Why Canada’s Environmental Workforce Pulse Matters
In Fall 2025, more than 660 Canadian employers shared their perspectives through the second edition of the Workforce Pulse Survey, Canada’s first coordinated rapid-response labour market intelligence initiative. The survey results provide a timely snapshot of employer sentiment, showing how businesses within these partner networks are navigating trade disruptions, policy uncertainty, staffing pressures, artificial intelligence, and evolving workforce needs.
The Fall 2025 Environmental Sector Workforce Pulse provides insights into the environmental sector’s response to these challenges. Our results highlight perspectives from employers of environmental workers across five sub-sectors:
- Environmental Consulting Firms – delivering specialized environmental advice and project services.
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services Firms– encompassing consulting, R&D, and scientific or waste management services.
- Social, Public, and Cultural Organizations – including environmental non-profits, conservation groups, and educational services.
- Primary Industries – spanning agriculture, forestry, aquaculture, fishing, and oil and gas extraction.
- Utilities and Construction – including infrastructure, water services, renewable energy, and energy efficiency projects.*
*Utilities and Construction was included in the Summer 2025 report but not in the Fall 2025 report due to a small sample size in the data. *
Our Fall 2025 Environmental Workforce Pulse Survey featured responses from 50 environmental employers across major sectors. Topics covered included:
- Staffing situations over the past 30 days.
- Hiring expectations over the next 90 days.
- Challenging roles to fill.
- Expected changes in training investment over the next 12 months.
- Tariff and trade disruption impacts.
- Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace.
This report summarizes the survey responses collected by ECO Canada and provides a snapshot of employer sentiment and workforce dynamics across key sectors, giving a point-in-time “pulse” of the environmental labour market.
Who Should Read This Report?
This essential resource is designed for:
- Employers and industry leaders navigating hiring challenges and workforce planning.
- Policymakers shaping responsive labour market and economic strategies.
- Educators and training providers aligning programs with evolving industry needs.
- Workforce organizations and researchers monitoring labour market trends.
