The purpose of this essay is to stimulate public discussion about how Canadians can respond creatively to the challenges posed by unprecedented change and uncertainty in their working lives. The future of work is approached by integrating and assessing Canadian evidence about employment trends, public attitudes about work, and new developments in organizations and management. The authors also critically review the burgeoning [largely American] literature on the future of work. The final analysis provides new empirically grounded insights on two questions: Where is work in Canada headed and what are the economic and social forces shaping these trends? and What new policy directions should be considered as we contemplate alternative visions of work in the 21st century?