May 1, 2026
In British Columbian, people are finding ways to earn extra money closer to home — not necessarily through traditional side hustles, but rather by taking on small, practical jobs in their local communities.
New research from the British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA) suggests three in five people in the province either already earn money from their skills or would consider doing so. The work ranges from helping someone move to assembling furniture or tackling small repair jobs — tasks that are often informal but increasingly paid.
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"British Columbians are finding creative ways to earn an extra buck and just as importantly to help each other out," said Mark Spencer, general manager, BCAA Task Marketplace, in a statement. "People are actively monetizing their inherent skills to build successful side hustles or even micro businesses which generate extra income while helping people tackle odd jobs."
More people are getting paid for everyday help
Helping friends or neighbours with small jobs has long been common, but the survey suggests more people are now turning that help into income.
According to the BCAA survey, around 73% of British Columbians say they've used their skills to assist with odd jobs, and just over a quarter of them report being paid for it. In many cases, that means work that once may have been done as a favour is now part of a growing pool of paid, informal work.
Further, respondents pointed to both earning extra money (71%) and helping others (72%) as key reasons for taking part, while half said they enjoy using their skills in a practical way.
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Demand is building for local, flexible work
Interest isn't limited to those offering services. Nearly seven in 10 British Columbians say they would consider hiring someone locally to help with odd jobs, suggesting steady demand for this kind of work.
That demand covers a wide range of tasks, from basic home maintenance to everyday jobs that don't require specialized training but still save time.
"Beyond formal, professional skills like plumbing or electrical, we're seeing Taskers successfully transform a wide range of less obvious, yet helpful odd-job skills into valuable income," noted Spencer.
While such work isn't going to replace a primary income, it can still provide a useful supplement — particularly when combined with other sources of earnings.
The broader takeaway is that more Canadians are looking at practical, everyday skills differently. What used to be occasional help for friends or neighbours is increasingly becoming a way to bring in extra income, even if only on a part-time or flexible basis.
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Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and US brands, while also working as a ghostwriter for financial influencers.
