31% of Canadians Have a Side Hustle – More than Half Started One to Help Pay Everyday Bills

New research by Omnisend reveals that side hustles in 2026 are less about passion projects and more about financial necessity. In a survey of 1,029 Canadians, 31% report currently having a side hustle, and 85% admit they started for financial reasons rather than personal fulfillment or fun. Among those with side hustles:

• 57% wanted to earn extra money for bills or essentials
• 27% started to pay off debt, supplement existing income, or save for a goal
• Only 8% intended to pursue a passion or hobby, down from 17% since October 2025.

More than half (53%) earn $500 or less monthly from their side hustle, but 73% are still satisfied with that additional income. Collectively, this adds up to an average of $9.9 billion monthly across Canada, down slightly from $10.2 billion last year.

“Inflation may have cooled on paper, but everyday expenses like housing, groceries, and insurance remain stubbornly high,” says Marty Bauer, Ecommerce Expert at Omnisend. “An extra $200-$500 a month can cover groceries, utilities, or debt payments. That makes even low-earning side hustles feel worthwhile.”

Overall, 50% started their side hustle less than a year ago, and they’re able to maintain them without sacrificing large amounts of personal time. 91% spend fewer than 20 hours per week on them, with 5-9 hours being the most common range.

From handmade goods to reselling, ecommerce is the most popular way to earn on the side

Ecommerce, including reselling, is the most common side-hustle category among respondents, with 48% saying they sell online. That puts ecommerce ahead of freelance work (17%), food delivery services (15%), and content creation (15%).

For online sellers, side hustles often start with accessible product categories: 27% sell  vintage or second-hand items, 23% sell handmade or custom goods, and 11% sell print-on-demand products such as t-shirts or mugs. 

The most popular platforms are established marketplaces, led by Facebook Marketplace at 53%,  Amazon at 34%, eBay at 28%, and Etsy at 18%.

“Compared to freelancing or gig work, ecommerce – especially reselling – is relatively low-risk. It doesn’t require specialized skills or major upfront investment, but most importantly, it offers flexibility, making it the easiest starting point for people looking to earn extra,” says Marty.

Overall, 81% say they plan to continue their side hustle over the next 12 months.