Full- and part-time freelancers, independent contractors and on-demand workers are expected to account for up to 45% of the Canadian workforce by 2020, according to research released by Intuit Canada in partnership with Emergent Research.

More professionals are joining the growing ranks of the self-employed workers in Canada, driven in part by an increase in the on-demand economy, which the report defines as ride-sharing, peer-to-peer rental, project-based job platforms and online retail platforms.

The research found flexibility and work-life balance are part of the story, but traditional jobs are harder to come by now than they were for previous generations. The vast majority of jobs created in the past year are part-time, adding fuel to the explosion of the on-demand economy. And the shift away from defined-benefit pension plans has left many retirees turning to self-employment to top-up their savings: 19% self-employed Canadians pursued this work because they still needed or wanted to work during retirement.

The reasons Canadians turn to self-employment include:

• 47% pursued that work because of a desire for greater work-life flexibility and the top three benefits of self-employed work are: being able to control their own schedule at 77%; more flexibility at 74%; and being their own boss at 66%.
• 41% of self-employed workers are doing so to supplement income.
• 44% are financially better off since starting their self-employed work.

Data for the research was collected through an online survey conducted through the Angus Reid Forum panel. The survey was conducted from Sept, 30 to Oct. 13, and included 499 self-employed Canadians.