Tech Recruitment Trends in Quebec: H1 2026 Review and Forecast

The first half of 2026 is coming to a close and Quebec's tech recruitment market has undergone major transformations. Between the rise of artificial intelligence, evolving work models, and new corporate priorities, here is our comprehensive review and forecast for the rest of the year.

A Dynamic Hiring Market Despite Uncertainties

The signals are positive: 48% of managers plan to increase their headcount in H1 2026 (source: Robert Half). This figure reflects sustained confidence in tech growth, despite an uncertain global economic context.

At VALO Recrutement, we have observed a notable increase in mandates since January 2026, particularly in the AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing sectors. Quebec companies are no longer simply maintaining their teams: they are actively investing in their technological growth.

Growth Drivers

• Accelerated digital transformation: traditional companies are catching up on their technological gaps
• AI investments: budgets dedicated to artificial intelligence have significantly increased
• Cybersecurity: the proliferation of cyber threats is pushing organizations to strengthen their security teams
• Regulatory compliance: new data protection requirements are creating needs for specialized personnel

The Most In-Demand Tech Roles

Three profiles particularly stand out in 2026: AI architect, cloud engineer, and cybersecurity analyst (source: Robert Half). For a detailed analysis, read our article on the most in-demand tech roles in Quebec in 2026.

AI Architect

The AI architect is unquestionably the most sought-after profile of 2026. Their role: designing and overseeing the implementation of artificial intelligence solutions at the enterprise level. Key skills include:

• Mastery of AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn)
• Experience with large language models (LLMs) and generative AI
• Ability to define an AI strategy aligned with business objectives
• Understanding of ethical issues and AI governance

Cloud Engineer

Cloud migration remains a priority for many Quebec organizations. Cloud engineers certified in AWS, Azure, or GCP are particularly sought after, with steadily rising salaries.

Cybersecurity Analyst

Facing a surge in cyberattacks, cybersecurity analysts have become indispensable. Profiles that can combine technical expertise with business risk understanding are the most valued.

AI Is Transforming Recruitment and IT Budgets

IT budgets are increasingly oriented toward AI automation (source: Robert Half). This trend manifests in several ways:

• Automation of repetitive tasks: tech teams spend less time on manual tasks thanks to AI tools
• New positions created: prompt engineers, AI governance specialists, data architects for AI
• Evolving skill requirements: AI tool proficiency is becoming a prerequisite for many tech roles
• Budget reallocation: savings from automation are reinvested in innovation and recruiting specialized profiles

Impact on Recruitment

AI is not replacing developers, but it is changing the expected skill set. Recruiters must now evaluate:

• The candidate's ability to effectively use AI coding assistants
• Their understanding of generative AI's limitations and risks
• Their aptitude for supervising and validating AI-produced results
• Their adaptability to rapidly evolving tools

Hybrid Work: The Established Norm

In 2026, the remote work debate is largely settled in Quebec: 65% of Quebec companies offer hybrid work arrangements (source: Chambre de commerce du Montreal metropolitain). This model has become a decisive criterion for tech candidates.

Observed Models

• Structured hybrid (3 days office / 2 days home): the most common model, adopted by the majority of large companies
• Flexible hybrid: the number of office days is left to the discretion of the employee or team. Favoured by startups and tech companies
• Fully remote: still a minority, but growing, particularly for highly specialized positions or candidates outside the greater metropolitan area
• Full return to office: increasingly rare and associated with heightened recruitment difficulties

Consequences for Employers

Companies that mandate a full-time return to office face a significant competitive disadvantage. Our data shows that job postings offering hybrid work receive on average 40% more qualified applications than postings requiring full-time presence.

Technology Priorities for H2 2026

Three major priorities are emerging for the second half of the year:

1. Cybersecurity

With the proliferation of cyberattacks targeting Quebec companies, cybersecurity remains the number one priority. Companies are investing in:

• Recruiting security analysts and architects
• Upgrading security infrastructure
• Ongoing training for existing teams
• Compliance certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001)

2. AI/ML Integration

Beyond experimentation, companies are moving to concrete AI integration in their processes. This generates strong demand for profiles capable of:

• Deploying AI models in production
• Integrating AI into existing workflows
• Measuring and optimizing ROI of AI initiatives
• Training business teams on AI tool usage

3. AI Governance

The question of AI governance is gaining importance. Companies are seeking professionals who can:

• Define ethical AI usage policies
• Ensure compliance with emerging regulations
• Manage risks related to algorithmic bias
• Establish audit frameworks for AI systems

Salary Trends in H1 2026

Tech salaries in Quebec continued their upward trajectory in the first half. For a complete analysis of salary grids, read our article on tech salaries in Montreal in 2026.

The most significant increases concern:

• AI architects: +12 to 18% compared to 2025
• DevOps/cloud engineers: +8 to 12%
• Cybersecurity analysts: +10 to 15%
• Senior full-stack developers: +5 to 8%

Forecast for H2 2026

Here are our predictions for the second half of the year:

1. Accelerated AI recruitment: demand for AI profiles will continue to grow, driven by the increasing maturity of enterprise AI projects
2. Sustained salary pressure: as long as the talent shortage persists, salaries will continue to rise, particularly for specialized profiles
3. Hybrid work consolidation: the hybrid model will stabilize as the undisputed norm of Quebec's tech market
4. Rise of AI governance: positions related to AI ethics and governance will emerge as a new standalone category
5. Immigration as a lever: facing local shortages, international recruitment will intensify, supported by new immigration programs

To understand the roots of the talent shortage and possible solutions, read our article on the tech labour shortage in Quebec.

VALO Recrutement: Your Tech Market Watch

At VALO Recrutement, we closely monitor market trends to offer our clients informed guidance. Our 18% fee on gross annual salary gives you access to our market expertise, our network of qualified candidates, and an optimized recruitment process.

Explore our current job openings or contact us to anticipate your recruitment needs for the second half of 2026.