We're revitalizing our series, Off the Wire. Here, we gather stories about the media business, journalism, writing, communications, and freelancing—with a Canadian focus. Who needs a water cooler?

With layoffs continuing to ripple through Canadian media and other sectors this autumn, the freelance landscape is shifting in real time. Statistics Canada’s latest Labour Force Survey (August 2025) reported a drop of 43,000 self-employed workers. For freelancers, this mix of contraction and instability underscores just how important independent work has become. Freelancing is more than a side hustle or a backup plan, it’s a resilient path forward in a job market where traditional roles are shrinking.