Report Forecasts Bullish Canadian Mining Labour Market

Ottawa, ON, June 22, 2026 – The Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) is pleased to publish the Canadian Mining Labour Market Outlook 2026 that examines current Canadian mining labour market conditions and explores key areas that may face workforce challenges over the coming decade.

Funded by the Government of Canada’s Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP), the report focuses on the current state of Canada’s mining industry, its future outlook and a labour market forecast.

“The Canadian Mining Labour Market Outlook report provides key insights into the industry of today and critical forecasts for the industry of tomorrow,” said MiHR Executive Director Ryan Montpellier. “This is the first of many important labour market studies we are conducting through MiHR’s new Mining Workforce Skills and Solutions Project. The publications will be instrumental to guiding Canadian mining operations through our economic future.”

Findings include strong industry growth driven by high commodity prices – particularly gold – leading to record employment levels in extraction and milling. Optimism about the sector’s growth is reflected in rising capital investment and exploration spending, supported by federal and provincial policies that promote critical mineral development and reduce regulatory barriers.

According to the 10-year forecast, employment could grow to over 240,000 workers by 2035 under a baseline scenario (a 16% increase), rise to nearly 295,000 under an expansion scenario (a 41% increase), or decline to nearly 190,000 in a contraction scenario (a 9% decrease).

The industry faces substantial hiring needs across these forecasts, estimated at over 246,000 new workers for the baseline scenario, nearly 329,000 for the expansionary scenario and 161,000 for the contractionary scenario – driven by both growth and workforce attrition. The outlook also highlights significant recruitment challenges, with acute labour shortages expected as early as 2027.

These findings are supported by perception polling conducted by Abacus Data on behalf of MiHR with 3000 Canadians, aged 15 to 24, from March 30 to April 21, 2026. The polling revealed that, while mining careers are associated with strong pay and benefits, job availability and opportunities for advancement, it also struggles with negative perceptions around remoteness of the work, safety and work-life balance.  

Click here to access a digital copy of the Canadian Mining Labour Market Outlook 2026 and click here to review the youth perception polling findings.

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About the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)

Canada’s knowledge centre for mining labour market information, MiHR is an independent, non-profit organization that leads collaboration among mining and exploration companies, organized labour, contractors, educational institutions, industry associations and Indigenous groups to identify opportunities and address the human resource and labour market challenges facing the Canadian minerals and metals sector.

For More Information:

William Meyer
Director, Communications and Career Development
Mining Industry Human Resources Council
613.270.9696 x 58
wmeyer@mihr.ca