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Weekend side hustles in Canada that fit a full-time job

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 6h ago

Choosing a weekend side hustle

A good weekend side hustle fits your energy and schedule, does not conflict with your main job and earns enough after costs to be worth the time. Some options pay per task and can be started quickly; others take longer to build but can grow. This list summarises common options in Canada with the rules that apply, using CRA guidance on the platform economy. It is a sourced list, not a ranking.

1. Food delivery

Delivery apps let you choose when to work, and weekends, especially Friday and Saturday evenings, are often busy. You need a smartphone and a vehicle, scooter or bike depending on the market. Count fuel, maintenance and insurance. Delivery income is self-employment income. Ontario's Digital Platform Workers' Rights Act, in effect since 1 July 2025, gives app-based delivery and rideshare workers a minimum wage for engaged time and other protections.

2. Rideshare driving

Rideshare can pay well at weekends but requires an eligible vehicle, a suitable licence where required, background checks and appropriate insurance. Under Canadian tax rules, commercial rideshare drivers must register for GST/HST from their first fare, regardless of income. British Columbia also has minimum pay rules for app-based ride-hail and delivery workers.

3. Pet sitting and dog walking

Weekend pet sitting, boarding and dog walking suit animal lovers. You can work independently or through platforms, which charge fees. Check municipal bylaws on the number of animals in a home and any licensing requirements for boarding.

4. Tutoring

Weekend tutoring for school students or adults learning languages or professional skills can be done online or in person. Rates depend on subject and level. Background checks are often requested by parents or tutoring companies when working with children.

5. Reselling

Buying items at garage sales, thrift stores or clearance sales and reselling online fits weekends. Selling your own used items is generally not a business, but buying to resell for profit is. Platforms report sellers to the CRA under platform reporting rules.

6. Freelance services

Skills from your day job, such as design, writing, bookkeeping or web development, can be sold on weekends, as long as they do not conflict with your employer. Freelancing can grow into a substantial business. Use written contracts and clear deadlines that fit your schedule.

7. Event, hospitality and retail shifts

Weekend shifts at events, restaurants, stadiums and stores are employment roles. Employers deduct tax, CPP and EI, and provincial employment standards apply, including minimum wage. These offer predictability but less flexibility.

8. Markets and craft fairs

Makers can sell crafts, baked goods or art at weekend markets. Food sales may require permits from local health authorities, and markets charge stall fees. Product safety and labelling rules apply to many products.

9. Photography and videography

Weddings, events, family portraits and real estate photography often happen on weekends. Equipment costs can be high, but rates can be strong. Contracts should cover deliverables and usage rights.

10. Handyman, moving and yard work

Furniture assembly, moving help, gardening and snow clearing can be booked through task platforms or directly. Some trades, such as electrical and plumbing work, require licences under provincial law, so stay within tasks that do not.

Worked example: weekend income and tax

Marc works full-time in Calgary earning $65,000. He walks dogs and pet sits on weekends, earning $9,000 in a year, with $1,200 of costs. His net self-employment income is $7,800. Because his salary is below the year's maximum pensionable earnings, he also owes CPP on his side income, paying both the employee and employer portions. If his combined earnings stay below that maximum, that is roughly 11.9% of $7,800, about $928; any earnings above the limit fall under the second additional contributions instead. His side income is added to his salary and taxed at his combined federal and Alberta marginal rate. He sets aside 30% of side income and checks whether he needs instalments in future years.

Employment contracts and conflicts

Before starting, review your employment contract and workplace policies. Some include clauses on outside employment, conflicts of interest, confidentiality and intellectual property. Doing side work during working hours or using your employer's equipment can breach your contract. When in doubt, ask HR.

Tax rules for side income

The CRA says income from a side business must be reported, even if it is small or paid in cash or through apps. Report it on Form T2125 with your return and deduct reasonable expenses. Self-employed side income attracts CPP contributions, both portions, above the basic exemption, unless your employment contributions already reached the yearly maximum. If your total tax owing grows, you may need to make instalments.

GST/HST

Most weekend side hustles stay under the $30,000 small supplier threshold. Commercial rideshare is the exception: drivers must register from the first fare. If you exceed the threshold, register and charge GST/HST at the rate for the customer's province.

Balancing time and energy

Working weekends after a full-time week can lead to burnout. Set limits on hours, keep at least one day free when possible and review whether the extra income is worth the time each month. The salary calculator on this site helps compare side income with overtime or a raise. If you work with clients in other provinces or countries, the time zone converter helps scheduling.

Insurance

Using your car for delivery or rideshare may require additional coverage. Home-based businesses may need a business insurance rider on home insurance. Check with your insurer before starting.

Online side hustles for weekends

Not every side hustle requires leaving home. Online tutoring, freelance writing and design, bookkeeping for small businesses, virtual assistance, transcription and selling digital products such as templates can all be done at weekends. They usually need a reliable computer and internet connection, and income often grows as you build a client base and reviews. Online work for clients in other countries is still taxable in Canada, reported in Canadian dollars.

Seasonal opportunities

Canadian seasons create weekend work: snow clearing and holiday markets in winter, gardening and moving help in spring, festivals and tourism in summer and harvest and Thanksgiving events in autumn. Planning around seasons can raise your earnings at the times demand peaks.

Start-up costs to consider

Some hustles cost almost nothing to start, such as pet sitting or tutoring. Others require investment: a car and insurance for delivery, camera gear for photography, tools for handyman work or stock and a stall fee for markets. Estimate how many weekends it will take to recover start-up costs before committing.

Questions to ask before starting

- How many weekend hours can I commit without affecting my job or health?

- What will I earn per hour after costs and tax?

- Does my employment contract allow this work?

- Do I need a licence, permit or insurance?

- Will the work grow into something more, or is it short-term income?

Keeping records simply

Use a spreadsheet or app to record each weekend's income and costs, mileage if you drive and receipts. Platforms provide summaries, but your own records make your tax return easier and help you see which hustles are worth continuing.

Platform reporting and the CRA

Delivery, rideshare, rental and selling platforms report sellers' and service providers' income to the CRA under platform reporting rules. The CRA uses this information to check returns, so include all side income, even small amounts paid through apps. Keeping your own records lets you check the platform's figures and claim expenses that the platform does not report.

Ending a side hustle

If you stop, keep your records for six years, report income up to the date you stopped and cancel any GST/HST account you no longer need, following CRA procedures.

Weekend work and EI

If you receive Employment Insurance benefits, earnings from weekend work, including self-employment, must be reported and can reduce your benefits. Check Service Canada's rules before starting.

Common mistakes

- Underestimating costs such as fuel and equipment.

- Not reporting cash or app income.

- Breaching employment contract clauses.

- Forgetting CPP when estimating tax.

- Taking on too many hours and burning out.

This list is general information and is not tax, legal or financial advice.

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