According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, a growing number of Canadian employees are receiving health and dental benefits through their jobs.
In 2024, approximately 66.8% of employees reported having workplace health or dental coverage, marking three consecutive years of growth. This compares to 63.3% in 2021, rising to 64.2% in 2022 and 66.4% in 2023.
The data shows that full-time and permanent employees are significantly more likely to have health insurance than part-time or temporary employees. Public sector employees and those covered by collective agreements are more likely to have these benefits.
Gender disparities persist. In 2024, 63.8% of women will have workplace health or dental coverage, compared to 69.5% of men.
Statistics Canada notes that this is primarily due to the higher proportion of women working part-time—21.6% of women work part-time, compared to only 11.4% of men. Among full-time employees, coverage is almost identical for women (75.5%) and men (76.6%).
Coverage rates vary significantly between provinces. Saskatchewan (71.7%), Manitoba (70.3%), British Columbia (70.0%), and Alberta (69.7%) have the highest rates of employee medical or dental insurance coverage, while Quebec (60.6%), Prince Edward Island (63.2%), and Newfoundland and Labrador (63.6%) have relatively low rates.
Statistics Canada suggests that Quebec’s low rate of employer-provided insurance may be related to the province’s unique public health model: all residents must purchase prescription drug coverage, either through a private plan or the Quebec Disease Insurance Agency (RAMQ), which may reduce the need for employer-provided benefits.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Dental Association warns that the federal government’s planned Canada Dental Care Program (CDCP) could undermine employer-provided private dental insurance, which most Canadians still rely on for dental coverage.
