What is the legal age to work in Canada?
The legal age to work in Canada depends on the province, industry and type of work. Some jobs for youth may require a work permit and parent/guardian consent regardless of immigration status, such as jobs in entertainment. It is best to check the employment standards in the province or territory where you wish to work.
How do I find work in Canada?
After getting your SIN, the next step is to look for job opportunities. For this task, help is at hand: There are many government-funded agencies and non-profit organizations that offer free job search services, such as finding job postings and job boards (such as the Government of Canada’s Job Bank), resumé writing and interview practice. Some agencies even offer services in different languages. To help newcomers improve their proficiency in Canada’s two official languages—English and French—there are agencies that offer free language classes.
What information can potential employers ask for?
You are not required to share personal information, such as your birthday, home address or SIN, when applying for jobs. In Canada, human rights laws prohibit discrimination in hiring and employment. For example, employers should not ask for information that’s not relevant to your ability to do the job (such as race, religious beliefs, gender identity, etc.).
Unfortunately, scammers often target job seekers, particularly newcomers. Learn how to identify job scams, and be wary of websites that ask for personal information or money to match you with employers. If you’re not sure if a job board is legitimate, ask a government or non-profit job search agency.
What is included in a job offer?
A typical job offer includes details such as scope of work, remuneration (salary or wages), terms, sick days, vacation and benefits. Before you agree to a job offer, you may want to ask a job search agency to review it with you, to make sure that the terms and payment are fair. This is part of their free services.
You have a job—what are the next steps?
If you don’t already have a Canadian bank account, now is a good time to open one. In Canada, most jobs are paid by direct deposit—your salary will automatically be paid into your bank account.
You can open a bank account even before you expect a job offer—at some banks, even before you’re in Canada. You do not need money up front, but as in most countries, you’ll need one or two original (not copied) pieces of select identification (ID). One of these should include your photo and date of birth. Another ID should show the address of your residence (for example, an electricity or credit card bill). Government-issued IDs, such as a passport or driver’s licence, are preferred.
Pick a bank wisely. Find out what products and services a bank offers, what fees it charges, how much interest it pays on deposits, and how easily you can access your money.