HR budgeting priorities for 2026: must-haves for Canadian employers
Resource Details
Author(s): Stacy Thomas
Date: January 14, 2026
Canadian employers are entering 2026 with cautious optimism but expect hiring challenges and softer demand, according to new survey data. In that environment, experts say decisions about HR budgets are crucial, particularly around retention, flexibility and skills.
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“The current variety in work arrangements across and within industries is striking, and to me, it makes the role of HR even more central and important to organizations,” says Erin Reid, professor and Canada Research Chair in work, organizations and careers at McMaster University.
“It’s becoming a very competitive environment to keep talented staff, and so I think generally, HR budgets should be very large in organizations,” she says. “It’s just going to be really hard to keep people.
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“The current variety in work arrangements across and within industries is striking, and to me, it makes the role of HR even more central and important to organizations,” says Erin Reid, professor and Canada Research Chair in work, organizations and careers at McMaster University.
“It’s becoming a very competitive environment to keep talented staff, and so I think generally, HR budgets should be very large in organizations,” she says. “It’s just going to be really hard to keep people.