Which groups are most likely to have coverage?
The number of Canadians who have access to employer-provided medical or dental benefits has been growing slightly over the past few years, according to a report from Statistics Canada (StatCan).
Specifically, 66.8 per cent of Canadians reported coverage through their main job in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of growth, up from 63.3 per cent in 2021 and 66.4 per cent in 2023.
“Workplace medical or dental benefits coverage—the proportion of employees with access to supplemental medical or dental care benefits in their main job—is an important indicator of quality of employment,” said StatCan analysts Marton Lovei and Adam Abdille in their report.
“Access to supplemental coverage for medical or dental care can improve health outcomes by increasing the likelihood that employees see health professionals. Dependence on an employer for access to medical or dental insurance means that variations in employer-provided coverage may lead to disparities in health outcomes among workers.”
Despite personal health data generation reaching record levels, far too many Canadians are missing treatable health risks, according to a previous report.
Who is more likely to have employer-provided medical benefits?
StatCan’s Labour Force Survey shows that full-time and permanent employees are much more likely to have coverage. In 2024, 76.1 per cent of full-time workers and 71.9 per cent of permanent employees had access to workplace medical or dental benefits. In contrast, only 20.7 per cent of part-time employees and 26.1 per cent of temporary workers reported having such coverage.
There are also disparities among different groups. Women are less likely than men to have workplace medical or dental coverage—63.8 per cent compared to 69.5 per cent—a gap largely explained by higher rates of part-time work among women. Among full-time employees, the gender gap nearly disappears, with 75.5 per cent of women and 76.6 per cent of men reporting coverage.
Young employees remain the least likely to have access to workplace benefits. Only 27.6 per cent of workers aged 15 to 24 reported coverage, compared to 75.1 per cent of those aged 25 to 54 and 67.4 per cent of those aged 55 and older. The rate is even lower for young part-time workers, at just 8.6 per cent.
Regional differences are also significant. Saskatchewan, Manitoba, British Columbia, and Alberta have the highest rates of workplace benefit coverage, while Quebec, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador have the lowest. StatCan notes that Quebec’s unique public prescription drug insurance framework may reduce the need for employer-provided benefits in that province.
Union membership and public sector employment are linked to higher coverage rates. In 2024, 83.0 per cent of employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement and 80.9 per cent of public sector workers had workplace medical or dental coverage, compared to 59.7 per cent of non-union employees and 62.1 per cent of private sector workers.
There is a growing interest among women in the workplace in Canada when it comes to accessing fertility and menopausal benefits, according to a previous Manulife report.
Why are medical benefits important?
The benefits included in a company's compensation package can be significant factors when searching for a job, according to Indeed.
“Understanding the importance of benefits packages can help managers provide more comprehensive packages to find and keep talented employees and help employees and candidates determine their priorities in a role,” it said.
Talking about health coverage specifically, Indeed said: “Health benefits help employees and their families afford regular wellness exams, preventive care, prescription medications and medical treatments.
“If a candidate or their dependents require regular healthcare, they might prioritise jobs that offer comprehensive health insurance plans. Further, if employees are encouraged to stay healthy and given the tools to do so, they are likely to feel more energetic, have fewer sick days and be more effective at work.”
Many workers continue to encounter significant gaps in the benefits offered by their employers, according to a previous report from RBC Insurance.
