A new Angus Reid survey shows that one in three Canadians have done some kind of informal work in the past five years.

The survey shows that millions of adults across Canada are earning their living by doing “gigs” or informal work.

The new study finds that one-in-five Canadian workers, or 17 per cent, are currently engaged in the gig economy, while another 17 per cent worked gigs at some point the past five years but are no longer doing so.

The most common type of freelance work includes office-based projects such as graphic design or computer programming, as well as for-hire handiwork, babysitting and childcare.

When asked, Canadians are more likely to say that the gig economy is more of a bad trend than a good one for workers.

However, those who rely on the gig economy for their financial well-being—because they are unable to find steady work elsewhere—are more positive than negative.