Updated Mar 17, 2026 by ESAC – Entertainment Software Association of Canada
The Canadian video game industry contributes $1.7 billion to the economy and supports 16,000 direct jobs across 348 companies, ranking Canada third globally in industry employment.
Industry growth is accelerating, with an 11% increase between 2009 and 2010 and a projected 17% growth rate for the 2011-2012 period.
The sector provides high-value employment with an average annual salary of $62,000, which is more than double the Canadian national average.
The Canadian player base is broad and gender-balanced, with 58% of the population identifying as gamers, 46% of whom are women, and an average age of 31.
Industry operations are geographically concentrated in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, with Quebec leading the sector by hosting 8,236 jobs across 86 companies.
While 68% of industry labor remains focused on traditional consoles, the market is rapidly diversifying into mobile and social gaming platforms.
The ESRB rating system is widely adopted, with 93% of Canadian parents utilizing these classifications to manage their children's media consumption.
The Canadian video game industry contributes $1.7 billion to the economy and supports 16,000 direct jobs across 348 companies, ranking Canada third globally in industry employment.
Industry growth is accelerating, with an 11% increase between 2009 and 2010 and a projected 17% growth rate for the 2011-2012 period.
The sector provides high-value employment with an average annual salary of $62,000, which is more than double the Canadian national average.
The Canadian player base is broad and gender-balanced, with 58% of the population identifying as gamers, 46% of whom are women, and an average age of 31.
Industry operations are geographically concentrated in Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia, with Quebec leading the sector by hosting 8,236 jobs across 86 companies.
While 68% of industry labor remains focused on traditional consoles, the market is rapidly diversifying into mobile and social gaming platforms.
The ESRB rating system is widely adopted, with 93% of Canadian parents utilizing these classifications to manage their children's media consumption.