50 Side Hustle Ideas to Make Extra Money in Canada
We get it. You want to make some extra cash, but selling your kidney isn’t an option. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, paying off debt, or just want to stop crying every time you check your bank account balance, a good side hustle might be the answer. So grab your coffee (or wine – we don’t judge), because we’re diving into 50 legit and sometimes hilariously unexpected ways to boost your income and start a business.
Why Side Hustles Are the Real MVPs
Side hustles are no longer just for broke college students or people going through a mid-life crisis. They’re for anyone who wants more financial freedom without committing to another soul-crushing 9-5. The beauty? You can start small, work around your schedule, and maybe even discover a hidden talent. Who knew you were amazing at making dog costumes?
People across the globe (especially in the gig-loving Great North) are turning hobbies into income. From dog-walking to drop shipping, side hustles in Canada are booming. You don’t need to quit your job or move to Silicon Valley. Just a bit of hustle, a dash of Wi-Fi, and maybe a good playlist. Check out our list of best side business ideas and earn extra money in Canada. Like an idea and want to start a business – Online Business Registry will help with all the formalities like business registration or CRA accounts.
The Big List: 50 Side Hustle Ideas That Actually Work
Online Side Hustles
1. Freelance Writing
Got a way with words and a mild caffeine dependency? Freelance writing is possibly up your alley. Businesses, bloggers, and websites require freshly written material- blog articles, newsletters, product descriptions, ghostwriting. Start with platforms like Upwork, ProBlogger, or pitch freelance clients. Bonus: You can write in pajamas. Downside? Grammarly will judge you.
2. Start a Blog
Blogging isn’t reserved for foodies and travel junkies. It’s a powerful platform to share your interests and make money from them through affiliate commissions, advertising revenue, paid articles, and sales of one’s own products. Choose a niche – personal finance, DIY, or indeed sourdough – and let your inner keyboard warrior loose. SEO is your secret weapon, and so is consistency.
3. Virtual Assistant
Virtual assistants (VAs) tend to be behind-the-scenes stars of any online business. If you’re comfortable with arranging appointments, answering email, managing social media, and not flipping your desk out of a fourth-story window while participating in a Zoom conference call, this is for you. Belay or Fancy Hands are good places to start- or go it alone and offer services to entrepreneurs.
4. Online Tutoring
Know something? Teach it! Online teaching is flourishing, particularly for subjects such as mathematics, science, English, and French. Website platforms such as VIPKid, Preply, or Wyzant assist in matching you up with international students. And if you’re fluent in academic jargon and patience, you’ll do great.
5. Sell Printables on Etsy
Do you color-code your shopping list? Monetize that obsession as printables! Create planners, meal tracking tables, wedding signs, kid activities, or budget worksheets with software such as Canva or Adobe Illustrator. Sell on Etsy, set your price, and voila – passive income. Not one piece shipped. All digital awesomeness.
6. Take Online Surveys
Okay, you’re not getting rich answering surveys, but c’mon, a little bit does count. Platforms like Survey Junkie, Pinecone Research, and Swagbucks enable you to share your opinion on anything from breakfast cereal to conditioner. Perfect for waiting in line or pretending to be interested via Zoom.
7. Start a YouTube Channel
If you’ve got something to say (or show), YouTube is a goldmine. From beauty tutorials and gaming walkthroughs to reaction videos and daily vlogs, the content possibilities are endless. Monetize with ad revenue, sponsorships, and merch. And it’s a good excuse to finally break out that ring light that you bought impulsively.
8. Affiliate Marketing
No product? No problem. Affiliate marketing provides a commission for marketing products with special tracking links. Use them on your blog, YouTube, social media posts, or email. It’s like matchmaking – but for people and things they never even realized they needed. Begin with Amazon Associates or with ShareASale.
9. Dropshipping
Want to sell out of an online store without all the fuss of stuffing boxes? Say hello to dropshipping. Selling products online is a good way to make extra cash. You sell the merchandise, and a third-party supplier sends it. Focus on a niche, assemble a Shopify or WooCommerce store, and market like a pro. Low overhead, big potential.
10. Flip Items from eBay or Facebook Marketplace
Channel your inner treasure hunter. Visit thrift stores, garage sales, or your grandma’s attic, then resell finds on eBay, Kijiji, or Facebook Marketplace. You’d be amazed at what people will pay for vintage Pyrex or Pokémon cards. Bonus: It’s eco-friendly. Trash to cash, baby.
Local and In-Person Side Hustles
11. Dog Walking
Dog owners need someone to tire out their hyper pups while they work or binge-watch Netflix. It’s a great way to stay active, meet neighborhood dogs, and get paid for being a professional leash-holder. Use apps like Rover or Wag, or simply put up flyers at local cafes. Bonus: Dogs don’t complain about your music.
12. Babysitting
Whether it’s weekends, evenings, or full-time nanny gigs, babysitting is a time-tested side hustle that still pays well. Babysitters with first-aid training, CPR certification, or a good reputation can earn even more. Parents love someone who plays more than just Cocomelon reruns.
13. House Cleaning
You don’t have to be Marie Kondo to cash in on this one. Many people are too busy (or too lazy) to clean their own homes. Start by offering services to friends, family, or coworkers. Expand with a few basic supplies and a solid playlist. Eventually, you could build a small team and turn it into a cleaning empire.
14. Lawn Care
If you don’t mind the outdoors and can operate a lawn mower without injuring yourself, lawn care is a solid gig. Mowing, edging, weeding, and leaf-blowing are always in demand. Great for teens, retirees, and folks who find yard work oddly therapeutic.
15. Snow Removal
Ah, winter in Canada Snow Removal business is popular. Shoveling snow is a rite of passage and also a way to make serious money. Offer services to neighbors, businesses, or post on local Facebook groups. Pro tip: invest in a snow blower and watch the dollars (and snow piles) disappear.
16. House Sitting
When people travel, they want peace of mind knowing someone is watching over their home (and plants). House sitting can include mail collection, pet care, and making sure the Wi-Fi still works. It’s basically a paid staycation in someone else’s cozy home.
17. Rent Out a Room on Airbnb
Got a spare room or basement suite? List it on Airbnb and turn it into a passive income stream. Add nice sheets, take good photos, and boom – you’re a host. In touristy or urban areas, this can add up fast. Don’t forget to read your local regulations.
18. Photography
If you’ve got a decent camera (or even a smartphone and a good eye), you can start making money with photography. Specializes in weddings, portraits, real estate, and even pet photography. Set up a simple portfolio online and start networking with local businesses or event planners.
19. Event Planning
Are you the friend who organizes group trips, birthday bashes, and bridal showers like a pro? Event planning might be your calling. Start with smaller gigs like birthdays or baby showers, then build your way up to weddings or corporate events. Bonus: You get to wear a headset and say things like “Let’s cue the DJ!”
20. Mobile Car Wash
People love a clean car but hate doing it themselves. Bring the sparkle to them! All you need are some cleaning supplies, a reliable water source, and a willingness to get a little wet. Offer package deals or subscription options to keep customers coming back for that sweet, sweet shine.
Creative and Artsy Side Hustles
21. Sell Handmade Goods
Are you crafty? Like “turn yarn into weirdly adorable crochet aliens” crafty? From jewelry and candles to hand-painted mugs and clay earrings, the world is obsessed with handmade goods. Platforms like Etsy, Shopify, or even Instagram Shops can turn your passion project into profit. Plus, it’s a great excuse to hoard glitter.
22. Voiceover Work
Got a voice that people say sounds like a calm podcast narrator or an animated villain? Use it! Voiceover gigs include commercials, audiobooks, YouTube narrations, and even explainer videos. Sites like Voices.com, Fiverr, and Upwork are goldmines for beginners. Bonus: you can record in your pajamas. Just don’t eat chips near the mic.
23. Graphic Design
If you know your way around Canva, Photoshop, or Illustrator, you can start offering design services. Think logo design, business cards, social media graphics, or even wedding invitations. The world is visually hungry, and you? You’re a pixel chef. Great for creative types who like playing with fonts and criticizing bad kerning.
24. Write an eBook
If you’ve got expert knowledge or spicy ideas for a steamy romance plot – put it in a digital book and sell it on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Gumroad. No publisher, no problem. Whether it’s a “How to Start a Side Hustle” guide or “Vampire Hockey Romance,” someone will read it.
25. Start a Podcast
Got a lot to say about a niche topic? Whether it’s true crime, 90s sitcom trivia, or your journey to financial freedom, a podcast lets you connect with your people. With a decent mic and hosting service like Buzzsprout, you’re good to go. Monetize with sponsors, ads, and Patreon supporters who love your voice more than your mom does.
26. Teach Music or Art
Remember those piano or violin lessons your parents forced you into? Time to cash in. Offer music lessons, drawing workshops, or art classes online or in person. Kids need extracurriculars, and adults want to reawaken their inner Picasso. No teaching degree needed – just skill, patience, and maybe a whiteboard.
27. Sell Stock Photos
Love photography? Upload high-quality photos of anything from coffee mugs to moody forests to platforms like Shutterstock, iStock, and Adobe Stock. Even pics of your messy desk can earn passive income (seriously, “realistic chaos” is a vibe). It’s a low-maintenance way to get paid while you nap.
28. Design T-Shirts
You don’t need a screen printer in your garage to launch a t-shirt empire. Sites like Redbubble, Teespring, and Printful let you upload your designs, and they handle the rest – printing, shipping, and customer service. Create slogans, memes, or minimalistic art that screams “I’m quirky and proud.”
29. Create Online Courses
You know things. Important things. Like how to budget, build websites, or make the perfect sourdough starter. Package that know-how into an online course and sell it on Udemy, Skillshare, or Thinkific. Passive income with upfront work – teach once, earn forever. You’re basically the Netflix of your niche.
30. Make YouTube Shorts or TikToks
Short-form content is chef’s kiss right now. Whether it’s funny skits, life hacks, mini tutorials, or your cat’s daily tantrums, platforms like YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, and TikTok can bring you views, followers, and eventually – cash. Add a trending sound, keep it under 60 seconds, and boom, you’re an influencer.
Smart & Scalable Side Hustles
31. Become a Social Media Manager
If you know your way around hashtags, memes, and posting at peak engagement time, you’re already halfway there. Small businesses need help managing their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Pinterest accounts. If you can write captions with the emotional range of a soap opera and track analytics, this one’s for you.
32. Proofreading and Editing
Love correcting people’s grammar in texts? Great! Get paid to do it. Bloggers, authors, students, and businesses always need a second pair of eyes to clean up their copy. You’ll be the hero who makes sure there, their, and they’re are never confused again.
33. Become a Notary Public
Not the most thrilling job title, but being a Notary Public is a surprisingly easy way to earn money by witnessing signatures on important documents. Depending on your province, you can even do it remotely. Great for detail-oriented folks who love stamps (the legal kind, not the philatelist kind).
34. Data Entry
Low stress, low barrier, and you don’t have to talk to people. Just type like you’re on a mission. If you’re fast and accurate, data entry jobs on sites like Clickworker, Microworkers, or Fiverr can help you stack some cash while catching up on your true crime podcasts.
35. Rent Out Your Car
Got a car that sits idle for most of the day? Make it work for you! Use apps like Turo or Getaround to rent it out when you’re not using it. Bonus: your car finally earns its keep instead of just guzzling gas and Spotify premium.
36. Deliver Food or Groceries
If you don’t mind a little driving and don’t fear the wrath of hungry people, sign up for Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Instacart. It’s a flexible side gig that’s always in demand. And yes, you can blast 90s jams while you deliver pad thai and oat milk.
37. Sell Digital Products
Templates, fonts, Lightroom presets, social media calendars—if you can create it once and sell it infinitely, you’re living the passive income dream. Etsy and Gumroad are perfect platforms for this. You basically become the digital Oprah: You get a budget tracker! You get a Canva template!
38. Mystery Shopping
Get paid to shop and judge customer service like the queen or king you are. Mystery shopping gigs involve going to stores, restaurants, or even banks and reporting on your experience. Check out legit sites like BestMark or Market Force, and always look out for scams!
39. Sell on Amazon FBA
With Fulfilled by Amazon (FBA), you ship products to Amazon, and they handle the rest – storage, shipping, customer service. It’s great for people who want to run an online business without managing all the logistics. Plus, who doesn’t love seeing sales roll in while bingeing Netflix?
40. Transcription
Got good ears and fast fingers? Offer transcription services. You’ll listen to audio files – interviews, podcasts, webinars – and type them out. Sites like Rev, Scribie, and TranscribeMe are great starting points. Bonus: you’ll learn weird trivia from all the stuff you transcribe.
Flexible, Fun & Sometimes Just Weird Side Hustles
41. Pet Sitting
People will trust you with their fur babies if you’ve got a kind face and a solid review. Whether it’s for a weekend or a whole vacation, pet sitting is a sweet gig for animal lovers. Apps like Rover or Pawshake make it easy to get started. Bonus: unlimited cuddles.
42. Create a Patreon
If you create content, art, podcasts, or even comics about introverts, you can monetize with Patreon. Your fans support you with monthly donations in exchange for exclusive content or perks. Think of it as a virtual tip jar with benefits.
43. Become a Translator
Speak more than one language? You’re valuable, friend. Offer translation services for documents, websites, or videos. Sites like ProZ or Gengo can connect you with clients. Especially lucrative if you speak French, Spanish, Mandarin, or Klingon (seriously, that’s a niche).
44. Sell Domain Names
Buy low, sell high. Some people make thousands flipping catchy domain names. It’s digital real estate – if you’ve got a knack for knowing what might be hot next (like “AIforCats.com” or “SourdoughEmpire.ca”), this could be your jam.
45. Rent Out Your Stuff
You’d be amazed at what people will pay to borrow. Cameras, drones, tools, camping gear, even power washers. Use sites like Fat Llama or local buy/sell groups. It’s like Airbnb, but for your garage.
46. Become a Local Tour Guide
Know your city like the back of your Tim Hortons cup? Create custom tours for tourists. Show off local art, ghost stories, or foodie gems. Use platforms like ToursByLocals or Airbnb Experiences. Great for people who love storytelling and strangers who ask, “Where’s the nearest washroom?”
47. Flip Furniture
Pick up ugly dressers from Facebook Marketplace, give them a glow-up with paint and new knobs, and resell for profit. It’s like HGTV, but you’re the star and the entire production crew. Plus, it’s surprisingly therapeutic.
48. Professional Cuddler
Yes, this is a real thing. People pay for platonic cuddling sessions to help with anxiety, loneliness, or just because they miss physical touch. It’s not for everyone – but if you’re super chill, comfortable with boundaries, and like human burritos, check out Cuddle Comfort.
49. Test Websites and Apps
Companies pay people to test their websites for usability. You click around, give feedback, and get paid. Sites like UserTesting and TryMyUI are beginner-friendly. It’s like being a tech-savvy Sherlock Holmes – just without the pipe.
50. Start a Niche Subscription Box
Do you have weirdly specific taste? Good. Curate monthly boxes around that – like self-care kits, plant-themed goods, or “spicy ramen from around the world.” Use Cratejoy or Shopify to launch. Subscription boxes are the gift that keeps on giving… you income.
Final Thoughts: Your Side Hustle Era Starts Now
Whether you’d like to pay off debt, fund that dream vacation, or simply stop screaming on the inside whenever you reach for that bank statement, there is a side job in Canada for all. From cozy couch jobs like working as a freelance writer to shoveling-snow stardom (hey, Canadian side jobs), these ideas prove that making extra funds does not have to be boring – or life-eliminating.
Don’t forget that you don’t need to do all 50. Start with one that you’re passionate about that does mesh with your lifestyle. Try it out, modify it, then expand it. The good thing about side jobs is that they’re flexible – and who knows? That little hustle can become a potentially lucrative business.
Just keep in mind that if you’ve ever wanted to make money online in Canada, Online Business Registry is here for you: now you’re getting a free pass to start small, stay quirky, and get paid.
