Canada : Job market

What are my chances of getting a job?

Canada is experiencing a skills shortage in several industries, and employers may view British nationals with the appropriate skills and experience as a valuable resource. However, the graduate labour market is very competitive, and the current recession is contributing to a challenging climate for both Canadian and foreign jobseekers. British and EU nationals interested in working in Canada are advised to evaluate their interests, identify their skills and target sectors in which there are skills shortages. Technical, scientific and specialised business skills are particularly relevant.

• Typical problems encountered: high level of competition from home graduates, visa restrictions, a rising unemployment rate, lack of labour market contacts and networking, provincial or territorial licences for regulated professions such as medicine and engineering, accreditation of foreign credentials, fluency in French (for employment in the province of Quebec). 
• How to improve your chances: wait a few years after graduation and gain relevant skills and experience in order to be eligible for skilled worker opportunities, and bring all relevant documents outlining educational and work experience in order to facilitate the process of accreditation.
• Language requirements: fluency in English or French (Quebec).

Where can I work?

• Major industries: trade, finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, professional, scientific and technical services, education, health and social care, accommodation and food services.
• Recent growth areas: service industries and information technology. 
• Industries in decline: primary sector, manufacturing and utilities.
• Shortage occupations: health sector (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical technologists and technicians, nurse aides), management occupations, trade (especially home builders and renovators), occupations related to the oil and gas sector, IT, occupations in social science and government service (including university teachers). 
• Major companies: Royal Bank of Canada, Manulife Financial, Bank of Nova Scotia, Toronto-Dominion Bank, EnCana, Sun Life Financial Services, Bank of Montreal, Canadian Imperial Bank, BCE, Imperial Oil.
• Search for more companies: Kompas, Canadian Chamber of Commerce, Yellow Pages Canada. 
• Major cities: Ottawa (capital), Toronto (largest), Montreal, Vancouver.

What’s it like working in Canada?

• Average working hours: 35 - 40 hour working week.
• Holidays: statutory holidays vary across provinces, although there are nine that are celebrated at the national level - e.g. Victoria Day (Monday before 25 May), Canada Day (1 July), Labour Day (first Monday in September) and Thanksgiving Day (second Monday of October). Annual leave is a minimum is two weeks per year, with an increase to three weeks after five consecutive years spent with the same employer. 
• Average graduate starting salary: the average starting salary for graduates with an Honours degree is $48,885, ranging from $43,000 for health services to $60,000 for investment banking. (The Canadian Association of Career Educators and Employers (CACEE)) 
• Tax rates: foreign workers are subject to Canadian income tax rates, although special regulations apply for newcomers (immigrants) during their first tax year. Most individuals file only one tax return for the year because the government of Canada also collects taxes on behalf of the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). See the Canada Revenue Agency for more details. 
• Working practices and customs: business etiquette in Canada is very similar to the UK, both in terms of greetings and communication styles as well as business dress and meetings. A handshake is the standard greeting both upon meeting and departure. Personal topics, such as religious beliefs, politics and money are generally not discussed with co-workers – at least not initially.