Fewer head offices located in Canada in 2024
The number of head office locations in Canada declined 0.3% from 2,875 in 2023 to 2,865 in 2024. Nevertheless, head office employment continued to grow, rising by 1.4% to 269,908 employees.
In 2024, head office employment remained concentrated in Ontario (42.4%), Quebec (22.9%) and Alberta (15.0%); these provinces accounted for four in five head office employees nationally.
Canada's largest census metropolitan areas (CMAs) continued to anchor the corporate landscape in 2024. Toronto had the most head offices (702) and the largest employment count (85,080). Montréal followed, with 392 head offices and 46,063 employees. Vancouver recorded 288 head offices and 25,066 employees, while Calgary registered 221 head offices and 29,824 employees, reinforcing these CMAs' roles as important hubs for corporate activity.
Looking forward
Economic uncertainty, shifting global trade dynamics and evolving workplace expectations shaped the operating environment for Canadian businesses in 2025. Within this context, organizations continue to reassess head office locations and long-term investment planning while balancing cost pressures and geopolitical considerations.
Detailed statistics for head offices in 2025 will be available following survey data collection in 2026.
Note to readers
Data for 2022 and 2023 have been revised.
Head offices include establishments and locations primarily engaged in providing general management or administrative support services to affiliated establishments. Their activities include corporate functions, such as strategic organizational planning, communications, tax planning, legal services, marketing, finance, human resource management and information technology services. The observed population can include establishments active for only a part of the reference year.
Contact information
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