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Work in Canada

AuthorProspects Editor
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With one of the world's strongest and most diverse economies, Canada offers high living standards, a multicultural society, and extensive employment opportunities, which are ideal for graduates seeking job stability and long-term career prospects

Known for its natural beauty, Canada is home to the world's longest coastline, Niagara Falls, the Rocky Mountains, maple syrup and ice hockey. But did you know that the second-largest country in the world also boasts a low crime rate and is regularly featured among the best and most peaceful places to live?

The fact that English is the most widely spoken language (with French predominant in the province of Quebec) is another huge draw for expatriates. However, if you can speak French, this increases your chances of a permanent position, as the government has made this a renewed priority in its immigration system.

Popular Canadian destinations for those seeking work in Canada include Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, and the fast-growing tech regions of:

  • British Columbia
  • Ontario
  • Quebec.

Jobs in Canada

Despite its 6.5% unemployment rate (as of February 2026), Canada still has a fundamentally stable economy, with a working population of 22.7 million.

Its major industries include:

  • chemicals
  • food products
  • natural gas
  • petroleum
  • wood and paper products.

While overall growth is low, the following areas have been bright spots for the economy:

  • advanced manufacturing
  • clean/renewable energy
  • digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)
  • healthcare and social services
  • transport and logistics.

Some of the biggest organisations in Canada include:

  • Alimentation Couche-Tard (food and drink)
  • Brookfield Asset Management (BAM) (finance)
  • Enbridge (oil and gas)
  • George Weston Ltd (food and drink)
  • Loblaw Companies Ltd (retail)
  • Magna International (automotive)
  • Manulife (insurance)
  • Royal Bank of Canada (banking)
  • Shopify (retail and ecommerce)
  • Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) (banking).

Popular graduate jobs

  • Accountant
  • Electrical engineer
  • HR manager
  • Merchandiser
  • Registered nurse.

Skills shortages

In 2026, the Canadian government updated its priority occupations list for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, with express entry given to overseas workers with skills in specific in-demand areas, including:

  • Business - senior managers, human resources managers, purchasing managers, financial analysts, advertising and marketing managers.
  • Construction/trades - electricians, construction workers, welders, plumbers.
  • Engineering - civil and environmental engineers.
  • Information technology - software developers and programmers, data analysts, and scientists.
  • Healthcare - doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lab technicians and social services roles.

How to get a job in Canada

Employers typically consider Canadian nationals before foreign workers, but job opportunities are available to all, and most are posted online. You can start your job search at:

Networking often proves useful, so make use of any connections you have in the country, such as family, friends or work colleagues.

You'll apply for jobs in a similar way to how you would in the UK, but Canadian employers will require either an online form or a résumé rather than the UK standard CV and cover letter. A résumé is designed to be more concise and tailored to each job application. A writing guide, along with downloadable examples, is available at Settlement.Org.

If successful, your application often leads to an interview.

Summer jobs

The majority of seasonal jobs in Canada are in summer camps or hospitality, and you can find opportunities at:

You'll need an International Experience Canada (IEC) working holiday visa to work in the country during the summer.

Other forms of casual work include working at a vineyard or maple syrup farm, or in the tourism industry at ski resorts.

If your budget allows, you could also consider volunteer projects/placements in the country. This is a great way to add experience to your CV.

Formal programmes are run by:

Teaching jobs

If you hold a Bachelors degree, are fluent in English and have hands-on teaching experience, becoming an English tutor may be the job for you.

Given that English is one of Canada's official languages, demand for international English teachers is relatively low. Canadian citizens are at a greater advantage in filling teaching positions.

However, there are numerous opportunities in Canada's larger cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL). Be warned, though, competition to secure one of these posts is tough.

For those in the UK and Ireland with French proficiency at A2 Level, the British Council offers the Teach English as a Language Assistant in Canada (Quebec) programme. You'll spend September to May teaching English to students in primary and secondary schools as well as adult education centres.

Other TEFL opportunities include:

Internships

An internship is the perfect way for you to immerse yourself in Canadian culture, enhance your skills, and prove yourself to future employers in an exciting environment.

In order to complete an internship in Canada, you'll need to secure the correct work permit or visa (see Canadian visas for more information).

If you're looking for an internship in Canada, here are some good places to start:

You can also find paid work experience opportunities by visiting the Government of Canada - Youth jobs and internships.

Canadian visas

Most people need either a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to Canada. To find out which applies to you, visit the Government of Canada - Check if you need a visa. On this page, you can answer a few questions to assess your eligibility.

Anyone travelling to Canada must do so with the correct travel documents, and must be able to prove that they are:

  • financially capable of supporting their trip
  • a law-abiding citizen
  • medically fit.

You will usually need either an open or employer-specific permit to work in Canada, and you can find out which one best suits your needs at the Government of Canada - Find out if you need a work permit.

If you're planning to be in Canada for more than a few years, you might consider applying for permanent residency.

The rules and regulations surrounding residency are subject to change, so to ensure you have the latest information, check with the Government of Canada - Immigration and citizenship.

Language requirements

Canada is officially a bilingual country. It is home to both English and French-speaking residents. Fluency in English will be enough to navigate around the vast majority of Canadian cities and provinces. Quebec is the only officially French-speaking province, although you'll likely be exposed to both languages wherever you're based.

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to prove your proficiency via an accredited online test. The Government of Canada approves the following two English tests:

Explaining your qualifications to employers

As the Canadian higher education system closely resembles the UK system, many employers will have no trouble understanding your qualifications.

If your job is regulated, you'll need to have your credentials assessed. Regulatory bodies vary between provinces and territories. If your job isn't regulated, the eligibility of your qualifications is usually at your employer's discretion.

For more information, visit the:

Working life in Canada

You'll be expected to work an average of 40 hours a week, Monday to Friday, though this may vary depending on the company and role.

Workers are entitled to at least two weeks of annual leave after one year of paid work. This increases to three after five years' service.

There are 13 public holidays in Canada, including:

  • New Year
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday (mainly applicable to federal workers)
  • Victoria Day
  • Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (Quebec only)
  • Canada Day
  • Civic Holiday (excluding Quebec)
  • Labour Day
  • National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Remembrance Day
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day.

Nine or ten of these public holidays will be paid, depending on whether they are celebrated nationally or in particular provinces and territories.

According to relocation specialists White & Company, the average Canadian salary is CAD$68,250 (£37,030) per year.

The minimum wage in any profession is set by each individual province.

Generally speaking, the cost of living in Canada is similar to that of the UK and the USA. The UK does have higher housing and rent prices, as well as energy and utility bills. However, Canada has higher food prices and childcare costs.

While Toronto and Vancouver are considered expensive places to live, other areas such as Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Montreal are less so.

For the 2026 tax year, Canadian federal income tax uses a progressive system with the following rates:

  • 14% on taxable income that is $58,523 or less, plus
  • 20.5% on taxable income over $58,523 up to $117,045, plus
  • 26% on taxable income over $117,045 up to $181,440, plus
  • 29% on taxable income over $181,440 up to $258,482, plus
  • 33% on taxable income over $258,482.

To learn more about the Canadian tax system, see the Government of Canada - Tax rates and income brackets for individuals.

Find out more

Written by Prospects Editor

February 2026