Holiday Hiring Makes a Comeback Across Canada This Winter

And for newcomers, IEC workers, and people on temporary permits trying to break into the workforce, this change, while modest, is genuinely meaningful. Let’s break down what’s going on, why it matters, and where you might fit in.

Seasonal Job Postings Are Rising, even in a Flat Labour Market

Overall, job postings in Canada haven’t grown much this year. They’ve basically stayed flat. But holiday hiring? That’s a different story. 

According to Indeed Hiring Lab: 

• Holiday job postings were up 12% year-over-year in early November.

• They’re still below 2023 (-8%) and far below 2022 (-35%), but the downward slide finally stopped.

• The seasonal share of total job postings rose from 1.23% to 1.34%, the first increase since 2022. 

That might sound like a small jump, but workers feel it. When total hiring stalls, even a modest rise in seasonal demand can open real doors, especially for people who’ve been struggling to get Canadian experience or find their first job here. 

Newcomers and IEC workers tend to shine in seasonal roles because employers are often more flexible on experience, schedules, and background. 

But Small Businesses Aren’t Expanding Hiring 

While Indeed’s data points to a modest rise in seasonal hiring, another piece of the picture comes from small businesses themselves. According to a recent Merchant Growth survey, many small retailers and hospitality operators are feeling the strain of higher wages, rent, and operating costs. In a recent survey, 76% of small companies said they don’t plan to hire any seasonal staff this year, and another portion expect to hire fewer workers than usual. 

This doesn’t cancel out the broader increase in seasonal postings, but it does show a split in the market. Large employers and national chains are driving most of the increased hiring, while smaller businesses are entering the season more cautiously. 

Why Holiday Hiring Is Rebounding Across Canada 

The Hiring Lab analysis points to brick-and-mortar retail having a solid year of customer spending, and the shift toward online shopping has slowed down. E-commerce has basically held steady at around 6% of retail sales, instead of climbing sharply like it used to. 

Meaning that stores need people to handle customers, returns, stocking, cashier shifts, and everything else that makes the holiday season tick. 

Job Seekers Are Looking Harder for Seasonal Work 

On the flip side, more Canadians are searching for seasonal work. The Hiring Lab reports that: 

• 3.1 out of every 1,000 job searches included seasonal terms in early November.

• That’s up from 2024, 2023, and 2022. 

This shows something newcomers often feel immediately. The labour market is softer right now. Jobs are harder to land. People are applying to temporary roles they might have overlooked in stronger years. 

For employers, this means no shortage of applicants. For job seekers, it means more competition. But the good news is that there are simply more seasonal roles available than last year, which gives workers a slightly better shot at landing one. 

Where Newcomers Fit Into This  

Here’s where things get practical. 

Seasonal jobs tend to be: 

• welcoming to first-time Canadian workers

• flexible with scheduling

• quick to hire

• open to short-term availability

• focused on customer service, not long resumes 

Seasonal jobs in Canada are an ideal fit for: 

IEC working holiday participants who want quick employment or short-term roles. 

Newcomers who need Canadian experience, because seasonal roles get them local references fast. 

Temporary residents who need income without long-term commitments or complex contracts. 

Students who are looking for short bursts of work to help cover winter expenses or save for the next semester. Seasonal roles fit perfectly around exams, holiday schedules, and school commitments. 

Where to Look for Seasonal Jobs This Winter

The biggest pockets of hiring are exactly where you’d expect: 

1. Retail (the heart of seasonal hiring)

Think: 

• clothing stores 

• malls 

• big-box chains 

• grocery stores 

• electronics shops 

• home décor and gift retailers 

These businesses live or die by holiday traffic, so they scale up every year. 

2. Customer Service

Call centres, parcel counters, delivery service desks, and curbside pickup teams often need extra hands. 

3. Hospitality and Travel

While the hiring rebound isn’t driven by travel, recent projected winter staycation trends do create pockets of seasonal hiring in: 

• hotels 

• restaurants 

• ski resorts 

• winter event venues 

• tourist-focused small towns 

Tips to Boost Your Chances of Being Hired This Holiday Season

A few simple strategies make a real difference: 

• Apply early December is crunch time, so don’t wait.

• Use seasonal keywords “holiday,” “seasonal,” “Christmas,” “winter,” “retail associate,” “temporary.”

• Highlight people skills communication, teamwork, customer interaction.

• Mention your availability clearly employers love straightforward schedules.

• Try smaller employers too independent shops often hire fast. 

You don’t need a polished Canadian career to land a seasonal job. What employers want is enthusiasm, reliability, and the willingness to pitch in during the busiest time of year. 

A Winter Market That’s Quietly Opening Up 

Seasonal hiring is still nowhere near its peak years, but the slight rebound in 2025 marks a break from a long decline, and that alone is worth paying attention to. 

For newcomers, IEC workers, temporary workers and students, even a modest rise in job postings can turn into real opportunities. Maybe it’s a foot in the door. Maybe it’s a chance to build a reference. Maybe it’s simply a way to earn some cash while settling into life in Canada. 

Whatever your reason, this year’s holiday hiring bump gives you a little more room to move and in a soft labour market, that makes a difference.