Fly-In, Fly-Out Labour in Canada’s North: Benefits, Challenges, and Social Impacts

This impact paper examines the social impact that the out-of-territory fly-in, fly-out workforce has on local workers living in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, and Nunavik.

Document Highlights

The economic boom in Canada’s North is tied to the development of world-class mines and large oil and gas reserves, among other sectors. Efforts to support this economic growth have stretched the skilled workforce in the North to its capacity. To fill the gap, there has been a reliance on out-of-territory fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) workers. FIFO labour is a longstanding practice in the North.

This impact paper examines the social impact that the out-of-territory FIFO workforce has on local workers living in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, and Nunavik. The impact of FIFO labour in this research focuses mainly on the resource development and construction sectors, as these two sectors have the highest representation of out-of-territory employees in Canada’s three territories. We also address the barriers that are preventing Northern workers from filling these jobs as well as policies and programs needed to increase employment for Northern workers and help them manage the social impacts of the FIFO workforce on the job.