Canadian Telework Scene

Telework rapidly growing in Canada
After a somewhat slow start in the early 80's, survey after survey demonstrate significant growth of the concept all over North America. These surveys prove beyond doubt that telework is a phenomenon worthy of examination by corporate, bureaucratic and political decision makers.

Why is telework growing so fast?
This growth is not just due to business or lifestyle reasons. With rapid developments in information technology, there is an inevitable propensity towards working away from the regular office. The 'information revolution' creates a climate that is highly conducive to the growth of telework. Here are just a few of the factors:

	Information workers With our high per-capita ratio of government, high tech and information workers, huge numbers of Canadian employees are ready, willing and able to telework - if only they were allowed to do so.
	Computer ownership Canada is one of the most wired nations on earth. Daily improvements in security and technology make it easier and easier for telework to take place.
	Increase in Internet usage In 2004 (according the Statistics Canada) 7.9-million, or 64%, of Canada's 12.3-million households had at least one member who used the Internet regularly in 2003, either from home, work, school, a public library or another location. Also, some 6.7-million households used Internet from home, a 5% increase from 2002. Finally, 4.4-million, or 65%, had a high-speed cable or telephone-line connection, up from 56% a year earlier.
	Broadband penetration: 2008 Canadian Internet survey places Canada as the world leader in broadband (not speed), reaching over 80% of the population.
	Internet access costs Canada and Australia share the world's cheapest Internet access - just one reason why we use the Internet so much.
	More telephone lines Two years ago, the US registered 75 million new telephone numbers - equal to the total number between 1876 to 1956 (Time Magazine). Canada follows in close proportion.
	Population density Geographically, Canada is the second largest country on earth. With only 7 people per square mile compared to 10 times that in the US, we often have to travel far to get to work or school. Telework represents a good alternative to traveling long distances
	Cost of relocations Relocations are expensive. Statistics Canada says it cost companies an average of $42,000 to relocate the average home owner to another city. Telework can help reduce the need for relocations, with significant savings possible. And that includes disruptive relocations within the same building (office churn)
	Cost of absenteeism Canadian absenteeism averages about 8 days a year (6.9 days for men, and 9.2 days for women) says Stats Can. The cost of balancing work and family is pegged at about $2.7 billion according to a Health Canada study.

Canadian organizations that telework
Given how fast telework is catching on, it's not surprising that the list of organizations which permit telework is also growing. Here is a list of just a few. If you know of an organization that should be listed here, but is not, please let us know