An Introduction to Working in Canada
Canada has many opportunities to offer people who want
to work. As a Canadian employee, you are protected by
laws that govern work hours, wages and conditions. These
are set by the province in which you live.
Working Facts
Here are some useful facts and figures about working
in Canada.
Average salary — The average
annual salary in 2005 was just over $38,000, according
to Statistics Canada.
Average work week — A full-time
“work week” generally means 35 to 40 hours
of work spread over five days. However, this can vary
according to occupation, company and province.
Minimum wage — Canadian workers
are guaranteed a minimum hourly wage, which varies by
province. In June 2007, the general minimum wage for
adults ranged from $6.50 in New Brunswick to $8.50 in
Nunavut. Depending on the employer and the occupation,
hourly wages may be higher than this amount.
Vacations — Most Canadians start
out by receiving 10 vacation days a year. After a certain
number of years with the same employer, this amount
may rise to 15 or 20 days.
Holidays — There are 10 national
holidays, and most provinces have an additional provincial
holiday. Workers are also entitled to observe religious
holidays associated with their faith.
Benefits — Many employers offer
supplemental health benefits to full-time employees,
which cover costs not included in provincial healthcare
plans, such as dental care and prescription glasses,
as well as life and disability insurance.
Types of Employment
Specific working hours and entitlements vary from province
to province. Workers generally fall into the following
categories:
- Full-time permanent workers are
those who work more than a minimum number of hours
per week, as defined by the province. These employees
are entitled to the benefits set out by employment
and labour laws for that province.
- Part-time workers work fewer hours
and may not be entitled to the same benefits as full-time
employees.
- Contract workers are hired for
a specified amount of time, such as three months or
a year, or to complete a specific project.
- Self-employed people and small business
owners may provide services for a fee or
run their own company.
Regulated Occupations
To work in certain occupations, you must have a licence.
About 20% of Canadians work in these regulated occupations.
There are two main types:
- Regulated professions, such as
doctors, nurses and lawyers.
- Apprenticeable (skilled) trades,
such as plumbers and electricians.
It’s a good idea to find out if your occupation
falls under one
of these classifications.
If it does, you can find out about licensing, certification,
registration, and assessment requirements and procedures
by checking the website for the regulatory body for
your occupation in the province or territory in which
you plan to live.
Non-regulated Occupations
If you are among the 80% of Canadians who work in a
non-regulated occupation, your qualifications for a
particular field will depend on your credentials and
experience.
You can arrange through the provincial governments
and many colleges and universities to have your credentials
assessed. They will review your degrees, diplomas and
work experience and see how they compare with Canadian
standards in your field.
For more information about the Canadian labour market,
finding a job in Canada and regulated occupations, go
to the federal government’s Going
to Canada website.
To see a list of professions and trades, find out
more about occupational credentials and obtain contact
information for professional and trade associations,
visit the Canadian
Information Centre for International Credentials.
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for the general guidance and benefit of our clients.
This website is for informational purposes only and is
not intended to provide specific advice. See
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