[dgudkov]

>they all have massive contractor workforces (including consultants) that don't have the same benefits as anyone else

I can't tell for many F500 companies, but IT contractors in large Canadian banks in Toronto are typically paid at a significantly higher hourly rate (sometimes 70-100% higher) than equivalent FTEs. It outweighs the lack of FTE benefits up to the point where some FTEs deliberately switch to contracting.

I guess the labor market here has been able to balance demand/supply and pricing.