)

So You Want a Remote Job? Here’s How to Go After One

1. Brace yourself for competitiveness

Because fully remote roles are rarer now, they attract a ton of applicants. You should be ready for higher standards and tougher competition. Remote and hybrid jobs often receive hundreds of high-quality applications from all across the country.

2. Research employer policies before you apply

Some employers are clear about their remote work policies. Larger corporations, government agencies, and unionized workplaces often have defined expectations for in-office work. Other companies advertise hybrid or remote options explicitly.

Before you apply, check:

• The company’s careers page
• Job posting language about work location
• Glassdoor or similar review sites for employee feedback

Doing this research first helps you tailor your application and avoid disappointment later by only focusing on companies who offer what you’re looking for.

3. Consider smaller companies and tech startups

Smaller employers and tech startups are often more flexible with remote arrangements. These companies may be willing to negotiate hours or work-from-home days, especially if you bring skills they value.

Startups often emphasize outcomes over office location, but remember that flexibility can comes with its own challenges. During my stints of remote work, I often found myself missing the creative output that I got while working through a problem with my colleagues in person.

4. Advocate for yourself in the hiring process, but be realistic

If you know a company offers remote or hybrid work, it’s okay to ask about it during interviews. A good way to approach the topic is to ask about the company’s expectations for in-person meetings.

Avoid asking remote work before you have an offer. Let the company feel like they’re leading the process, then present your requests during the job offer negotiation.

A practical line might be something like: “I noticed this role mentions flexibility. Could you tell me how your team balances remote and in-office work?” This will help you better understand the expectations.

You can make it to the beach, baby!

You want to be working from the beach? It’s doable. But you need to be prepared for a rigorous job-hunting process. Be ready for more competition and be sure you do your homework before applying. Research company policies, make sure you can advocate for your ability to work independently, and be strategic about how you bring up flexibility in interviews.

Remote work can still be part of your career journey in Canada – you just need to approach it with realistic expectations.

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